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Throughout the semester I learned that becoming an elementary teacher will not be as simple as I once expected. There is a lot of dedication and passion involved when moving into the education field. This semester I was able to learn what it means to be a Dominican Educator through field experience, lessons in class, and experiences outside of class. Additionally, I was able to distinguish the qualities of a Dominican Educator I believe I already possess, and which qualities I need to improve on. To be a Dominican Educator, you must acquire the aspects of a scholar, a leader, and a person of service. As a scholar, you must demonstrate critical thinking and the concept of a growth mindset. Having a growth mindset means you believe your talents …show more content…
As a future educator, I am willing to learn and improve. Although there were assignments that I found challenging, I was willing to ask for assistance and work my best in overcoming and completing those assignments. An assignment that I found challenging this semester was having to write a book review on “Inside Mrs. B’s Classroom”, by Leslie Baldacci. Although the reading itself was not difficult, what I found challenging was having to time manage when I would read the book, and having to write my first essay in APA style. However, I knew that assignment would benefit me in the future in the manner of learning how to write a paper in APA style and practicing my time management skills. Considering the qualities of a leader, I believe I succeeded in my field experience and my collaboration skills. In my field experience I was able to learn the importance of listening to every student and the teaching of procedures. Furthermore, this semester I was able to work in collaboration with my peers. For instance, in my seminar class we had a group presentation, and we were able to excel in organizing and presenting. Additionally, I was also able to work in collaboration to create and present the micro-teaching lesson. These assignments were able to be completed not only by my peer’s collaboration, but my input and effort as well. Lastly, as a person of …show more content…
Although I have been able to improve and grow in my critical thinking throughout the semester, I still need to practice throughout the rest of my time at Dominican University. I hope to improve my critical thinking skills, specifically in my future English 102 class, as well as in any other classes where I am required to write essays. When looking at the leadership aspect of being a Dominican Educator, I need to improve my public speaking skills. Even though I accept the responsibilities of being a future educator, I must progress in my confidence. Through increasing my confidence, it will allow public speaking to become less challenging. The way I hope to improve my public speaking skills is by taking workshops on leadership and public speaking. Also, I will attempt to take opportunities that allow me to public speak because the further I practice, the less nervous I will become as time goes on. Lastly, when considering the aspect of a person of service, I hope to progress my professional behavior. When having to teach the micro-teaching lesson, I used unprofessional language when referring to the class. Instead of referring to the class as “class” or “students”, I said “you guys”. Despite the fact I was not purposely attempting to use informal language, if I were in a real classroom, it would not have been acceptable. Because I use informal language so
Introduction Teachers have become gateway keepers to providing education to students. Over the span of several years, teachers have been criticized for being unprepared, unable to adapt to different learning styles, and are increasing the number of students who aren’t learning. With this achievement gap increasing, it brings up the idea of what the education system is doing wrong and what improvements it needs to make. The education system needs to be redesigned to strengthen its curriculum, it’s connection to both practice and theory, and the idea of a powerful educator. The first aspect of this memo contains an interview with Diana Regalado De Santiago, a math teacher in the Socorro Independent School District for the past six years.
An outstanding educator possesses unique qualities that set him or her apart from others in the field. Ask any student about a favorite teacher and listen intently as he or she describes that person with a smile. Ask a parent of a child who will enter first grade in the fall about the teacher choice for their child. The parent would describe the outstanding educator in their desire for that special teacher. The qualities of an outstanding educator are easily recognized by those whose lives they touch, shape, and change on a daily basis. It is in this writing piece that they will be described and discussed.
Growing up, my parents never expected perfection but expected that I try to accomplish my best. The effort I’ve put forth in learning has been reflected in my grades throughout my high school career. I’ve entered myself in vigorous course work such as AP Government and AP English to become well prepared for my college career, all while maintaining a 4.4 grade point average this year. Not only do I engage in AP classes, but up until this year I had no study halls. I wanted my day to be packed full of interesting classes that I would enjoy learning about. My grades and choice of classes prove the effort that I put forth in my learning. Working hard now can only pay off in the future. Learning now creates a well-rounded human being. Working to learn is why I am so dedicated to my studies now.
At this time, I became a group leader in an after-school program for a 3rd-grade class. This was my first time working with children and as imagined, it was a tough transition. The students were Latino and African American, living in poverty stricken neighborhoods with a dysfunctional home life. The program focused on students who were at risk of retention. A large number of students were below average and had been recommended to receive extra academic support. As a result of my time spent working and learning with the students, I choose an educational path.
I am determined to become a teacher not only to teach various skills and academic lessons to student, but also to help guide them to achieve his or her goals in their lives. According to an article in the Black Collegian, by Nat LaCour, “Teaching require enormous patience, and th...
In conclusion I feel that I have gained knowledge that can only be obtained through hands on experience in the classroom. With this experience I changed my assumption about classroom management techniques and have a totally new outlook which will only aid me as a teacher. This will be of great help to me going forward but I feel as a teacher you must be constantly open to learning and improving
I have been a classroom teacher with the same school division (and its legacy divisions) for twenty two years. I have therefore, been an active participant and witness to the multitude of changes and growth that have enveloped the realm of education and my school division. My role in the classroom has mainly included English and Arts instruction at the grade 11 and 12 levels. I have considered it an honor to be one of the last teachers involved in a student’s K-12 education and have deeply recognized this important leadership role, guiding our students by way of instruction and by example, through their final educational stretch and empowering them to be leaders themselves. I feel that I have helped to create a society of learners where students are being constantly challenged, where they experienced meaningful personal and educational growth and were empowered to celebrate their accomplishments whether they were big or small.
