Professional Development
As a future elementary/special education teacher, I realize that it is important that I continue on with my own educational growth. I plan on attending teacher conferences and seminars where I am able to meet with other teachers to collaborate and share ideas. I need to be able to keep up with the all the numerous changes in our technology, so I will be certain to attend workshops where I can learn creative ways to teach my students so that their lessons remain fresh, current and interesting. Continuing on with my own professional development will not only help me to succeed and become a great teacher, but my students will also benefit because they will be the recipients of the knowledge I have learned.
Image: http://classroomclipart.com/cgi-bin/kids/imageFolio.cgi?search=work&img=18&cat=&bool=and
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Sharing, Empowering & Embracing Culture: 2011 Future Educators Conference
South Mountain Community College
March 11, 2011
7 Hours
I sure wish it were possible to be in two places at one time! There were numerous breakout sessions at the 2011 Future Educators Conference that I wanted to attend, but I could not be in two places at once unfortunately. The three breakout sessions that I decided to attend, "What Does Professional Development Mean for a New Teacher?", "Student Teaching –What is it Really Like?", and "The Benefits of Storytelling Skills for the Classroom Teacher" were educational, informative, and the perfect choices for me. In the next few years, I will be entering the wonderful world of student teaching, so the breakout session describing what student teaching is really like was one that I definitely learned a great deal from. The four presenters, who were actual student teachers, did an excellent job explaining what a day-in-the-life of a new future teacher is like. I am very excited about my upcoming experience of student teaching, and I welcome the challenges that will come my way. I also now have a better understanding of the necessary steps that I must take before I can student teach. I have a plan of action in mind, and will hopefully be taking the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment over the summer. Once I’ve taken, and passed the content portion of the AEPA, I will be one step closer to my goal. What Does Professional Development Mean for a New Teacher? was another outstanding session that explained how important it is for a new teacher to have continued support once they are in their own classroom environment. By having a mentor teacher, even when I become a teacher, is a great way for me to become a better teacher. If I am a better teacher, then my students will benefit from that as well. The last session was all about storytelling, and this is a great tool for any teacher to have. I plan on using storytelling in my classroom to help my students become better communicators and better readers. Storytelling will also allow my students to let their imaginations run wild, and will teach them how to work together in small groups.
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South Mountain Community College
March 11, 2011
7 Hours
I sure wish it were possible to be in two places at one time! There were numerous breakout sessions at the 2011 Future Educators Conference that I wanted to attend, but I could not be in two places at once unfortunately. The three breakout sessions that I decided to attend, "What Does Professional Development Mean for a New Teacher?", "Student Teaching –What is it Really Like?", and "The Benefits of Storytelling Skills for the Classroom Teacher" were educational, informative, and the perfect choices for me. In the next few years, I will be entering the wonderful world of student teaching, so the breakout session describing what student teaching is really like was one that I definitely learned a great deal from. The four presenters, who were actual student teachers, did an excellent job explaining what a day-in-the-life of a new future teacher is like. I am very excited about my upcoming experience of student teaching, and I welcome the challenges that will come my way. I also now have a better understanding of the necessary steps that I must take before I can student teach. I have a plan of action in mind, and will hopefully be taking the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment over the summer. Once I’ve taken, and passed the content portion of the AEPA, I will be one step closer to my goal. What Does Professional Development Mean for a New Teacher? was another outstanding session that explained how important it is for a new teacher to have continued support once they are in their own classroom environment. By having a mentor teacher, even when I become a teacher, is a great way for me to become a better teacher. If I am a better teacher, then my students will benefit from that as well. The last session was all about storytelling, and this is a great tool for any teacher to have. I plan on using storytelling in my classroom to help my students become better communicators and better readers. Storytelling will also allow my students to let their imaginations run wild, and will teach them how to work together in small groups.
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Inspire to Inquire: 6th Annual Education Fair and Conference
Arizona State University’s Polytechnic Campus
March 5, 2011
6.5 Hours
Which breakout session should I go to? This could have been one easy way to choose my schedule for the day, but it would not have been a very efficient method to use. The breakout session choices were numerous and covered a variety of topics. I decided instead to go with the more practical approach, and chose my sessions based upon interest, and the need to find out more. Classroom Management is a huge topic that I am very interested in, so I chose to attend Kris Treat’s “Pro-Active Classroom Management” session. Mr. Treat teaches sophomore Social Studies at Desert Ridge High School. His presentation was very informative, clear, concise, and lively. I learned that a Pro-Active Classroom comes in three phases: the pre-management phase, the active management phase, and the reactive management phase. The pre-management phase occurs prior to the beginning of the lesson, when a teacher is just getting to know her students. The next phase, active management occurs during the lesson, but prior to a disruptive behavior event by a student. The reactive management phase is the last one, and this phase goes into action once something disruptive in the classroom occurs. Hopefully, as a future new teacher, I will have my pre-management and active management phases in order so I will not have to tap into my reactive management phase. The key items I came away with from this session were to live rules more than talk about them, hold my students to a high standard, build a relationship with my students, and most of all proximity (move around the classroom, and use my body position to maximize my presence). The other sessions I attended were an “AEPA Workshop”, “Classroom Management Tips and Strategies”,
“Power of the Picture Book”, and “Question & Answer Relationships”. I realize that as a future teacher I will need to continue on with my own growth and development, and these conferences are a great resource for me to utilize. It also gave me the opportunity to meet and collaborate with my comrades.
