The End Of A Great Chapter

If I'm being honest, I was horrified of taking this class with Dr. Smirnova.  I had heard from many other students that it was a crazy amount of work and time.  That she expected so much from her students and could keep piling the work on.  Going into this class I did not know if I would make it out alive.  I spent the first class doubting if I had made the right choice in careers and if I had the skills to complete this class.  In the beginning of the semester I constructed some goals for myself regarding this course. 

These are my goals: In this course I had many goals regarding social studies and my personal learning.  The goals in general knowledge of learning theories/planning/teaching are I would like to achieve is to learn more about the different lesson structures.  Another goal for this session is teaching in front of a whole class.  The goals in  basic knowledge/skills for the social studies unit/lesson plans design and edTPA are to know social studies standards.  I would also like to achieve the knowledge to select and design different types of assessment methods.  In the personal learning/study and technology skills I would like to achieve the understanding of how to use google docs and drives.  I would also like to achieve the knowledge to select technology tools that enhance student’s learning.  

Now that the semester is over, I am so glad I took this course.  Not only is Dr. Smirnova a book of great resources,  she also will give you all the support you need.  No matter the time of day or the amount of question, she always has an answer for you.  At the end of this class, I feel like I am a stronger teacher.  I know that teachers are not perfect but, they strive to be.  I have learned how to incorporate all three lesson styles into a unit plan, how to use great internet tools into lessons, and how google docs can be a great asset to your classroom.  I will use all the tools and strategies that Dr. Smirnova has taught throughout this semesters . 

Here is the reflection on the beginning of the semester goals:  Throughout the journey through this course I have grown as a teacher and a person.  I feel that I have reached the majority of the goals I have set for myself for this semester.  In the learning theories/planning.teaching section I believe I know have stronger knowledge of the different lesson structures. I am comfortable with writing lessons in any of the styles and know the components of each style.  I also feel comfortable teaching in front of a whole class. This is a skill that I have not had to do in my course work until this course.  I feel like I have more tools to think on my feet and engage students in their learning.  In the section of basic knowledge/skills for the social studies unit/lesson plans design and edTPA I have a better understanding of the social studies standards and how to incorporate these standards into my lessons.  I have also learned the art of selecting and designing different types of assessment methods.  Not all assessment must be by way of a test, you can use class discussions, focus questions, and cumulating projects.  In the section personal learning/study and technology skills I have accomplished the understanding of how to use google docs and drives.  I find this technique of keeping documents a great way to work.  I have also achieved greater knowledge of technology tools that enhance student’s learning.  The web holds such great tools to help teachers enhance their students learning.  In all, I feel that I have learned a large amount of knowledge this semester and plan on using it in my future classroom.

As the semester comes to a close I am sad to leave this class and will always be grateful to Dr. Smirnova's amazing teaching.





Thank you for everything Dr. Smirnova!


.




 

To Have My Ph.D. For One Night

Sometimes its great to pretend.  I got to be a doctor for a couple of hours and it was a lot of fun.  I was giving the task of designing a person who runs a school and is looking to hire new teachers.  My school was based on social/cooperative and inquiry based learning.  I then had to create questions to ask the teacher-candidates in a mock job interview.  At the end of the interviews we got to hire who we thought was the best fit for our school.

Good Evening everyone.  My name is Dr. Corrigan and I am the principle of Imagination Elementary School.  I have been in the world of education for almost 35 years.  In the years leading up to becoming a teacher and principal I obtained a bachelor degree in Psychology and then received a masters in Elementary education from Mount St. Mary College in Newburgh.   I then went on to teach in a 1st grade classroom for 15 years, I then returned to school.  I received my Ph.D. in special education leadership from Capella University. Upon receiving my Ph.D. I opened up the very school I work in now.

Imagination Elementary School is base on three principal ideals.  These ideals are exploration, imagination, and teamwork.  Teachers at my school must be able to use methods of exploration learning and group work.


The Questions I created to test the possible teachers knowledge on inquiry and cooperative learning were:

1. (Ice-Breaker) What is your favorite book to read to your class? Why?
2. During a cooperative lesson Mrs. May notices that in one group only one student is doing the work.  How can Mrs. May restore the group to a positive and productive working group?
3. During a cooperative lesson Mrs. May notices that in one group all three students are working individually and not as one whole unit.  How can Mrs. May encourage the group to work in a positive and productive manner? 
4. Within our school we feel the need to allow students to explore their world and come to their own conclusion.  What are some methods a teacher can use the allow this within the classroom?
5. Students have many questions about the information that is given to them in class. How can a teacher encourage a student to expand their knowledge through exploration.
6. Mr. Smith's classroom is set up in 4 rows of 5.  He is realizing that this set up is not working for the cooperative work the class is doing.  How can Mr. Smith make his classroom more cooperative work friendly?
7. Mrs. Sunshine wants to allow students more areas in the classroom to do their own exploration.  What can Mrs. Sunshine do in her classroom to allow the students to work independently (on their own)?