My Education Blog!

Hi everyone! I have finally done it; I am stating my education blog! I guess and introduction is always a good place to start so here is a little bit about me: Well I just got home from South Korea, where I was teaching English to a wide variety of ages. Our school specialized in the elementary school years, but I also taught adults, and pre-kindergarten. It was the most fabulous experience, learning a different language, and living in a completely different culture. What I found most enjoyable about the whole experience was working with the students. I never thought that I would have to patience or knowledge to teach younger children, but their outlook on the world just left me dumbfounded! As soon as I was teaching I realized that these students needed someone to look up to, someone who was patient with them, and someone who could engage them and encourage them to speak English, without them necessarily knowing! The most challenging part of the whole experience was reminding myself that these students do not speak English as their first language, so patience is not just a virtue, but a necessity. I found that if the students were in a comfortable environment, participating in engaging activities, they were way more likely to use English, than in a rigid, strict classroom. Overall the experience showed me that not only do I want to teach, I want to continue to be involved with ESL students. Before I moved to South Korea, I graduated with my Master of Arts from Southeast Missouri State, in English. This is where my decision to become a teacher was really concreted. As a graduate assistant I was required to teach a beginning English course at the University. It was a sink or swim moment. But, after the first semester, I realized that if I was organized, showed my students the expectations for the assignments and had a bit of fun in the class, students responses were overwhelmingly positive to my teaching style, and it was the first time I could officially say, “Yes, I want to be a teacher.” I graduated in 2008 from Bethel College in Tennessee, with my Bachelor of Arts in English, with an art minor. How did a Canadian girl end up all the way in Tennessee? Softball. All of my hard work in high school paid off, and I was lucky enough to get a softball scholarship to help pay my way for school. I know that in high school I was really worried about what I would do when I graduated, but I am hoping through my experience down south I can encourage and guide my students and show them that it is possible to get scholarships if you are passionate, persistent and willing.

While I have had wonderful experiences teaching students from the ages 4 to the age of 60, I feel like the place I am suppose to be is in a secondary setting. I know that throughout my high school, part of the reason I had such an enjoyable experience was because of certain teachers. Not only did they help me with my studies, but really helped guide me to make decisions outside of high school. I want to be able to have the same influence over young adults, while teaching subjects that I am extremely passionate about.

So here I am now, in the Secondary PDP Teacher Education Program. It has been a month since I have started, and while the overwhelming feeling is there, I feel like I have settled into the classes, made friends, and got a hold on how the education assignments work. While I have blogged before, this blog, serves to act as a place for reflection, assignments, thoughts, and processes as I journey my way through the program. So here I go!