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Arizona State University’s Polytechnic Campus
March 5, 2011
6.5 Hours
Which breakout session should I go to? This could have been one easy way to choose my schedule for the day, but it would not have been a very efficient method to use. The breakout session choices were numerous and covered a variety of topics. I decided instead to go with the more practical approach, and chose my sessions based upon interest, and the need to find out more. Classroom Management is a huge topic that I am very interested in, so I chose to attend Kris Treat’s “Pro-Active Classroom Management” session. Mr. Treat teaches sophomore Social Studies at Desert Ridge High School. His presentation was very informative, clear, concise, and lively. I learned that a Pro-Active Classroom comes in three phases: the pre-management phase, the active management phase, and the reactive management phase. The pre-management phase occurs prior to the beginning of the lesson, when a teacher is just getting to know her students. The next phase, active management occurs during the lesson, but prior to a disruptive behavior event by a student. The reactive management phase is the last one, and this phase goes into action once something disruptive in the classroom occurs. Hopefully, as a future new teacher, I will have my pre-management and active management phases in order so I will not have to tap into my reactive management phase. The key items I came away with from this session were to live rules more than talk about them, hold my students to a high standard, build a relationship with my students, and most of all proximity (move around the classroom, and use my body position to maximize my presence). The other sessions I attended were an “AEPA Workshop”, “Classroom Management Tips and Strategies”,
“Power of the Picture Book”, and “Question & Answer Relationships”. I realize that as a future teacher I will need to continue on with my own growth and development, and these conferences are a great resource for me to utilize. It also gave me the opportunity to meet and collaborate with my comrades.
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CLASI Workshop: Overcoming Test Anxiety
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
February 16, 2011
1 Hour
So many individuals suffer from test anxiety, but believe it or not, there are three simple steps that can help anyone overcome their fear. I attended a very informative workshop on overcoming text anxiety, and the presenter of the workshop, Dr. Rene Barrios, explained in detail the ways to alleviate the anxiety that so often comes along with the word T-E-S-T. The first step, positive self-talk, can easily be done while driving to school just before taking the dreaded test. Self-talk is a mental dialogue in the brain that a person has with oneself. It is a positive message that relaxes the person, and sends a positive message to the brain that all is well. The second step, positive affirmation, is very similar to positive self-talk. A person needs to say a positive affirmation, or a positive statement of truth and intention to get the brain, and the body in a relaxed state. “I can do this, I studied really hard, and I know the material. I will do well.” These words of comfort help the mind and body relax. The last step in the process of overcoming test anxiety is deep, cleansing, relaxing breathing techniques. These exercises can be done anywhere, and no one has to even know that they are occurring. One of the main reasons for deep breathing is so a person is able to establish a steadier breathing pattern. Oxygen needs to be generated to the brain and the body so that a feeling of complete and utter relaxation takes over. It is worth the time and effort to follow these three steps to testing success in order to feel completely relaxed the next time a T-E-S-T is scheduled. As an aspiring teacher, I plan on introducing these simple steps to my students. There are many factors that can contribute to test anxiety, but if my students establish good study habits, and follow these key steps to testing success, they will have nothing to be anxious about when I give them a test.
