Learning is Never Over
As an educator, I try to inspire students to see the bigger picture and understand that elementary, middle and high school is just the beginning of their education. Learning is ongoing, and for me is never complete. My learning experiences have only improved as I’ve begun to drive my own experiences. Whether it is a book I selected out of interest that has led me to further inquiry, or a professional development that provided me with more or improved skills, I take these opportunities as ways I am continuing my learning. Also, each opportunity is considered for an area of focus for future learning. For me that is the most exciting part of the next steps after the completion of my Master’s of Arts in Education (MAED) is that I can choose an area of focus that I want to develop. When I look to where I will go from here I consider what I want to accomplish for myself as an educator and also personally. Initial thoughts when moving forward is always kid first and what will yield the most effective teaching and learning. Areas of focus for me for the future include implementing Guided Math Framework to use consistently, continuing to develop innovative ways to integrate technology into the classroom, and to diversify my learning through courses that will further develop my skill set for the classroom for the diverse learners.
Incorporating Guided Math into daily instruction to support my student’s math experiences is one area of focus I have for the future. Ground work in developing math instruction using this framework has begun with the help Laney Sammons and her book Guided Math: A Framework for Mathematics Instruction. With additional support from my instructional coach, and fellow math teacher we want to use guided math fluently on a daily bases for both fifth and sixth grade classes. Our school has begun to compile lists of helpful resources for me and other teachers with this same goal. These resources are housed on our instructional coach’s wiki page for us to use and add to. Aspects of this type of teaching framework that support my philosophy is that students can have a voice in their learning and have choices in types of learning activities with the support of their teacher. This includes selecting digital tools that will enhance their learning.
Digital tools and resources are always changing and new resources are developed so frequently. For the sake of my students and the direction we are heading staying current with best practices for the integration of technology is important to me. I want to continue to keep my abilities, and knowledge fresh as a way to support my students who for the most part already exceed my when it comes to the use of technology. I will continue to seek out professional development opportunities that will support this area of focus. Using a support of a pilot group through our school district will allow me to work with other educators with the same goal in mind. The pilot group focuses on Google Apps for Education (GAFE), but also provides time for us to collaborate using other digital tools and resources. Independent of the pilot group Edutopia and other educational blogs provide articles and ideas for the use of technology in the classroom.
My third learning goal for the future is the most exciting for me and yet it is quite broad. With the diverse population of learners that each educator encounters on a daily basis I want to make sure that I am diversifying my education. For me this means participating in professional developments that may be outside either my comfort zone as well as the areas I would consider myself already highly qualified to teach. I can see down the road working towards another degree either in special instruction or I’ve always been interested in learning sign language as another language. Earning a degree in either of these two concentrations would open the door to new teaching and learning opportunities to me. I am fortunate to live in an area that is rich in colleges that offer these programs. I can always continue with Michigan State University (MSU) or seek out an different learning experience, Wayne State University (WSU)is one of the many in my area offering a Master’s Degree in Education for Special Education.
These three areas of focus I have established are exciting for me as I look to the future. Setting future learning goals for myself has given me time to reflect on what I have already achieved and where I want to continue to grow as an educator and person. Sharing these learning experiences and the decision making process that goes hand and hand with future goals setting is a concept to be modeled inside the classroom. I look forward to the learning that will never end.