Image from: https://www.nsta.org/
Image from: https://macul.org/
Image from: https://www.nsta.org/
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As educators we never stop learning and honing our craft. This is partly why I pursued my Master’s degree at MSU, to better serve my students and improve my craft. Though this is a great way to become a better educator it will culminate in December 2021 for me. My next steps will be to implement the skills, tools, and knowledge in my classroom, share with my colleagues and district, and ...keep learning. Yes, I know that after a Master’s degree it would seem like I could just coast or take a break, but that isn’t what being an educator is about. To quote Tom Callahan from the movie, Tommy Boy, “If you’re not growin, you’re dying!” Okay a little dramatic but the idea is still true. Because I NEED to keep growing and learning I have three goals and ideas on how I plan to achieve my continued learning. I plan to join the National Science Teaching Association and have opportunities to grow my original degree in science and grow my student excitement and understanding of science through training and information. I would like to attend the Macul technology conference here in Michigan yearly and stay up-to-date on current technologies that can be used in the classroom and districts for our students. Lastly, my district has a partnership with Olivet College. With this partnership I plan to find a degree or program that will also help me grow as an educator.
Through my future membership to the National Science Teaching Association I will gain access to several opportunities of furthering my science teaching skills. Having the membership will open a new network of educators, scientists, and world leaders. I will be able to communicate with these individuals to use best and current practices as well as newest and best lessons for my students. I will be up-to-date on changes in science and be able to teach those new updates making my students be part of our fast paced and ever changing world. The membership will also allow my digital access to information and something called, “Daily Dos.” These are real world questions that get students/families thinking about the world around them and how we can start problem solving. I can use this to engage my students and find ones that connect to the lessons and curriculum I teach. Lastly, the membership will give me discounts to materials, texts, and conferences. All of these will be used to grow in my education and then educate my students and district. The Macul Conference is going on its 46th year of bringing technology to educators to use in their classes and districts. Last year was done virtually but still contained many valuable resources for educators in a time when many people were completely virtual. My district, classes, and students have benefitted from people going to this conference and then sharing technologies that they have learned. Some that we have used or learned more about recently are Flipgrid and more uses and tools in Google Classroom. My goal for attending this conference is two fold. First I want to continue to learn new and exciting ways to include technology in my classroom. I believe that this only benefits the students and gives them valuable experiences that the districts can’t keep up with. Secondly, I am looking to build my role as a leader in my district. By attending this conference I will then lead professional development in my district and be a point person on any of the technologies that my district decides to adopt. Having a leadership role is important to me because I like to help others but it also aids in my evaluation scores. The last way I am going to continue to grow as an educator is to look into getting new degrees, minors, or certificates through a partnership my district has with Olivet College. I have a unique opportunity to take courses at Olivet College at a discounted rate. After my Master’s degree at Michigan State University I plan to explore some options that I feel will help me continue to grow. I have several ideas of “programs” that would compliment my career and make me more well rounded for my students. I have provided a list of programs that I think will benefit my career and student the best. These three ideas are very manageable for me to do and have very high impacts immediately and long term. I know that these will keep me growing which in turn will keep my students growing. This table contains programs I believe to be able to help me grow as an educator and will benefit my career and my students. Each program is hyperlinked to the program details. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE MAJOR WITH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CONCENTRATION HEALTH SCIENCE MAJOR SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY SPORTS/RECREATION MANAGEMENT PSYCHOLOGY EXERCISE SCIENCE |