Chapter 4: Schools as the Workplace for Students and Teachers

• Staff and Organization: The schools in the US are based on a linear system and they follow a chain of command protocol. Students are on the bottom, with teachers, then the principal and finally the superintendent of the district. The teacher must run anything by the principal before it is brought to the attention of the superintendent. Our 'build a school' works in this manner as well except the parents and the community also have a lot of say in their child's education due to the mere fact that they are paying for this higher education.
• The School District's Relationship With the State: The school district is a geographical area on the map that includes all schools in it's borders. The state is simply divided into more manageable sections. At our charter school "The Clara Borton Academy of Achievement" all underprivileged students in the 'ghetto' of NY could attend with fee waivers the district gave to parents to choose the best school that suits their students needs. Every five years the school would get evaluated and teachers would receive a compensation if the students were fully striving.
• Role of Federal Government: In the US constitution the role of education is reserved for the states jurisdiction. The federal government can influence education through the different branches of governing and the Supreme court however they cannot force funding to the district. In our school the federal government hands out fee waiver that all charter schools accept so that parents get a say and forces education to no longer be about the money. This causes less of a burden to parents and children the opportunity to achieve anything.
• How Schools are Paid For: The US funds schools through different taxes, including, income, sales and property. Our school is based in the US so it runs as smoothly as most schools do anyhow through the taxes of the community.

Chapter 6: Social Context of Schools

I created a slideshow to show how important it is to teach equality and to strain from judgment. It also examines the effects of different classes, races, genders and religions to show through perspectives of others judgment can be eleviated. I showed this through defining sociology and coming up with a technique to teach it. I will bring a hand printed copy to class and if my technology is coorperating I will show it.

Chapter 14: Succeeding in Your Teacher Education Program--and Beyond

What are your concerns?

• I am concerned that I won't be able to accomodate all my students needs.
• I am concerned parents and other teachers will interfere with my teaching skills and technique, like what happened to Mrs. Gruwell in Freedom Writers.
• I am concerned I won't have the ability or strengths to do my job to my full potential.
• I am concerned about being well-prepared and organized for each day.
• I am concerned that I won't be able to answer some of my students questions.
• I am also concerned that I won't be able to make enough money to support myself.

I hope that in the school I decide to teach, I will be respected and that my opinion will matter because it's not only one person that builds a community it takes everyone working together to be strong enough to withstand anything.

1) Which area of concern is most present? Which was not reflected? Were your concerns about teaching or other things? Were your concerns centered mainly on your ability to succeed, the management of teaching or what your students are learning?

My main concerns are between self, task and impact. I am concerned about self in the sense of acceptance, and well-being outside and inside the work setting. I am concerned about task in the sense of being organized, prepared and well-knowledged on the subject so that questions can be answered fully and correctly. I am concerned about impact in the sense of getting everyone to understand and to be remembered. I want to be a force to be reckoned with--that teacher that everyone likes and wantst to be enrolled in more of his/her classes. None of my concerns were unconcernable because everyone needs to be concerned about something in order to improve. My concerns were mainly about my ability of being succeedful, teach with understanding and being accepted.

2) Which stage of concern was most present?

1. Self
2. Impact
3. Task

I want to do the job that is best for me, be prepared and leave an impression on every student I teach. Is this easy? I think not, but I will do whatever it takes to improve my abilities and succeed.

Chapter 7: Thinking About Teaching and Learning

Chapter 7 on thinking about teaching and learning in the text Joy of Teaching, has given me a lot of insight on my philosophy. I have learned that there not only one way to learn or teach, teacher should be involved in everyday discussions and constantly thinking of new and creative ideas. Some things I would include in my second philosophy paper that I got from reading would be:

1) Tyler's basic priciples of curriculum and instruction that was published in 1949. He states, that these serve as a framework for selecting appropriate strategies to use to connect the learner and the content. In order to teach properly and in care of the students so that they understand fully you must

• Define appropriate learnign objectives
• Establish useful learning experiences
• Organize learing experiences to have a maximum cumulative effect
• Evaluate the curriculum and revise those aspects that do not prove to be effective

In later years Hilda Taba revised these structural rules and they are still used in the classroom to this day.