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Chandler-Gilbert Community College
February 16, 2011
1 Hour
So many individuals suffer from test anxiety, but believe it or not, there are three simple steps that can help anyone overcome their fear. I attended a very informative workshop on overcoming text anxiety, and the presenter of the workshop, Dr. Rene Barrios, explained in detail the ways to alleviate the anxiety that so often comes along with the word T-E-S-T. The first step, positive self-talk, can easily be done while driving to school just before taking the dreaded test. Self-talk is a mental dialogue in the brain that a person has with oneself. It is a positive message that relaxes the person, and sends a positive message to the brain that all is well. The second step, positive affirmation, is very similar to positive self-talk. A person needs to say a positive affirmation, or a positive statement of truth and intention to get the brain, and the body in a relaxed state. “I can do this, I studied really hard, and I know the material. I will do well.” These words of comfort help the mind and body relax. The last step in the process of overcoming test anxiety is deep, cleansing, relaxing breathing techniques. These exercises can be done anywhere, and no one has to even know that they are occurring. One of the main reasons for deep breathing is so a person is able to establish a steadier breathing pattern. Oxygen needs to be generated to the brain and the body so that a feeling of complete and utter relaxation takes over. It is worth the time and effort to follow these three steps to testing success in order to feel completely relaxed the next time a T-E-S-T is scheduled. As an aspiring teacher, I plan on introducing these simple steps to my students. There are many factors that can contribute to test anxiety, but if my students establish good study habits, and follow these key steps to testing success, they will have nothing to be anxious about when I give them a test.
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Science Fair
Humphrey Elementary School
February 3, 2011
2 Hours
“That looks like a hologram,” the little boy commented as he approached my optical illusions table, and reached for the little frog on top of the circular dish that vanished in his hands as he swept it across the top of the dish. This little boy was indeed seeing things, and his eyes were playing tricks on him because he was one of the many students from Humphrey Elementary School that came out to support the school’s annual Science Fair. Tammy Zappin, a 4th grade teacher at the school coordinated the event, and invited students, parents, siblings and friends to come out and enjoy a fabulous night of science educational fun. I was a volunteer at this event, and my responsibility was to man the optical illusions table. What great fun I had watching the amazement on the faces of the students, and their parents that came by my table to experience the tricks the mind can play on them. The optical illusions table, was just one of the many fun activities that were sponsored by the Arizona Science Center, and set up for the students and their families to enjoy while they perused the science projects that were displayed throughout the school cafeteria. Awards were given for the first, second and third place winners for their science projects, but I believe that every student was a winner that night. The time and effort they all put into their projects, and the enormous turnout was proof enough that they all were winners. I was very happy to be a part of such a wonderful educational event. I know that when I am a teacher, I will make a point of going to school events to show support for my students. The event could be anything from a school dance, a science fair, a book fair, or any number of sporting events. I think it is important for my students, and their families to see my presence at these events to show how much I care about their child’s overall well being, as well as their educational growth and development.
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Humphrey Elementary School
February 3, 2011
2 Hours
“That looks like a hologram,” the little boy commented as he approached my optical illusions table, and reached for the little frog on top of the circular dish that vanished in his hands as he swept it across the top of the dish. This little boy was indeed seeing things, and his eyes were playing tricks on him because he was one of the many students from Humphrey Elementary School that came out to support the school’s annual Science Fair. Tammy Zappin, a 4th grade teacher at the school coordinated the event, and invited students, parents, siblings and friends to come out and enjoy a fabulous night of science educational fun. I was a volunteer at this event, and my responsibility was to man the optical illusions table. What great fun I had watching the amazement on the faces of the students, and their parents that came by my table to experience the tricks the mind can play on them. The optical illusions table, was just one of the many fun activities that were sponsored by the Arizona Science Center, and set up for the students and their families to enjoy while they perused the science projects that were displayed throughout the school cafeteria. Awards were given for the first, second and third place winners for their science projects, but I believe that every student was a winner that night. The time and effort they all put into their projects, and the enormous turnout was proof enough that they all were winners. I was very happy to be a part of such a wonderful educational event. I know that when I am a teacher, I will make a point of going to school events to show support for my students. The event could be anything from a school dance, a science fair, a book fair, or any number of sporting events. I think it is important for my students, and their families to see my presence at these events to show how much I care about their child’s overall well being, as well as their educational growth and development.
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Jonathan Kozol Speech
Chandler-Gilbert Community College Student Center
November 2, 2010
1 Hour
Chandler-Gilbert Community College had the honor and privilege to have national book award-winning author, Jonathan Kozol, speak to an audience of predominantly teachers and aspiring teachers about his own love and passion for teaching. The one thing that really inspired me about his speech was the fact that out of all the numerous accomplishments in his life, the one that he was “most proud” of was the fact that he has been a real teacher himself. Jonathan Kozol’s humor was apparent throughout his speech, but this was probably due to all of the very somber and dark experiences that he has endured over his own lengthy teaching career while working with the inner city schools. I was very impressed by some of the responses that Jonathan Kozol gave to questions that people in the audience asked during the speech. One student asked what seemed like a very complex question, but the response that Kozol gave was so simple, yet so true. The question was: What can a teacher do to make a change? Kozol’s response was clear and concise. He said, “Do everything you can to get to know each student individually. Each student has gifts and talents that are not always recognized at first. Look for a gift, even in a student who is hostile.” This reply was exactly what I needed to hear as a future teacher, and something that I will definitely apply when I become a new teacher. I think it is so important for a teacher to get to know her students individually. Everyone is different, and has something special to offer, and it is up to a teacher to bring the best out in all her students.
