Time Changes Many Things, but Important Goals Withstand the Test
By: Kerri Belen
_ In the fall of 2008 I
began my teaching career in a small district near Lansing, MI. I was ecstatic to have found a job in
Michigan and was ready to “jump in” with both feet. I thought I had a lot to offer because I had
just graduated. I had many skills in
technology and new teaching ideas, more experienced teachers might not
have. However, as I began to teach, I immediately
knew I had a lot to learn about being a successful teacher. It was a difficult year and I spent many late
nights at the school trying to figure out what I was doing. I attended numerous professional development
opportunities and by the end of my first year I decided I wanted to pursue my
Master’s degree. It was not a difficult
decision for me to choose my program because I wanted something off campus that
would not be jeopardized by any job changes.
In April of 2009 I submitted my references and “goal statement” essay to
the Master of Arts in Education program at Michigan State University.
As I look back now, at the end of my Master’s journey, it is amazing to think about all the changes that have occurred, both good and bad, over the last two and a half years. When I read through my “Goal Statement” in my Master’s application I was taken back to a much different time in my life. Since then I have changed grades, gotten married, bought a house, got a new puppy, and begun talking about starting a family. During that time I have also suffered the loss of a student, a parent, and beloved colleague in our district. There have been hard times with early retirements, layoffs, cuts, and administrative change, but through it all my goals have stayed the same. Rereading my goal statement made me chuckle because it sounded so similar to the letter I recently wrote to the editor of my school’s local paper.
My district is asking for a technology and security bond that will bring our students into the 21st century and make them more competitive in our global society. I am a member of the bond committee actively working to get the bond passed. Since I am also a member of our district’s technology committee and a resource for technology in the Elementary building I decided to write a letter to the editor, explaining why this is not only something our students will benefit from, but something they desperately needed. In my letter I talk about how passing the bond could not only level the playing field for our students, but also tip it in our favor by giving them cutting edge technology. This is the same mentality I had almost three years ago when I was writing my goal statement. I said, “I will strive to use the skills I gain through this program to help my students not only catch up, but excel in our global society.” I am obviously still on track with this goal and the technology courses I have taken in my MAED program have completely changed the way I teach. I have seen what technology can offer our students. It has made me so much more passionate about technology and its integral role in education.
In addition to my goal of integrating technology I wanted to find strategies for teaching across the curriculum. Through my coursework I have learned about creative and intuitive ways to bring all the subjects together. I know I have helped students make connections on a deeper level because they are constantly relating what they are learning in one area to something we have been talking about in another. They do “research” about science concepts at home and check out books from the library on the topics we discuss in Michigan history and science. Every day they amaze me with their love of learning. I know my teaching has been positively affected by my experiences in the MAED program and I am excited to continue this journey in my teaching career.
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As I look back now, at the end of my Master’s journey, it is amazing to think about all the changes that have occurred, both good and bad, over the last two and a half years. When I read through my “Goal Statement” in my Master’s application I was taken back to a much different time in my life. Since then I have changed grades, gotten married, bought a house, got a new puppy, and begun talking about starting a family. During that time I have also suffered the loss of a student, a parent, and beloved colleague in our district. There have been hard times with early retirements, layoffs, cuts, and administrative change, but through it all my goals have stayed the same. Rereading my goal statement made me chuckle because it sounded so similar to the letter I recently wrote to the editor of my school’s local paper.
My district is asking for a technology and security bond that will bring our students into the 21st century and make them more competitive in our global society. I am a member of the bond committee actively working to get the bond passed. Since I am also a member of our district’s technology committee and a resource for technology in the Elementary building I decided to write a letter to the editor, explaining why this is not only something our students will benefit from, but something they desperately needed. In my letter I talk about how passing the bond could not only level the playing field for our students, but also tip it in our favor by giving them cutting edge technology. This is the same mentality I had almost three years ago when I was writing my goal statement. I said, “I will strive to use the skills I gain through this program to help my students not only catch up, but excel in our global society.” I am obviously still on track with this goal and the technology courses I have taken in my MAED program have completely changed the way I teach. I have seen what technology can offer our students. It has made me so much more passionate about technology and its integral role in education.
In addition to my goal of integrating technology I wanted to find strategies for teaching across the curriculum. Through my coursework I have learned about creative and intuitive ways to bring all the subjects together. I know I have helped students make connections on a deeper level because they are constantly relating what they are learning in one area to something we have been talking about in another. They do “research” about science concepts at home and check out books from the library on the topics we discuss in Michigan history and science. Every day they amaze me with their love of learning. I know my teaching has been positively affected by my experiences in the MAED program and I am excited to continue this journey in my teaching career.
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