2) I believe the practice of existentialism is important. Existentialism is a school of philosophy that stresses the free will of others. I want my students to know that it is OK to be different. Those who are rebels don't back down and are not afraid to change the world (like in Jen's quote from the day of quotes). Being unique makes you who you are. Why would anyone want to conform?

3) I really liked reading about Breakfast with Jeremy. This shows that teachers really do care about the best interest of their students. Rick Smith, the 5th grade teacher made an everlasting impact on Jeremy's life. He taught him the importance of being on time. One of my teachers took time of his schedule to help me learn how to cook a nice meal for my mother's birthday when I was in 8th grade. My mom and I lived together and it was the first full year she and my dad had been separated. I wanted to do something special, but didn't know how to cook and didn't have a lot of money. So everyday after school, Mr. Boucher would teach me how to do something and by the end of the week I knew how to make the perfect meal. My mom was so surprised and from his extra help, I learned how to cook and will take those skills into my adult years. Teachers need to be more than just a teacher, they need to be a friend. I hope to bring Mr. Boucher and Rick Smith's character traits into my teaching experience and be a great friend and provider of knowledge.

Chapter 13: Improving Teachers and Schools and Reform Schools

Over my next four years at UMF, I hope to keep at least a 3.0 average and have the oppurtunity to work with kids and learn how to achieve a higher understanding for teaching as well as learning. Learning should never stop. I think it would be neat to work at a summer camp or a park program to add to my resume. I hope my accomplishments will help me become a great teacher.

During my first five years of teaching, I hope to get a name for myself. I want to give the children something to look up to. I always admired my teachers that took the time to chat becasue those are the one's we remember. I want to be remembered and I want to chair meetings and committees to show I'm not there just for the money, I'm there to make great people out of mere students.

Things I Need To Know

I read the 3 important things that UMF Secondary Education majors should know about:

Praxis

• It is your responsibility to pass Praxis I and II before you go on to student teaching.
• There are many resources at the CHD to help anyone accomplish their dream of becoming a teacher.
• The praxis offers fee waivers so that anybody is elidgible. This reassures that nobody will be burdened for money, that is a good feeling.

Practicum

• Taking a semester of practicum is the next step to becoming a teacher, you must have proof of passing the praxis and a GPA of 2.0.
• To apply you must meet with your advisor. Advisor's are there to help with any of your problems.
• Before you register for your classes you will find out if you were selected. Practicum only offers so many spaces, so you must register as soon as possible to assure moving up.

Transfering Majors

• Those who decide that they want to transfer to Secondary Education must accomplish a few things and learn to meet deadlines.
• Transfering students must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher and proof of passing the Praxis I as well as filling out a change of majors form and turning it into Kristen Hickey.
• The deadlines allow time and patience, but you should not procrastinate. For spring change it's due OCT. 1 and for fall it's due MAR. 1

How do I start thinking like a teacher (instead of as a student)?

At this point in time, I am still thinking like a student 100% because I am a student. What more do you want right now? I think it is hard to begin thinking like someone you haven't thought like before. Once, I begin to think like a teacher I won't be able to reverse and back track. When we begin practicum and making lesson plans this transition will be easier, but as of now I wait until I'm told what to do to begin working. Honestly, I feel like a zombie doing the same thing day inand day out. It will be a nice change to think like a teacher. Some thoguhts I will have to ponder in lesson planning would be:

• How will they do this?
• Can they handle this?
• What's a creative way to accomplish this task?

I know I'll be able to do it, this change will just take time. Working on the standards project may help this connect because we have to be able to teach the class something and make it stick. I'm sure you'll help make this change happen swiftly and with ease.

Which theories and historical influences should most impact the schools we'd like to have?

