My Year as an Intern

This year being an intern in the Education and Training program was almost like a roller coaster. From the work days in class, to the screaming of children at my field site. From the nerve breaking days when I had to stand in front of the class and teach, to the fun days when I went out to play with the class at recess. Similar to what Lorrain Courigan says in her poem, Roller Coaster, my nausea this year was meeting deadlines. Throughout this year I had some trouble turning in assignments on time, but I am working hard on that. My elation this year has been the satisfaction of getting things completed and being able to look back at my work. So maybe I won't be "forever committed" to teaching, but I know I will carry this experience with me my whole life. I am glad I had this opportunity that not everyone had to experience what being a teacher really is like. I have a better idea now of what I want to become later in life.

High School Teacher Creates New Educational App

I read in the article eClassroom News about a high school teacher that made an app for his students. I think the app would definitely be helpful to students from middle school, to high school, and even to college. Its always beneficial to have a tool like this one to allow students to interact between themselves and the teacher. I had never thought of creating an app myself. I didn't know it was possible and that anyone could do it. If I ever made an app for my classroom it would be more like a review of what they will be learning at school and some kind of game or puzzles to help them learn and be able to memorize things better.

The Ron Clark Story

Ron Clark's 55 rules were the rules that helped change his students in a positive way. I think the most important rule from his essential 55 is rule 50, which states that you're child should be positive and enjoy life. It is important that students keep the negative out and focus more on the positive in their life. Rule 54 also stands out to me. It says that you're child should realize that he only lives today once, so he must not waste it. I would have liked this to be something teachers encouraged more in school. Rule 49 is important because children should always stand up for what they believe. I liked these rules because they don't only have to be for school, but for life in general.

In my future classroom I will have rules similar to Clark's rules. One of them will be for students to always talk to each other as friends not strangers and accept themselves the way they are. My next important rule would be for students to take some time out of their day to talk with their parents about school.

The Advantages of Technology in the Classroom

While reading this article: Advantages of Technology in the Classroom, I learned different ways technology in the classroom can be helpful. Five benefits that were addressed in the article were; access to information, editing of written works, supplementary information, communication, and student motivation. The most important advantage of having technology for me is the easy access to information from all around the world. When I am working on an important research project I no longer have to use a book because I can do the research online and have even more information. Another advantage we have from technology is that today if you want to go to college and can't figure out a schedule that works for you, you may have the option of taking you're classes online. The benefit from taking classes online is that you can't get you're degree on you're own time and you don't have to worry about getting to class on time.

My Involvement in TAFE

This year in TAFE i haven't been very active. I admit I haven't put enough effort into my involvement because I didn't want to take all of my time away from my main focus, which is to bring my grade point average up and get to a higher level in class rank. This year I have been struggling more with my grades and I need every bit of time for homework and other assignments. If I were to take this class over again I would be sure to go to at least one event.

Here are some events my peers have been involved in: TAFE online

Bullying in School

In every school someone, somewhere is being bullied. I think bullying is more of a problem than people think it is, and it should be addressed immediately. Kids who are being bullied should not have to be alone in overcoming the problem. Not only should teachers help, but students themselves should be more involved in the situation. Students who are constantly being made fun of or called offensive names are victims of bullying. All schools, like BISD, have bullying related problems even though they might not be    as severe as in other schools. I have personally witnessed bullying in my school and at my field site. I think that students should be reminded every day to treat others how you would like to be treated.
In Reference to: Fort Worth ISD's approach to end bullying

Who is Stacey Bess?

Stacey Bess started her first teaching job at a homeless shelter in a small shed on Salt Lake City's near west side. The students she was teaching were of all ages and of all grades. Stacey faced a lot of difficulties, but knew she was meant to be there. She wrote a book called "Nobody Don't Love Nobody", a story of her first teaching job. "Beyond the Blackboard", was a movie based on Stacey's story. I can't imagine being in Stacey's shoes when she first started her job teaching at the homeless shelter. I don't think I would have been able to handle it like she did. I truly admire her for her strength and willpower.

Reflections of My Fall Semester Internship

In my eyes, my attitude throughout last semester needed a lot of improvement. The work that I did might not have been the best it could have been. Part of the reason I didn't do my best was that I didn't start soon enough to complete any objective. This new semester I will get started right away so that I can complete my work and have time to enhance it. I will also be sure to take more initiative in the classroom, I want my mentor to know what I am capable of doing.

The Ideal Classroom

I think that the idea of a "Starbucks Classroom", or, a classroom without the typical desks and white board is a great idea. When I go into a traditional classroom with individual desks set up in rows I get the feeling of work which leads me to feeling tired when I haven't even started anything. If the classrooms were more comfortable and appealing, the students could actually feel better about going to school. Students would be more willing to learn in an environment that makes them feel more comfortable and united to others, rather than isolated in a separate desk. The idea of having a couch in a classroom reinforces the idea of working together because you won't be sitting alone on a couch and you can work in partners or in groups. I think that the more interaction in a classroom the better.

In response to: Lewisville ISD trades rows of desks for sofas