Chapter 3 Notes

Who are today’s students in a diverse society? Have you ever wondered who the students are? Students can have different ethnicities; students can have basic needs, or may have linguistic and analytical abilities. Students vary from different genders, race, cultural and age. In a class room, you as a teacher need to be aware of what’s happening in your class and you need to be able to accommodate and identify any problems or concerns that any of your students might encounter. Students go through many stages in cognitive, social, emotional and physical development and every student will eventually progress through these stages. As a teacher you need to familiarize yourself with every student in your classroom. Whether it is from them having accommodation for ESL, Special education or 504, you need to be prepared to accommodate every student and make sure they are getting the required curriculum for their needs. You also have to be aware of their ethnicity, just because you don’t want to offend any student that is a particular race. Also you don’t want students bullying other students because of race or gender. Always remember that as a teacher you are not alone in this diversity, you will attend in-service’s, you have administrators and specialist that can guide you to make the right decisions.

Reflection # 3

I think from all of Howard Gardner’s intelligence, my strength would have to be Intrapersonal intelligence. It involves the ability to understand oneself, to appreciate one's feelings, fears and motivations. In Howard Gardner's view it involves having an effective working model of ourselves, and to be able to use such information to regulate our lives. We need to be able to teach the students that they need to value their lives and value their education because it is their future. They need to be able to comprehend and understand the concepts of right and wrong and to always respect themselves as well as others. Howard Gardner treated the personal intelligences 'as a piece'. Due to their close association in most cultures, they are often linked together. Mr. Howard still argues that it makes sense to think of two forms of personal intelligence. Mr. Gardner believes that the seven intelligence don’t often work by alone. They are used at the same time and tend to complement each other as people develop skills or solve problems.

Chapter 2 Notes

What is a school and what is it for? When you get hired as teacher you need to be aware of where you are going to make a good career. You need to know the institution and you will need to know how it works and how all the school procedures are put together. You want to succeed at your campus and you want to know what the administration is expecting from you. A school could be considered many things but to me it’s a learning facility for young students that are taught education. Education is a process of human growth by which one gains greater understanding and control over oneself and one’s world. In many schools they evolve around cultures. You will see several various cultures in your classrooms. Some schools tend to adopt only one culture and that may make individuals feel different because they are used to one culture and then they have to try to adjust to another culture and it may be difficult. The four basic purposes for schools are intellectual, political and civic, economic and social purposes. To become a successful teacher you need to live up to your responsibilities and understand how much hard work it takes to be part of a school.  

Chapter 1 Notes

This chapter talks about motivates for teachers and how one teachers motivation can compare to other teachers motives. