Reflection In the beginning... As I look all the way back to when I first started my Masters Degree in Reading classes in 2005, I’m reminded of the eager feeling that I’ve always had about learning. I was always a good student but until I was a Junior in college, I don’t think I would have considered myself a person that LOVES learning. Now, I consider myself a lifelong learner. The excitement I felt each time that I went to the Florida Gulf Coast Universitybookstore to pick out my new books or when I got my syllabus for my courses was something that most people (my husband included) just couldn’t grasp.
As I reflect upon my time at Florida Gulf Coast University, I’m overwhelmed with the knowledge that I’ve gaining and the skills that I’ve added to my “bag of tricks.” I used to think that I was a GREAT teacher, and I’m sure that I was good…but now, I know that I can be GREAT! I know what it takes to make an exceptional teacher and I have felt challenged by each of my professors to reach that point. Though I know that I will always have more learning and growing to do, I also know that I have made a few thousand steps in the right direction. I have certainly made some mistakes in the past as a teacher. What would a reflection be, without recognizing areas that need improvement? The things that I’ve realized I need to work on the most are: -Offering students choices when selecting reading materials - Differentiating instruction - Incorporating technology - Home-school communication journals These are all things that I will work on with the many resources that I now have available to me! In summary, as I began the program I was a brand new teacher who thought I knew all there was to know about being a teacher. I loved my job and worked until 8pm in my classroom to make things perfect. Now, as I come to the conclusion of the master’s in reading program, I know that I am a fantastic teacher. I’m able to recognize my weaknesses and work on them. I feel that I am better able to serve my students, without working 12 hour days. I’ve learned to work smarter, not harder. I’ve learned to lean on my co-workers. I’ve learned to listen to students and meet them where they are. Most of all, I’ve learned what it takes to make a lifelong learner out of each kiddo that walks through my door. |
Projection And the learning continues... I really enjoy looking to the future and I have always considered myself to be a “forward thinker.” As I mentioned, I have become a life-long learner. That being said, I absolutely plan on taking my education one step further. I plan on starting my Doctorate in Educational Technology in 2015. I need to give my family a break. I would love to have the opportunity to teach undergraduate education courses. There is nothing that I find more enticing than the opportunity to teach those that would like to teach! I have even planned out my curriculum and projects if I were ever given the opportunity to teach an undergraduate reading, language arts, technology, or classroom management course.
In the meantime, I plan on trying to find an adjunct teaching position at Florida Gulf Coast University or Edison College. I will continue teaching my high school science students online with Florida Virtual School and I’ll be sure to implement the many things that I’ve learned into my everyday lessons. Some items in particular that I have learned and will use in my online environment are: -Blogs, wikis, websites -digital stories -electronic word walls -opportunities for remediation with content area reading -one-on-one help sessions About three years ago I began writing children’s books. I have two books completed in what I hope to be a series of picture books about celebrating each other’s differences and learning about everyone’s individual strengths. I’ve decided that now that I’ve finished my master’s in reading I will have a lot more time on my hands. This time will now be put toward finishing my books and finding a publisher. The prospect of becoming a children’s author is very exciting to me. I can’t wait to see where my life’s journey takes me next… |
