Week 14 of Fall 2016, "Synthesis"
"I grew up in a unique position. Both of my parents are educators who teach at a public high school -- the same public high school I would end up attending years later. Since the beginning, I've been heavily involved with education from both a learning standpoint (I loved school) and a teaching standpoint (my parents rubbed off on me). It was no surprise to anyone when I declared my education major. However, this fall was the first semester I had the opportunity to genuinely teach in a college setting. I am grateful for this opportunity because it not only gave me hands on experience in the field but gave me the opportunity to get to know myself in the teaching position as well as my opinions, my preferences, and my expectations for the future.
I feel that our weekly class discussions were eye-opening, educational, intriguing, and down to earth. Along with broadening my perspectives, I was able to reflect on my own thoughts -- and then strengthen my own beliefs. This was so valuable to myself as a growing scholar. For what's been basically my whole life, I grew up thinking that a majority of everyone's education was at least remotely similar to mine. Talking with classmates proved that A) this was not the case by far and B) differences only make the classroom richer. While I may have disagreed at times with classmates, I never felt like our differences defined us or, more importantly, separated us as colleagues. You can learn just as much about others as you do yourself with basic discussion. Moreover, my 'field' experience in the classroom was beyond anything I imagined it would be; I feel so lucky that I was paired with such a wonderful class and professor who I can look up to. I will never forget my time as a UTA.
The reading that resonated most within me was the Blaauw-Hara reading from last week partially because I disagreed strongly with some of his points but also because these differences in opinion plucked at some of my core beliefs as a scholar and future educator. Even though this reading was mostly about grammar and writing instruction, it struck a chord regarding the education system as a whole and my thoughts about governmental policies, teacher expectations, student expectations, and the overall purpose of education. I won't get into my own opinions again but this reading allowed me to truly reflect on my core values, which are centered in inclusion, inspiration, encouragement, curiosity, genuine thought, and support. I am grateful for all that 388V has offered me, whether it be scholarship in practice, healthy debate, a turn of perspective, or the opportunity to befriend others in the class. I will never regret the day I submitted the UTA application."
Expansion: I comprised this post last Sunday and I still feel the same -- for the most part. I realized that I didn't state what my 'core values' are when I originally composed the response; in the revision above, I did so. I felt like this opportunity to expand would best serve as an explanation of what my core values truly are as an aspiring educator. I consider myself to be a stubborn person; with this being said, these core values are likely to stick around well into my future. For one, I would like to have a classroom grounded in mutual respect, tolerance of opinions and differences, and empowerment. I want every one of my students to feel like their opinions are valid, their thoughts are worth hearing, and that they are strong, wonderful students capable of any task they set their mind to. I know first-hand that an ounce of encouragement and support from a teacher is all a student needs to feel validated. I also want my classroom to be inclusive (which you can read about in the Post #2). I truly believe that a positive, encouraging educator is the best kind of educator and I am excited to build my career on top of the deep-seated core values rooted within me.
I feel that our weekly class discussions were eye-opening, educational, intriguing, and down to earth. Along with broadening my perspectives, I was able to reflect on my own thoughts -- and then strengthen my own beliefs. This was so valuable to myself as a growing scholar. For what's been basically my whole life, I grew up thinking that a majority of everyone's education was at least remotely similar to mine. Talking with classmates proved that A) this was not the case by far and B) differences only make the classroom richer. While I may have disagreed at times with classmates, I never felt like our differences defined us or, more importantly, separated us as colleagues. You can learn just as much about others as you do yourself with basic discussion. Moreover, my 'field' experience in the classroom was beyond anything I imagined it would be; I feel so lucky that I was paired with such a wonderful class and professor who I can look up to. I will never forget my time as a UTA.
The reading that resonated most within me was the Blaauw-Hara reading from last week partially because I disagreed strongly with some of his points but also because these differences in opinion plucked at some of my core beliefs as a scholar and future educator. Even though this reading was mostly about grammar and writing instruction, it struck a chord regarding the education system as a whole and my thoughts about governmental policies, teacher expectations, student expectations, and the overall purpose of education. I won't get into my own opinions again but this reading allowed me to truly reflect on my core values, which are centered in inclusion, inspiration, encouragement, curiosity, genuine thought, and support. I am grateful for all that 388V has offered me, whether it be scholarship in practice, healthy debate, a turn of perspective, or the opportunity to befriend others in the class. I will never regret the day I submitted the UTA application."
Expansion: I comprised this post last Sunday and I still feel the same -- for the most part. I realized that I didn't state what my 'core values' are when I originally composed the response; in the revision above, I did so. I felt like this opportunity to expand would best serve as an explanation of what my core values truly are as an aspiring educator. I consider myself to be a stubborn person; with this being said, these core values are likely to stick around well into my future. For one, I would like to have a classroom grounded in mutual respect, tolerance of opinions and differences, and empowerment. I want every one of my students to feel like their opinions are valid, their thoughts are worth hearing, and that they are strong, wonderful students capable of any task they set their mind to. I know first-hand that an ounce of encouragement and support from a teacher is all a student needs to feel validated. I also want my classroom to be inclusive (which you can read about in the Post #2). I truly believe that a positive, encouraging educator is the best kind of educator and I am excited to build my career on top of the deep-seated core values rooted within me.