I regret to inform the readers of this post that I will not be continuing in the GWU School of Education next Spring. I made this decision pretty early in the semester due to financial constraints preventing me from staying at GWU for the extra year and a half needed to change my major to Elementary Education as a junior. What I did not realize at the beginning of the semester as I made this decision was how bittersweet the last few class meetings of Educ 250 would be...
I am looking forward to finishing my degree in Missiology with a minor in Biblical Studies and bringing the work of my religion professors to fruition, and I am looking forward to going back to school for a Masters in Teaching after I graduate from GWU... but most of all I am looking forward to the day that I get to stand in front of my first classroom as Ms. Hackworth.
Even though I am not able to finish my teacher education at Gardner-Webb, I believe that my future classroom will be better because of the semester I have spent in Educ 250. While I learned basic things such as lesson planning and the NCSCS that I will probably learn about again in grad-school, I learned the importance of professionalism and diversity, the influence of technology and internet in schools, and the impact of the integration of current events, diversity, economics, and personal relationships in core classes. I think that the thing that stood out to me the most this semester was the philosophy of education we were forced to write. And yes, I mean forced. I honestly thought it was rather useless upon its first introduction at the beginning of the semester, but through answering the thorough questions provided in the rubric and feedback I received from Dr. Parker, I was able to deeply reflect on my reason for being a teacher. I long to provide shelter and structure for my students, especially in an age where divorce, step-parents, and single parents are so common. It has been my experience that transitioning into those situations cause students to feel unstable, which can lead to the student falling behind. I want to provide an environment in which my students feel secure and stable enough to continue their education without hindrance. I did not realize that this was one of my primary motivations in teaching until I completed the philosophy of education.
I will always remember the lessons I learned about education, students, and myself in Education 250. Thank you to everyone who contributed to my personal and professional growth this semester! And best of luck to my fellow classmates as they progress through this program.
I am looking forward to finishing my degree in Missiology with a minor in Biblical Studies and bringing the work of my religion professors to fruition, and I am looking forward to going back to school for a Masters in Teaching after I graduate from GWU... but most of all I am looking forward to the day that I get to stand in front of my first classroom as Ms. Hackworth.
Even though I am not able to finish my teacher education at Gardner-Webb, I believe that my future classroom will be better because of the semester I have spent in Educ 250. While I learned basic things such as lesson planning and the NCSCS that I will probably learn about again in grad-school, I learned the importance of professionalism and diversity, the influence of technology and internet in schools, and the impact of the integration of current events, diversity, economics, and personal relationships in core classes. I think that the thing that stood out to me the most this semester was the philosophy of education we were forced to write. And yes, I mean forced. I honestly thought it was rather useless upon its first introduction at the beginning of the semester, but through answering the thorough questions provided in the rubric and feedback I received from Dr. Parker, I was able to deeply reflect on my reason for being a teacher. I long to provide shelter and structure for my students, especially in an age where divorce, step-parents, and single parents are so common. It has been my experience that transitioning into those situations cause students to feel unstable, which can lead to the student falling behind. I want to provide an environment in which my students feel secure and stable enough to continue their education without hindrance. I did not realize that this was one of my primary motivations in teaching until I completed the philosophy of education.
I will always remember the lessons I learned about education, students, and myself in Education 250. Thank you to everyone who contributed to my personal and professional growth this semester! And best of luck to my fellow classmates as they progress through this program.
I am sad to here that you will not be continuing with us. But I am so glad that you know you are meant to be an educator. I am so happy that you've gotten to experience the sweet sweet sound of Dr.Parkers "Somebody be brilliant". I am glad that you are going to continue your education, and always know that everything happens for a reason. Rome wasn't built in a day, but they were building bricks every hour. Good luck on you path sugar! I know you're destined for greatness. :)
ReplyDeleteAbigail, I, too, enjoyed the time we were able to spend together this semester. I am thrilled that you have already seen how you can transfer ideas and lessons from this class to any other class. Thank you for always being diligent and dedicated to submitting the best work possible.
ReplyDelete