This question is so broad because there has been so many different influences and theories throughout history, how do I pick just one? They all seem important and valuable. We learned about some while reading our peers educational shift wikis and the chapter readings, yet, I still yearn to learn more about this topic. Which influences should I bring into the classroom? How should I go about teaching it?

How can I use knowledge of the learner to be a better teacher?

As you know we should never stop learning. "We cannot hold a torch tp light anothers path without brightening our own." -Ben Sweetland I like this quote because it is true, even in class we teach each other. As we learned to put our quotes on the artifacts page, we passed the moose around and taught each other and learned from the one before us. Teachers need to learn strategies to help their pupils progress and pupils need to know that they can teach the teacher, for somebody never knows everything. It's exciting when you learn something new and as I teacher I won't doubt my students instead I'll challenge them to do more than they know and challenge themselves to teach me something I didn't know. I would like to know more about learning to connect with teaching before this class concludes.

How can I be successful at UMF?

I can be successful at UMF being me. I am shy at first, but once you get to know me, I'll let loose. I put a lot into studying and am very hard on myself. I am a perfectionist and it kills me when I don't know the answers. I grew up in a family where crying could not happen and you had to play sports or you weren't a 'KENISON' and most of all that report card better have straight A's. The last was the worst for me, because I had a low attention span and would rather be outside than doing homework or reading. I tried. I always did the best I could, but it was in 9th grade that I discovered reading wasn't that bad. Actually reading was incredible because you could use your imigination and hey, writing was even better, it was your words. When I found my dream subject, my grades skyrocketed and my parents were so proud. My junior year I had to give up competitive skiing because of my knee so instead of picking up basketball like everyone wanted me to, I worte for hours after school and put my heart into what I loved. Therefore I think if I love what I do I can be successful anywhere, not only UMF. I think the quote excercise helped me at this because we got other peoples points of view on teaching. Also, being able to read our peers wikis and blogs let's us in turn help ourselves with ideas and such. So, I will be me and be successful.

How do I become a teacher?

Becoming a teacher is a lot harder than it looks. I thought hey, I like English, I like children and explaining things...I'll be a teacher. Getting to UMF I got hit with the reality bomb. I knew they don't hand teaching certificates to everyone, but I have to take the Praxis I and II even before I can student teach. WOW. I guess they really want to know that we can handle it before we get into the work force and totally screw ourselves. Looking up the certification process helped place this together and let us know what we need to do to become a teacher. As the saying goes, "If you can't do, teach," I disagree because you have to do to teach. You have to be able to make lesson plans and communicate with parents. Becoming a teacher is the hard part, but I think I can handle it at least I hope I can handle it.

Chapter 3: Families and Communities

7. Partnerships between teachers and families can improve the learning of students.

Parents and teachers should communicate and be a part of their child's life and learning. It is stated that when a parent is involved in homework more is accomplished, learned and retrieved. Parents should/can check the work to make sure it was done correctly, get involved in helping the student do work, ask the student if the work has been done and leave it up to the student. Contact with parents face to face can be more effective and personal than always talking throught the phone or e-mails. At parent-teacher conferences, parents want to know everything, therefore when they are involved everything the child hands in and does can be done with more ease. Parents and teachers should be friendly other than just an acquantice, teachers realize what parents really care. The students work reveals this for all to see.

Review

I reviewed the following six educational shift wikis:

• Corinne
• Kim
• Lindsey
• Melissa (for some reason hers got sent as a message to her inbox)
• Gerydd
• Marcy

Chapter 2: Today's Students

How does SES affect students?

An SES is the socioeconomic status of a family. It is a composition of economic status of families or persons on the basis of occupation, educational attainment, and income. Students are distinguished by their families income and wealth which leads to popularity and availibility to help and funds to improve learning. Children of low income families rarely go onto college becasue of the lack of smarts and funds to pay for tuition. When they are so low in income, parents rarely have time or interest to help whereas children in the middle class do better becasue they know they are loved. Their parents often ask about their work and try to improve their lives. Teachers need not stereotype students because of income and SES status becasue some will break the mold and go to college in a succeeding manner. I was raised in the middle class and my parents lived paycheck by paycheck, but always put in effort into helping me with my homework and such to asure success in my life.

