Skip to main content

The Semester in Review

This class has definitely changed my perspective in teaching, especially with the service learning requirement, in addition to the nation-wide teacher strikes and student walk outs. Reflecting on the semester I wish I would turned in more assignments on time. I was accepted into the University of Utah for next semester and I have registered for further teaching pre-requisite courses to be accepted into the College of Urban Education. I have really enjoyed my time at Utah Valley University, and will be leaving with an associates degree. The service learning has also given me a good foundation to start substitute teaching this fall, in addition to continuing my studies full time.

I have loved every minute of service learning in Megan McGinley's fifth grade class at Indian Hills Elementary. I knew from the first day when I overheard three students talking about the mile range of the new Tesla that they possessed interest in the sciences beyond what I was expecting. The last three weeks we've been rigorously preparing for their standardized testing. I am happy to see how far some students have come in their understanding of algebra, and preparing them for middle school. I have considered switching my major to math education, as math and biology teachers are more in demand compared to prospective history teachers. I have already completed a lot of the core history classes for my license, so I'm not sure if I would want to completely overhaul my major.

Following my completion of the the required courses I will be student teaching at a secondary school in the Salt Lake City area in the spring of 2020. I'm considering paying for my tuition through either the Teach Grant or the Terrell H. Bell Teaching Incentive Loan Program. Following graduation I would be required to teach at a specified school serving low-income students for four years. I believe it is these school where I can make the most difference. At the University of Utah I will have opportunities to continue my Spanish with a study abroad program in Cuba, as well as internships in Mexico and the Utah Educators Association, where I can get my first direct experience in administrative policy.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Educational Legislation

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act in 1965 was amended with the Bilingual Education Act in 1968, which largely thanks to the efforts of Spanish speakers, has become an important part of assimilation and multiculturalism in our society. Indian Hills Elementary supports students with English as a second language, and also has after-school Spanish lessons for prospective learners.  The re-authorization of ESEA in 2001 was known as No Child Left Behind. The teacher I'm currently studying under did not like NCLB for its emphasis on standardized testing, and its effect with  state educational boards eliminating curriculum in the arts, languages, history and music to provide more time for reading, writing and mathematics.  Despite NCLB being replaced with the Every Student Suceeds Act in 2015, the provisions related to perodic testing were not eliminated . As a result, there may not be a school play at the end of this year.  I remember how elated I was to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Engaged Learning

Yesterday our classroom had a district representative instruct the last two hours, teaching the fundamentals of capitalism and commodity. Throughout the year, the students take part in a series of business simulations where they are individually assigned a role in their community. This lesson focused on a popular lemonade company moving into their fictional town, and most of the students were assigned to work as the "juicers", a select few were managers, two students for advertising and two executives. Two of the juicers were unsatisfied with their role; I told them to start their own guild, in the process of gaining the support of the other juicers, and negotiate for more hourly pay, medical health savings accounts reimbursed by the company, and 401K options in exchange for their services. Most of the my time has been spent engaging students who are having difficulty with math. Megan and I make sure to review the previous day's math homework to ensure everyone in the c...
Post a Comment
Read more