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Chandler-Gilbert Community College Student Center
November 2, 2010
1 Hour
Chandler-Gilbert Community College had the honor and privilege to have national book award-winning author, Jonathan Kozol, speak to an audience of predominantly teachers and aspiring teachers about his own love and passion for teaching. The one thing that really inspired me about his speech was the fact that out of all the numerous accomplishments in his life, the one that he was “most proud” of was the fact that he has been a real teacher himself. Jonathan Kozol’s humor was apparent throughout his speech, but this was probably due to all of the very somber and dark experiences that he has endured over his own lengthy teaching career while working with the inner city schools. I was very impressed by some of the responses that Jonathan Kozol gave to questions that people in the audience asked during the speech. One student asked what seemed like a very complex question, but the response that Kozol gave was so simple, yet so true. The question was: What can a teacher do to make a change? Kozol’s response was clear and concise. He said, “Do everything you can to get to know each student individually. Each student has gifts and talents that are not always recognized at first. Look for a gift, even in a student who is hostile.” This reply was exactly what I needed to hear as a future teacher, and something that I will definitely apply when I become a new teacher. I think it is so important for a teacher to get to know her students individually. Everyone is different, and has something special to offer, and it is up to a teacher to bring the best out in all her students.
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Waiting for Superman Documentary
Harkins Theater in Scottsdale
October 21, 2010
1 Hour 42 Min.
Even before I decided to become a teacher, I knew that our educational system was having serious problems, but I didn’t have a clue how bad things really were until I saw the documentary, Waiting for Superman. The deterioration of our education system countrywide is something for everyone to be worried about, and I don’t think the documentary hit on many solutions. Whether a person is going into the education field or not, it is a MUST see. Why should it be acceptable for our future generations to suffer because the public schools they attend and their teachers in particular are failing them? There are many “bad” teachers that remain in the classrooms despite the fact that they are not teaching our students anything, and once they have reached tenure, it is almost impossible to get rid of them. One avenue that many parents are resorting to is entering their child’s name in a lottery drawing, where there are very few seats available each year in a charter school. Parent’s hopes are that their child’s number will get called, and then they will be one of the few who will have an opportunity at getting a good education. Why should our young people be subjected to this very stressful and emotional lottery drawing in order to have a good chance at a brighter future? A lottery system is not the answer to this distressing problem. There are so many children’s names that will not get chosen, and, therefore, they will have to return to their regular classrooms where they are not getting the education that they deserve. It is true that “No Child Should Be Left Behind,” but at alarming rates that is just what is happening in this country to our children. When will it stop? As a future teacher, I will do my best to make sure that every student that enters my classroom receives a quality education that they are entitled to. I am not superman, and I cannot do this all by myself, but I will not let my students down.
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CLASI Workshop
Note Taking: Active Listening and Reading
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
September 14, 2010
1 Hour
There is no escaping it, taking notes is essential for all college students who want to succeed, and do well in their classes. What I wasn’t aware of was that there is a right and wrong way to take notes. During the workshop, the instructor introduced two note taking methods that I had never even heard of before, the Cornell Method, and SQ3R, a.k.a. survey, question, read, recite, and review. It really depends upon personal preference which method to use, but they are both very specific note taking methods that will help students to organize their notes in a more efficient manner. I also learned some tips on how to remain focused in the classroom, and how to avoid distractions. As a current student, these note taking strategies that I learned will help me out immensely. It is an easier way to write down the pertinent information, and then break it up into smaller and more manageable pieces so when studying the information, it is not so overwhelming. As a future teacher, I will also require that my students use one of these techniques when taking notes during my lectures. It is a very organized and systematic way of writing down the most important pieces of information.
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Teacher Education Student Success Series Workshop
“Diigo, Pokens and Real Simple Syndication: Start Your Personal Learning Network (PLN)”
Mesa Community College
September 10, 2010
3 Hours
Technology is the way of the future, and teachers who do not use technology are missing out on so much, therefore, the students they teach will suffer as well. During this workshop, the speaker, Jeannette Shaffer discussed how to build a Personal Learning Network, and what the benefits were of having one. The benefits of having a PLN are numerous, but the two major benefits are accessibility and responsibility. Once you’ve established your own PLN you can share information instantaneously with other teachers and students. It is a great way to collaborate, learn, and meet new people all at the same time. The perk is that this is all done from your computer. A few websites to try if you want to begin building your own PLN would be: www.google/ig, www.google.com/reader, or www.diigo.com.
