As I have said before, this is only my second education course as I pursue my dream of becoming an educator. I feel that this course has most certainly given me a fantastic foundation to build upon. This course taught me to look at the bigger picture as well as to the individual students. The topics covered all tied in together very nicely at the end of the course.
I have become much more informed about the history of the education system both through the readings and the videos. How amazing to think that our system was created for the Industrial Revolution and not much has changed since then. While subjects like math and science are certainly very important, why do we not place more emphasis on the arts? Students need to be able to problem solve and think out of the box. Today's employers do not want employees to simply "check the box" that the task is completed. Students will be constantly challenged in the workforce to come up with better and brighter ideas. We need to teach our children to be creative!
Week 2 brought to light the educational theories. The constructivist theory by far interested me the most because that is how I learn. Building knowledge and meaning through experience is very powerful for me and I know it will stay with me as I begin my career in the classroom. This week really drove home for me that students need to be engaged and made a part of the learning experience.
Week 3 was very enlightening for me to learn in detail about the different types of schools that are valid options today. Students must continue to have choices to succeed. An alternate school for some students can make all the difference in the world. We also looked at change, reform, and innovations during this week. I looked up the definitions of each and one word sums up all 3 definitions to me. That word is courage. It takes courage to be different, to improve, and to introduce something new.
Week 4 objectives were all about technology. Let me just say that I have come a long way since the beginning of this course. I can't believe that I created my own website! It is imperative that we teach our students as much about technology as possible. I can imagine how intimidated a teacher can be if they have not had much experience. We must take away that fear through training and education. Our children's futures depend on it!
I take away from this course a feeling of accomplishment and a tremendous sense of hope. Just think of the difference we can all make with a little courage, an open mind, plenty of knowledge, and a healthy amount of enthusiasm.
I will leave everyone with words of wisdom from the great Dr. Seuss:
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)
Kid, you’ll move mountains!
So…be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ale Van Allen O’Shea, you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
No More Bullying In This China Shop
https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dhnfzb9_5dgjvg5mb&revision=_latest&start=0&theme=liquid&cwj=true
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Race to the Top
I read a great article earlier today about a program that President Obama has spear-headed. It is called Race to the Top. This program allows states to actually compete for a portion of the federal funding that is given to schools. States are encouraged to reform in 4 specific areas:
•Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace and to compete in the global economy;
•Building data systems that measure student growth and success, and inform teachers and principals about how they can improve instruction;
•Recruiting, developing, rewarding, and retaining effective teachers and principals, especially where they are needed most; and
•Turning around our lowest-achieving schools.
Awards in this program are given to states who are leading the way for reform.
There is obviously much debate over this program. Many argue that it is taking funding away from other areas and ignoring long-standing inequalities in education. This program may not be without faults, but I think this is definitely a step in the right direction for preparing our students for the world ahead of them.
•Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace and to compete in the global economy;
•Building data systems that measure student growth and success, and inform teachers and principals about how they can improve instruction;
•Recruiting, developing, rewarding, and retaining effective teachers and principals, especially where they are needed most; and
•Turning around our lowest-achieving schools.
Awards in this program are given to states who are leading the way for reform.
There is obviously much debate over this program. Many argue that it is taking funding away from other areas and ignoring long-standing inequalities in education. This program may not be without faults, but I think this is definitely a step in the right direction for preparing our students for the world ahead of them.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Multicultural Education
July 15, 2010
To my Fellow Community Members,
My name is Claudine Cottini and I have just been appointed to the Chair of Curriculum position in the our School District. I have also been an educator in this school district for the past seven years. This letter is to inform you of some of the changes I plan on implementing to enhance our traditional learning environment. It is our duty to give all students the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to participate in a diverse workforce and in society. We must expose our children to different cultures so they have the knowledge to interact and communicate with diverse cultures and races. It is my belief that children must be taught respect for all cultures starting from an early age.
My first order of business will be to further expand our mindset of multicultural education. Beginning in kindergarten and continuing through all grades, our social studies curriculum will include lessons that pertain to the cultures of the students in the class. Examples of some topics I plan on including are music, games, food, holidays, and clothing of each different culture. These different cultures will be represented in classroom bulletin boards, hallways, lunch menus, and extracurricular activities such as school dances. As the children get older, they will be participating in other activities including book reports and research projects on a chosen culture. We will also be incorporating different cultures into our annual holiday performances. I feel that it is very important to teach our children about the many different cultures that make up our world today.
My goal with this enhanced curriculum will not only teach children about different cultures, but it will also serve to increase the pride in students while their culture is being studied. Families with different cultures are all unique and all children should be exposed to the differences (and similarities) of each.
There are several books on this topic which I plan on making part of the curriculum. For example, there is a book titled “Just Like Me” which has representations from 140 different countries around the world. In just two weeks, our teachers will be attending a summer workshop titled “Developing a Multicultural Curriculum.” One teacher from each school will be attending so we can all benefit from current knowledge and tools on this important topic. The wonderful thing about this curriculum is that it is appropriate for all ages and grade levels.
We will begin implementing these enhancements in the upcoming 2010-2011 school year. I am very confident that each classroom will embrace our new philosophy.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions or require any additional information. Looking forward to a wonderful school year.
Thank you!
Gracias!
Shukria!
Spasiba!
Toda!
Shukran!
Spasiba!
Sincerely,
Claudine Cottini
Chair of Curriculum
To my Fellow Community Members,
My name is Claudine Cottini and I have just been appointed to the Chair of Curriculum position in the our School District. I have also been an educator in this school district for the past seven years. This letter is to inform you of some of the changes I plan on implementing to enhance our traditional learning environment. It is our duty to give all students the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to participate in a diverse workforce and in society. We must expose our children to different cultures so they have the knowledge to interact and communicate with diverse cultures and races. It is my belief that children must be taught respect for all cultures starting from an early age.