Knowing what I can do well is just important as knowing what needs improvement. My strongest attributes are being able to perform under pressure and multitasking. This is necessary to sell products and perform services that benefit the customer. The value of getting the job done correctly and on time correlates to returning customers and repeat business. My competitive advantage over others in the same industry is the high level of service we offer. I don’t just push a product on a client. I listen to what they want and need, make suggestions for the best available solutions; and I also help them with cost savings and environmentally friendly alternatives. One weakness I have and need to work on is public speaking. As I grow in my career and move into managerial leader positions, I will have a lot more opportunities to give speeches. I plan to work on my public speaking skills by practicing and making incremental changes to constantly improve. It’s not a matter of being shy in front of a group. It’s more of a point to be well prepared for the occasion and motivated to do a good job. To stay prepared for opportunities and change, I plan on continuing my education in the business field, and learning as much as possible about my job. I will also need to stay up-to-date with current issues in my external and internal
In today’s world students and adults who can use the power of public speaking are a rare find. Lucas states in chapter one that “the American Management Association asked 2,000 managers and executives to rank the skills most essential in today’s workplace. The top idea, was communication skills” (Lucas, 2012 pg. 5). This statement showes us that college students who have taking public speaking truly have an advantage over those who have
...dless of what I am trying to accomplish. I feel that I am much better now, in persuading someone through my writings; which would definitely come in handy in the future. The responsibility I have gained during this experience is incredible and has taught me to be a much more organized person. During this semester I was taught a process of how to write a paper and organize it. I found that all of these responsibilities have made me realize that I could definitely take the next step forward in my academic career. Each new experience I involve myself in has made me continue to grow and constantly learn something new. I am someone who has never really enjoyed English classes in the past and I when I registered for English 101 I only saw it as a requirement to graduate but I really did enjoy this English course and I know that it was something that was worthwhile for me.
The learned the terminology, student learning, and how to increase student learning in the classroom. I have learned what my true strengths and weaknesses are a future teacher. My two strengths are giving students positive feedback and demonstrating a positive attitude. I prefer to give students positive feedback, rather than negative feedback, due to the fact, students is more likely to perform well in the classroom. I am an optimistic individual, and I like to show and demonstrate to students a positive attitude. On the other hand, my two weaknesses are: assertiveness towards students and not finding my role in the classroom. From time to time, I find it difficult to find my role in the classroom because I want the students to respect me, but not perceive me as their main teacher. Last week, I had a student try to sit too close to me, and I could not find the proper way and words to address to the student to quit the behavior, without hurting the student’s feelings. After this preclinical one experience, I have discovered my strengths and weaknesses as a teacher
My public speaking class has already enhanced my knowledge and my ability to give speeches greatly. I know that with time and experience in public speaking, I will become a more skilled and professional public speaker. I will be sharing my first thoughts about my public speaking class, my strengths and weaknesses as a speaker, the speech I am most proud of so far, the speech that was the most difficult so far, and areas I know I need to improve on in order to be a skilled public speaker. Although I have had previous engagements with public speaking in high and middle school, none can be compared to the nervousness I felt about speaking in college level classes.
My interest in teaching started at a young age. I used to watch my teachers in awe as they were able to find new ways to get their students involved and excited to learn. Their enthusiasm to teach was so inspiring. I would often find myself using that same fervor as I grasped each concept. I, then, was able to relay it to my fellow classmates as a peer tutor. To this day, becoming a teacher is a passion that flows through me. However, my enthusiasm and passion are not the only reasons I would be a good teacher. I aspire to see a student’s ability to grasp the knowledge they never before understood. I aspire to see a student succeed at something they never thought they ever could. I aspire to not only support students with academic skills, but also with life lessons about the value of community, pride in one’s own ethnicity, good citizenship, sportsmanship, and more. I aspire to play a fundamental role in ensuring that all students from all cultures and learning abilities have the opportunity to be guided in a positive learning
As a teacher, I will work to create an environment that will help support the natural abilities of all my students. I will consistently work to on an environment that will allow my students to be in an environment that will be free of distractions. I will strive to teach my students the qualities that will allow them to be responsible individuals for their actions and choices, not only in the classroom, but also at home, and eventually in the world. I will continuously work with parents that will help them develop other virtues that will foster integrity, diligence, responsibility, cooperation, loyalty, fidelity, and respect for the law and human life. I will consistently work at measuring student’s progress and continue to develop more ways for students to gain the knowledge they need to succeed in life. Each student will have my full attention when it comes to resol...
Teaching is a daunting task that I do not intend to take lightly. Becoming a teacher has been a dream of mine for several years. I always knew that teaching would be the career for me, especially when I began working in the school system as a substitute secretary. I loved working in the school environment; coming in contact with children everyday made me realize how much I would enjoy teaching a classroom full of students.