The True Meaning of A Lifelong Learner: A Spartan for Life
Looking at my past through my goal reflections has given me a chance to think about my future as well. Previously, in 2007 and 2008, when I was finishing my Bachelors degree, I swore I would never go back to school. It only took two years for that to change, and I am thankful it did. Now, I have no doubt that I will continue this educational journey both in the near and far away futures. Through the influence of excellent professors, the inability to take 60 credits in a masters degree (yes, I would like to!) and my own realization of areas of interest, I have developed a strong desire to explore these arenas in my future education, either formal or informal. While I have only recently learned of the TPACK theory, I find that my future as a learner is strongly connected to TPACK and my desire to enhance my knowledge of the content areas, classroom management and the social aspect of school and the technological growth of future schools.
Perhaps the easiest topic to address is how I’ve been inspired by professors throughout my academic studies here at Michigan State. Especially influential have been Drs. Amelia Gotwals and Dawnmarie Ezzo in the field of science education. Because of them, my eyes have been opened to a changing world of how we teach science. In my future as an educator, I dream of schools where science is not only taught, but also learned and not only learned, but also understood. I dream of schools where students become inquisitive and interested in the growing need for earth, biological, and chemical scientists and enjoy careers fulfilling the country and world’s needs. In my current position, I have been influenced by these professors to explore ways I could change lab activities. I hope to develop more learning activities that allow students to take interest and ownership in their work through designing labs relevant to the topics covered as well as personal interests. Presently, I look towards second Masters degree in biological sciences to further enhance my abilities to teach the next generation of scientists and to help guide some of these self developed activities. Furthering my knowledge in the field I teach will expand my abilities to reach more students and to stay connected with them as they continue their own studies. I feel as though the MAED program has given me the educational component, and it is my job to now enhance my content knowledge to keep up.
In addition to my MAED program influencing my future goals, my first year as a full time science teacher has been beyond rewarding, yet has left me questioning some of my educational choices. Working with 8th graders, naturally, part of my role is to support social development as these students embark on their journey as productive members of society. Much of this first year has left me wondering why I did not pursue a Masters in School Counseling or the similar. I’ve come to be a resource for many of these students, often about conflicts with other students, family members or their own internal struggles. While I enjoy my time in the classroom, I sometimes wonder if pursuing a counseling degree would better suit me to help them in this social aspect, as well as help support me as I ultimately look for a position in school leadership. The ability to more clearly listen and respond to these social struggles would compliment my abilities and serve me well in a rewarding career working with an age group of students who so often thrive academically, but struggle socially. In the future, whether pursuing a specific degree or simply courses of interest, I am excited and eager to further develop my knowledge through courses, seminars or experiences in school counseling of psychology.
Lastly, having completed my Bachelors degree at Michigan State on campus in East Lansing, and my Masters degree at Michigan State online in Centreville, Virginia, I have experienced the scope of some of what MSU and other fortunate colleges have to offer. Currently, one of the major changes taking place in education is shifting to online instruction, support or testing, as I have experienced both in my Masters program as well as in my first year of teaching. While these online programs can be beneficial and allow learning to take place anywhere in the world, it is important that teachers educate themselves on the practices of online instruction. I am eager to explore the possibilities of online instruction, but also equally eager to learn how we can serve the social aspect of schooling while holding classes online. While great for a graduate program, some major limitations of earlier online instruction, such as school counseling, athletics and a sense of community, are important areas to look at. I hope in my future as a learner, I can explore some of the alternatives as more and more schooling is held in a virtual classroom.
While I am not sure where I will begin the next chapter of my personal learning or what the subject may be, I am sure that it will be soon. As I begin to look towards moving back home to Michigan and realizing that jobs are hard to come by and schools are looking for teachers with resources to stretch education dollars, I believe that any of these three areas of continuing study will not only fulfill my personal desire to learn, but also make me a more competitive applicant in school where I so badly want to be. I look forward to MSU always being there through online and on campus courses to help me achieve some of these goals. With this future education ahead of me and my love for Michigan State University’s academic programs, it seems as though I’ll be a true life-long Spartan!
Perhaps the easiest topic to address is how I’ve been inspired by professors throughout my academic studies here at Michigan State. Especially influential have been Drs. Amelia Gotwals and Dawnmarie Ezzo in the field of science education. Because of them, my eyes have been opened to a changing world of how we teach science. In my future as an educator, I dream of schools where science is not only taught, but also learned and not only learned, but also understood. I dream of schools where students become inquisitive and interested in the growing need for earth, biological, and chemical scientists and enjoy careers fulfilling the country and world’s needs. In my current position, I have been influenced by these professors to explore ways I could change lab activities. I hope to develop more learning activities that allow students to take interest and ownership in their work through designing labs relevant to the topics covered as well as personal interests. Presently, I look towards second Masters degree in biological sciences to further enhance my abilities to teach the next generation of scientists and to help guide some of these self developed activities. Furthering my knowledge in the field I teach will expand my abilities to reach more students and to stay connected with them as they continue their own studies. I feel as though the MAED program has given me the educational component, and it is my job to now enhance my content knowledge to keep up.
In addition to my MAED program influencing my future goals, my first year as a full time science teacher has been beyond rewarding, yet has left me questioning some of my educational choices. Working with 8th graders, naturally, part of my role is to support social development as these students embark on their journey as productive members of society. Much of this first year has left me wondering why I did not pursue a Masters in School Counseling or the similar. I’ve come to be a resource for many of these students, often about conflicts with other students, family members or their own internal struggles. While I enjoy my time in the classroom, I sometimes wonder if pursuing a counseling degree would better suit me to help them in this social aspect, as well as help support me as I ultimately look for a position in school leadership. The ability to more clearly listen and respond to these social struggles would compliment my abilities and serve me well in a rewarding career working with an age group of students who so often thrive academically, but struggle socially. In the future, whether pursuing a specific degree or simply courses of interest, I am excited and eager to further develop my knowledge through courses, seminars or experiences in school counseling of psychology.
Lastly, having completed my Bachelors degree at Michigan State on campus in East Lansing, and my Masters degree at Michigan State online in Centreville, Virginia, I have experienced the scope of some of what MSU and other fortunate colleges have to offer. Currently, one of the major changes taking place in education is shifting to online instruction, support or testing, as I have experienced both in my Masters program as well as in my first year of teaching. While these online programs can be beneficial and allow learning to take place anywhere in the world, it is important that teachers educate themselves on the practices of online instruction. I am eager to explore the possibilities of online instruction, but also equally eager to learn how we can serve the social aspect of schooling while holding classes online. While great for a graduate program, some major limitations of earlier online instruction, such as school counseling, athletics and a sense of community, are important areas to look at. I hope in my future as a learner, I can explore some of the alternatives as more and more schooling is held in a virtual classroom.
While I am not sure where I will begin the next chapter of my personal learning or what the subject may be, I am sure that it will be soon. As I begin to look towards moving back home to Michigan and realizing that jobs are hard to come by and schools are looking for teachers with resources to stretch education dollars, I believe that any of these three areas of continuing study will not only fulfill my personal desire to learn, but also make me a more competitive applicant in school where I so badly want to be. I look forward to MSU always being there through online and on campus courses to help me achieve some of these goals. With this future education ahead of me and my love for Michigan State University’s academic programs, it seems as though I’ll be a true life-long Spartan!
