What will I do create change?

In response to Karen Kallas' blog post.

   Mrs. Kallas has inquired us to think about us, 

as future educators, having the opportunity to 

influence the direction that education takes. 

Like she states in her post, this is a task that 

takes vision and determination. 

She directed us to take a look at 8 Things to Look for in Todays Classroom visual and give our own inputs on the matter. One of the things that I resonate with most I would have to say is the concept of Critical Thinkers. Critical thinking is that mode of thinking about any subject, content, or problem, in which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing it. However, the one thing on the diagram that I feel most uncomfortable with is perhaps the Reflection. Based on my own way of learning, I do not feel that writing down a reflection over what it is u have learned helps in any way for the student other than giving them another grade in the grade book. Again, this is just my opinion for how I learn and experience I have had in the past.

Throughout my education a few of the items on the list that were seemingly omitted on my past teachers' lists have been letting the students have a voice, letting them be critical thinkers, and connected learning. In my future classrooms I plan to be everything and more for my kids. To do all the things that my own teachers didn't.

My Own Teacher of the Year

In response to Karen Kallas' Blog Post:




Through the years of being being a student I have seen the likes of many different teachers. Some good, some bad, and some unforgettable. If I were 
to chose who my overall teacher of the year this year I would have to proudly nominate my fourth grade english teacher, Mr. Tribble.  

My Teach Tomorrow Summit Highlight

In answer to Karen Kallas’ blog post.


About two weeks ago I got the amazing opportunity to experience the TAFE Teach Tomorrow Summit at the beautiful Texas Tech campus. All of us that went had loads of fun and, for the most part, each did very well in competition as well! Throughout the ceremonies chapters from all over Texas had the privilege to listen to many speakers and in my opinion, my favorite highlight was just that. Two speakers came up onto the stage under the name of Cometry. These two were not only hilarious, but also delivered really hard hitting poetry that was pure ingenious.
Here is one of the poems that they presented:
Cometry- Michael Jackson Poetry




Thank You Letter:

Dear Dr. Anderson,

      Thank you so much for all of your support in the TAFE program as we represented BCTAL at the State Teach Tomorrow Summit. It was an all round amazing experience, and we couldn't have done it without all of your help. We are all very grateful for your financial in covering our transportation, hotel, registration, meal fees, and many more.

Sincerely,
Jourdan Ramirez
Education and Training Intern

How Do You Measure Up?

   This week I received a graded evaluation from my teacher and I think that she was being a little to nice when grading me. I mean, I guess she was being honest but there is still a bunch of things that I am lacking in the classroom. Other than that, I agree with everything else she put.

    Mrs, Curtis didn't leave me any comments on the evaluation, but she told me in class that she enjoys me being in the classroom with her and the kids. also that she thinks my reason for wanting to teach in a Deaf Ed classroom is amazing.

    The areas I really need to improve on my signing with the kids. In the classroom I've encountered the issue that I have been learning American Sign Language in school, and in the field site they use Sign English. I have been studying and trying to self teach Sign English so there is no confusion with the kids and me signing.

My Plan for the New Year

In response to Mrs. Kallas' Blog Post.

 

          This new year I'm hoping to be a whole new year of change. Ready to get out of school and start off college. Everything is planned, set, and all that's left now is to take my SAT and submit!

One of my three goals would have to be to get a great score on my SAT! To score so well that it will be no question whether or not I can get into a 4-year school. Hopefully a 1500 or higher! :)

The second goal would have to be becoming a better friend by being more open and not so closed off. Become less introverted and let some of my favorite people in the world in. Ways to remember that is to not to not take them for granted, by giving them my time and personal attention.

Becoming a better time manager is the third goal on my list. Time is an invaluable asset and should be spent wisely. Learning where to expend energy, and where not to, has innumerable benefits, including less stress, more free time, fewer mistakes and improved production.
Forbes writer Jeff Boss suggests spending a week making a list of everyday distractions – the things that occupy time throughout the day but serve little purpose. Then eliminate them, or set aside an hour every day for tending to those diversions.

I plan to complete these goal in the new year by

remaining determined and stubborn-headed to get

what I want to get done, done.



Humor in the Classroom

In response to Mrs. Kallas' Blog Post.

Humor in the classroom is always a valuable thing to have! It helps you to stand out next to other teachers in a students eyes, and can also help you to have a closer relationship with your students. Students love a teacher who is light and relatable to them, and I think think that humor is the ticket to do just that!

Whenever I was in the 7th grade I had this AWESOME

 english teacher named Mr. Tribble, and he was one of 

those teachers who made you feel truly important. He 

would talk to the class and almost every student as if he 

was equal to us, instead of looking down on us. His 

philosophy was that the only true way to learn was to do 

something silly along with it.

One week when we were reading Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury he thought it would be fun to go buy a bunch of firefighter halloween costumes for the entire class, and go outside a burn a few books like in the story. 

His class was the most fun I have ever had in a school environment, and he is one of the biggest influences I have had in wanting to become a teacher. 

Posters in the classroom are critical and they really catch a students attention and they also let them in on who you really are on the first day!



You can find more hilarious teaching photos at Blabberize.com, and there are many great blogs and articles over the same matter that are really interesting! 

What would you do?

Addressing the topic posted by Karen Kallas, Scenario 4.

The scenario that is open for discussion is what to do in the case of forgetting

 your field site clothing, and what to do in that instance.

 

 

You should NEVER go to your field site without

 the proper attire and name badge on your person!

Not even if you think your EAT instructor wont

see and your teacher and principal wont mind. The       

choice of going to your field site wearing clothing

against the dress code isn't a good way to present

                  yourself or your school.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, in the end, it is just better to contact your

field site teacher, or your EAT instructor, inform

them of the problem and see what your options are.

Do not just go in the hopes of not getting caught.