Monday, January 17, 2011
Freedom Writers
Watching “Freedom Writers” really got me thinking about my first year as a teacher and how difficult yet exciting that will be. I was really let down by the support and workers in the school, at first they shut down her lesson plans, they complained about the different cultures being at their school and how they are “bringing them down”, they had no hope for Erins students, and they are very judgmental. Erin Gruwell went in on her first day wanting to teach the students, she had an open mind and a purpose. Thankfully the students had Erin Gruwell as a teacher, considering the teachers in the past called them “dumb” and said they couldn’t learn. Erins teaching strategies related to the students in many ways. She changed her lesson plans to relate to the students, and to get them to accept each other and to be respectful. Some examples include when she played rap music and printed out song lyrics to teach internal rhyme and to bring that into her poetry lesson, played the “line game” where they would step up to the line if they have been in that experience, and the “toast for change” where they all got to openly share their thoughts and feelings. Erin accepted each student and truly changed their life. Freedom Writers and room 203 has a strong message for the public and for teachers and I hope someday I can make that much difference in a students life.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Why do I want to be a teacher?
Through out my life I have been asked the question “what do you want to be when you grow up”, I simply smile and reply “a teacher”. There have been many events in my life that remind me why I want to be a special education teacher.
-When I was in high school our school had a special education mentorship program, my best friend and I decided we would sign up to see what it was all about. I signed up for this program not knowing much about it, after spending a couple of weeks with the special education students, I realized that going to mentorship was becoming the highlight of my day. I became really close with the students and the special education teachers and realized that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. All of the teachers were kind, caring, patient, and the atmosphere was amazing.
-My current job consists of teaching dance to children of all ages, and I love every minute of it! Nothing beats seeing the smile on a child’s face when something “clicks” and they finally understand the material they are being taught. There are “special moments” while teaching and they truly do change your life, and I can’t wait to have that as an everyday job.
-When I was younger I moved a lot for my dads job, the transitions were always difficult but they changed me dramatically as a person. When I think back to elementary school I think of two teachers. Those two teachers were positive role models in my life, and I want to be that positive role model as a teacher for my future students.
Minnesota House takes up alternative teacher licensure
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=900178
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/01/13/minn-house-takes-up-alternative-teacher-licensure/
I feel that if you are a person highly educated in a specific area, and you pass the summer training with high standards, and you successfully pass the on the job training, then it's an okay thing to do. I don't think it is a good idea to do this in an area unless it's really needed. I strongly believe that teachers should go through the complete four years of training, and learn the critical information, and have a solid classroom experience in becoming a teacher. I feel like there would be a lot of upset parents, knowing that their child is being taught by someone that did not complete the four year program, and has not had as much training as a normal certified teacher. I feel like they should try and fill the needed positions with educated teachers who did complete the four year program, and if there is no one willing to fill the position, then go to the new proposed plan.
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/01/13/minn-house-takes-up-alternative-teacher-licensure/
I feel that if you are a person highly educated in a specific area, and you pass the summer training with high standards, and you successfully pass the on the job training, then it's an okay thing to do. I don't think it is a good idea to do this in an area unless it's really needed. I strongly believe that teachers should go through the complete four years of training, and learn the critical information, and have a solid classroom experience in becoming a teacher. I feel like there would be a lot of upset parents, knowing that their child is being taught by someone that did not complete the four year program, and has not had as much training as a normal certified teacher. I feel like they should try and fill the needed positions with educated teachers who did complete the four year program, and if there is no one willing to fill the position, then go to the new proposed plan.
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