My first order of business will be to further expand our mindset of multicultural education. Beginning in kindergarten and continuing through all grades, our social studies curriculum will include lessons that pertain to the cultures of the students in the class. Examples of some topics I plan on including are music, games, food, holidays, and clothing of each different culture. These different cultures will be represented in classroom bulletin boards, hallways, lunch menus, and extracurricular activities such as school dances. As the children get older, they will be participating in other activities including book reports and research projects on a chosen culture. We will also be incorporating different cultures into our annual holiday performances. I feel that it is very important to teach our children about the many different cultures that make up our world today.
My goal with this enhanced curriculum will not only teach children about different cultures, but it will also serve to increase the pride in students while their culture is being studied. Families with different cultures are all unique and all children should be exposed to the differences (and similarities) of each.
There are several books on this topic which I plan on making part of the curriculum. For example, there is a book titled “Just Like Me” which has representations from 140 different countries around the world. In just two weeks, our teachers will be attending a summer workshop titled “Developing a Multicultural Curriculum.” One teacher from each school will be attending so we can all benefit from current knowledge and tools on this important topic. The wonderful thing about this curriculum is that it is appropriate for all ages and grade levels.
We will begin implementing these enhancements in the upcoming 2010-2011 school year. I am very confident that each classroom will embrace our new philosophy.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions or require any additional information. Looking forward to a wonderful school year.
Thank you!
Gracias!
Shukria!
Spasiba!
Toda!
Shukran!
Spasiba!
Sincerely,
Claudine Cottini
Chair of Curriculum
Friday, July 9, 2010
Inspirational Teaching
To me inspirational teaching means giving students the power to learn. Just think how much students could learn if subjects were taught to them in ways where they could have a true understanding.
As I began to research my groups power point yesterday, it gave me a clear understanding of what inspirational teaching means to me. I think it is extraordinarily important to always instill confidence in children. Students should not be afraid to give a wrong answer or make a mistake. Many times that is how we learn, even as adults.
I also believe that students need to be able to apply topics to the real world. If we are talking about money, why not set up a store and give the children play money so they can be responsible for make their own decisions? That teaches not only about currency, but also about making choices and not being able to have everything you want at once. Just think if students learned from an early age that if you only have a certain amount of money, you have to make a decision on what to purchase and what to leave behind. There will be no credit cards in my classroom!!
I believe that when a student has a clear understanding of something, success in school becomes a natural by-product of that understanding. It will be my goal as a teacher to try and instill a love of learning in all of my students.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
What is a Wiki?
I did not have a clear understanding of what a wiki was. This video helped explain it!
When I become a teacher
When I become a teacher I will strive to make all of my students believe in themselves. Teachers have the power to empower their students every single day and that is what I intend to do.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Survey Results are In
As part of our assignment for this week, we had to take a survey which would indicate which educational philosophies we agreed with most. My top 3 were Humanism, Information Processing, and Cognitivism. When I read the descriptions of my top 3, I thought that the results were pretty true to my feelings and beliefs.
The Humanism aspect says that educators teach based on the belief that students should focus on personal growth and becoming the best that they can be. It also states that students have unlimited potential and that humans can control their own destiny. These are beliefs that I hold very dear and believe them with all of my heart.
The second was Information Processing which focuses on how the mind works. This subject has always fascinated me. The fact that we have the ability to learn, file that information away and recall that information sometimes years later (hopefully) is amazing.
This was a great exercise for me to also gain understanding of the many different teaching philosophies.
The Humanism aspect says that educators teach based on the belief that students should focus on personal growth and becoming the best that they can be. It also states that students have unlimited potential and that humans can control their own destiny. These are beliefs that I hold very dear and believe them with all of my heart.
The second was Information Processing which focuses on how the mind works. This subject has always fascinated me. The fact that we have the ability to learn, file that information away and recall that information sometimes years later (hopefully) is amazing.
This was a great exercise for me to also gain understanding of the many different teaching philosophies.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Introduction/Week 1
Well, this is my first blog ever! I recently started taking classes at Mount Saint Mary in Summer I. I have an undergraduate degree from SUNY New Paltz in Accounting. I worked in the financial field for the last 13 years. Late last summe r I decided to pursue a career in teaching at the elementary school level. After some planning and a few undergrad courses to fulfill my liberal arts requirement, here I am!
I took Intro to Special Ed in Summer I and loved it. Now, here I am in Summer II taking Nature of Education with Dr. Smirnova.
Some of the readings in week 1 were very disturbing. Our society places way too much on outputs and not enough on inputs. We certainly need a way to measure how students are doing, but does that have to be the only factor? Teachers are under more and more pressure to have all students do better and better on tests and as a result teach only the topics on the tests. There is less time for creativity and independent thinking. I am a believer in having children take an active participation in learning activities. I think that this can lead to greater retention and higher level thinking. I believe that all children are individuals and learn differently.
I took Intro to Special Ed in Summer I and loved it. Now, here I am in Summer II taking Nature of Education with Dr. Smirnova.
Some of the readings in week 1 were very disturbing. Our society places way too much on outputs and not enough on inputs. We certainly need a way to measure how students are doing, but does that have to be the only factor? Teachers are under more and more pressure to have all students do better and better on tests and as a result teach only the topics on the tests. There is less time for creativity and independent thinking. I am a believer in having children take an active participation in learning activities. I think that this can lead to greater retention and higher level thinking. I believe that all children are individuals and learn differently.
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