My work as an educator for over 25 years and having served in different capacities both at the school level and at the central office has shaped my core values and beliefs. According to Devi (n.a.), education is a means of self-realization, the attainment of truth, and an all-round development of individuals. As educators, we are tasked with the responsibility of providing best academic opportunities, developing social and emotional values, nurturing the growth and development, and helping children realize that they are worthy members of society. In addition, it is also important for educators to accept the diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, individual differences, learning styles, and multiple intelligences that the student body brings …show more content…
According to the Epic Blog (n.d.), "The United States will need approximately 1 million more STEM professionals than are projected to graduate over the next decade." Although the unemployment rate is declining, yet many jobs remain unfulfilled due to lack of educational background and experience of individuals in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math). I hope my research in “Enhancing Teacher and Leadership Efficacy in STEM Education” will help address the challenge of preparing students for college and career at least in my school district, if not globally. The following core values as stated during the introductory course in ACE University have further shaped my beliefs and ethical considerations in the work I plan to pursue during the course of my research process. Excellence: Achieve excellence in teaching and learning through rigorous instruction, relevance to real-world applications, creativity, and …show more content…
Since my research clients will be schoolteachers and administrators, they may deem the actual research process as consequently affecting the evaluation of their performance. According to Brevik (2013), “ The challenge for a school leader is how to determine what a school 's obligation is in such a situation, as well as which consequences will produce "more overall good" than the alternative. Another challenge I anticipate is identifying participants for research. I will have to be cautious about coercion. Participants should not feel obligated or pressurized to participate in any research activity. If teachers perceive the power of relationships between themselves and their leader as uneven, and if they feel that they have to consent to what their school leader proposes, it might be problematic when the school leader grants participation in a project (Brevik, 2013). The bureaucracy at the school level may be another hindrance to the research process. Ryen (2011) and Homan (2001) point out that some people hold positions as gatekeepers where they are able to provide a researcher access to a group that is willing to consent in that particular context. Another challenge I anticipate is that of informed consent. Ensuring that all participants have received relevant information about the research process, and voluntarily consent to
I have already discussed the importance of Boy Scouts in my life. FIRST Robotics has also been very important to me my development. FIRST Robotics inspired me to pursue a career in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). I want to further encourage students to pursue STEM and to develop their leadership and communication skills to better prepare them for the future. In ten years, I plan to mentor a FIRST Robotics team to encourage the development of these skills.
One of the reasons I chose to the book Other People’s Children by Lisa Delpit was because I want to be aware of the stereotypes and prejudices this books might uncover that I had and didn’t know I has. Teaching in a DLI program there is big diversity in our school and community. I want to be able to be culturally competent and be able to eliminate my cultural assumptions. I want to be able to understand where my students are and families are coming from so I can adjust my teaching methods and strategies. I thought it was very interesting how in her introduction she talks about how the educational system in this country is more focused on the standardized tests, scripted lessons and mandated classroom management strategies that they seem
Schools have always had issues of racism, prejudice, and students that lack the necessary education to assist them in a healthy future. If a new concept of school policy was introduced that could end all of that, would you consider it? In Dennis Prager’s speech regarding his unique, yet exceptional principles, would provide nothing but positive growth within his students. People should agree with Prager’s principles because they would encourage unification, teach young men and women skills valuable in life, and would allow students to focus solely on an education that bring nothing but an admirable future. First off, in Prager’s speech he mentions that “this school will no longer honor race or ethnicity.”.
(pg.80) Acknowledging and embracing a student’s racial or ethnic background is important, but it is just a piece of the educational puzzle. Effective teachers must be culturally responsive, with fine-tuned classroom management skills, and high expectations for all their students. It is crucial for an effective
As Nelson Mandela once said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Donovan Livingston, a graduate at Harvard Graduate School of Education, has similar views on education. His passionate and inspiring speech called “Lift Off” was given at HGSE’s Commencement Ceremony on May 25, 2016. The speech discusses the importance of education as well as the obstacles and injustices students, especially those of color, have experienced throughout history in getting an education. Livingston’s graduating classmates who are becoming teachers, as well as teachers and educators in general, are the audience of his speech.
Although there are many circumstances that contribute to choosing a STEM career, positive role models are the most influential in empowering adolescents to choose an education in STEM. Currently in the United States, while the dependence on STEM workers is increasing, the interest
I believe that all children are individuals, unique in their abilities, from a wide diversity of backgrounds and cultures, and they also have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Educators are observers and designers who have to observe children’s abilities, interests and learning styles for designing a curriculum that fulfill everyone’s needs. Observers also play an important role on noticing individual differences and offering help to children who have lower ability to improve
Though testing is necessary with the current structure of evaluating students, there is a conscience effort to improve schooling for students. Hoping to stay teaching in Eastern Washington, I am excited to see teachers setting the foundation for change. I hope that I have the opportunity to not only help my students inside the classroom but also in a more political way that will help students that I am not teaching. Like many things that I’ve experienced in these last ten weeks of class, my thoughts on education have definitely been
If a child cannot learn the way I teach then I will teach the way the child learns. My aim is not to be a sage on the stage but a guide by the side. Involving inclusive pedagogy in my personal education will allow me to achieve my goals. I impart knowledge, I guide learning, I channel ideas, I create opportunities, I impact lives, I TEACH!
We both also believe that students should be encouraged to continuously develop their communication, critical thinking, and ethical skills. There are a variety of research
The diversity of student backgrounds, abilities and learning styles makes each person unique in the way he or she reacts to information. The intersection of diverse student backgrounds and active learning needs a comfortable, positive environment in which to take root. Dr. King continues by explaining, “Education which stops with efficiency may prove the greatest menace to society. The most dangerous criminal may be the man gifted with reason, but with no morals.” From back then to today’s society, kids are failing because they lack those morals that they need to succeed.
A teacher is no longer the source of learning, rather a facilitator of learning. As a teacher I should know my student and understand that all students possess diverse backgrounds, by knowing your students, I will be able to decide which teaching style and strategies are needed to maximize their learning. I strongly believe it is vital to encourage the integration of culture, ethnicity, and life experiences into personal and corporate learning. I believe it is important to develop and implement innovative strategies in teaching. I feel that student learning is enriched and confidence increased with the utilization of
Every student with disabilities is also obligated to an IEP specifically for the student’s needs between the ages of 3 and 21 under IDEA. The IEP is created by a team of six or seven, depending on the age of the student. The six members are the parents, an individual that can explain the assessment results, keep in mind, the faculty of the school must not under any circumstances conduct the evaluations without parental consent. Also included is the general education teacher, a local representative from the local education department, the special education teacher and of course the student, who must be included in the meeting if the student is fourteen or older. In this IEP meeting the team members go over what has been planned for the IEP
Though there have been many philosophies of education over the years, there are two that encompass my belief system most, traditional and progressive. Most educators do not believe both philosophies can exist at the same time; however, during my study it became apparent that the two philosophies do not have to be mutually exclusive. In sharing my personal philosophy of education, I will share the benefits of both theories and how I would like to see them combined for the benefit of my school and
My first reaction to having to read True Education by Ellen G. White was “oh great, I have to read another Ellen White book.” Throughout my life I was preached at about how Ellen White said such and such, meaning if I do not follow what she says I am a rebelious and unrighteous person. With this being said, I am glad that I was able to put my negative thoughts aside and dig deep into the topics, because after reading the book I have gained some new ideas and perspectives on how to go about educating in the classroom. However, I am only going to focus on the few that really stuck out to me. Some of them being able to comprehend the nature of human beings and their purpose, using several different teaching tactics, and the need for teachers and parents to work together.