From the time I was little, I have never turned down a challenge. When I began my journey as a teacher, I knew it would be a difficult career that required determination and hard work. It would be challenging. My studies at Michigan State University always pushed me to think outside the box, try new things, and never be afraid to accept a challenge. The first day in my own classroom was nothing like what I thought it would be; it was better! Everyday of teaching presents a demanding moment where I must rise to the challenge. Now that I have finished my Master of Arts in Education degree in Literacy Education, now what does my future hold? I plan on My future goals involve becoming a leader in my school, incorporating technology into my literacy instruction, and finding innovative ways to address the needs of all my students. As a teacher, I am constantly learning and striving to teach the most innovative lessons to help my students be successful in today’s society. These goals will give me the tools I need to be the best teacher I can be.
Throughout my life, I have always defined leaders as those who go above and beyond the expectations of a group. I have discovered through my courses, that being a leader is being someone who listens to others, presents new innovative ideas, and is not afraid to tackle a challenging task. Teachers all around me have excellent ideas, but many are hesitant to share what these great lessons with others. I want to continue to learn how to build relationships with colleagues in order to encourage the sharing of ideas and innovative practices with one another. Every year New Jersey Education Association has a Teacher’s Convention in November where many different speakers and workshops are available for teachers. This convention is offering a workshop titled “Teachers to Teachers: Coaching and Learning” where the goal is “to learn how to create a school culture of coaching and learning where teachers lead professional learning by tapping into the expertise within their schools” (NJEA Convention Manual 57). This will give me the tools to foster and showcase the talent within my school. When teachers are working together, we are developing better lessons to help them succeed in our society.
Today’s students are constantly utilizing technology to communicate, document their life, and showcase the world around them. I incorporate technology in my classroom, but I want to incorporate BYOD (Bring your own device) into my classroom allowing students to utilize their cell phone during instruction. There are apps the students can download to take assessments, help them analyze a text, and to present what they are learning. There are challenges with students bringing their cell phone into the classroom, and I have discovered two blogs that showcase ways to utilize this technology in the classroom. The first blog, The EdTech Round Up that provides descriptions of apps and lesson plans where you can utilize technology. This does not only address utilizing cell phones in the classroom, but other technology as well. The second blog, Baker’s B.Y.O.D- Bring your own Device, Dog, & Deconstruction of Literature provides examples on how to utilize this technology in the classroom as well as feedback on how it worked in the classroom. Both of these blogs will provide me with resources to help me successfully incorporate cell phones into the classroom.
In the classroom, every student needs something different to handle the challenges presented to them. It is essential that I am continuing to adapt my instructions to help all students succeed. I differentiated the way I present the material, the different types of content, and the way students showcase what they are learning. As a teacher, I need to constantly look for new ways to ensure all students are learning. A book that I am going to read is called The Differentiated Classroom By Carol Ann Tomlinson showcases way to have a differentiated classroom. This book will give me strategies to implement in my classroom to improve student success and engagement. Not every student learns the same way and at the same rate. Overall as a teacher it is important that I am constantly learning and growing as a teacher. Teaching is not easy and presents daily challenges that I must address. These three goals of my will provide me with new techniques that will help my students for their future. In the future can I be the best teacher I can be? Yes, Challenge Accepted.