Chapter 5:The History of Schools in the US

Education has changed greatly since the first school, the Boston Latin School opened in 1635. During that time period schooling was in outlet to teach children to read, write and be good citizens. Overtime, we've learned that different children learn in different ways and setup the free adn universal education system so that those with low income have no issues sending their children to school becasue afterall it is the right of the child to be able to learn. The schools were broken up into groups, where the common school was founded by Horace man in the 1830-1840's and then the charity school. Mann wanted to mix the social classes so that there was no discrimination; his schools are the "native" schools and are supported by the tax payers. A charity school is a Head Start where low-income families get to send their child with little or no cost and help from the state. Throughout the process of getting a firm education built we have had many setbacks including religious and racial battles on schooling that have been brought to the court system. Overall, eduation has evolved into a great workforce with many helping hands along the way.

While sorting through the changes of education, we jumped into many debates, some of more complexity than others. The first debate we ran into was the right of indivuals and power. I have equal oppurtunity so we should be treated equal which gives everyone the right to education including different religions, races, etc. The next debate we came across in the reading was, is there really a purpose to High School? We should be completely developed by the end of grammar school. Although after WWII the majority finished High School with a diploma in hand. And then of course there was the debate of the perfect teacher. We see this teacher who is perfect, but sometimes in our imperfections we find perfection.

chapter 1: Becoming a Teacher

Joyful

• Students achieve at high levels
• Teachers impact lives greatly
• Mentoring

Teachers must help students strive for achievement physically, emotionally, creatively, and intellectually and this is received by joy to the teacher as well.

Certain teachers are remembered because they have changed a life in someway weather it be the one who convinced you to apply to college, the one who challenged you or the one who helped you developed your self-esteem.

It is a great feeling when you can help someone grow.

Not Joyful

• Too much work
• Low salary
• Many assessment test

Teachers must be organized and keep updated portfolios of each student with reflections on their growth.

Teachers do not select teaching because they expect to get a high salary.

To be a teacher you must pass a series of tests and assessments including: knowledge, skills, dispositions, student learning, basic skills tests, content tests, pedagogical and professional knowledge tests.

Thoughts on Becoming a Teacher

As I grew older, I became overwhelmed with the question, "What will you be when you're older?" How am I suppose to know what I am going to be if I don't even know what I want for breakfast or what way I want to wear my hair for the day. This was a stumping question until my Junior year of High School. I had the opportunity to explore the options in my future career paths. I spent three weeks in the special education room at the local elementary school, six weeks in a second grade classroom and nine weeks in Mr. Hamel's Freshman English class. I knew I wanted to pursue something with helping children, I just couldn't figure out what age group.

After working with second graders, I felt that they were too needy. They needed help tying shoes and blowing noses. It was great to see them expand and grow, but I longed to be a friend instead of a guardian. In the special Education room I again had the same feelings. I felt bad because they could not do everyday tasks, although I was overjoyed about how excited they became when they learned how to do something new. I realized most of all that I do not have the patience for these children on an everyday basis. It was Mr. Hamel's Freshman English class that inspired me to be an High School English teacher. He taught the children that they must write with their hearts.

He taught my class that same thing. I saw the passion in these kids and realized I wanted to be the light in somebody's life, I wanted to be the missing piece to puzzle, I wanted to make a difference. So from that point on I told people I want to be a teacher, I want to inspire children and change lives. Most of all I want to help people find themselves. I think it would be great helping people. Because as you help someone in change you are really helping yourself.

It really irked me when other's response to my dream was "Some people can do and those who can't teach." Teachers are the one's who inspire the doers. They are high above and respectful therefore I also think they should be paid more because they lead their students down the path of life, they explain challenges and help configure choices. I want to be that person. I want to help!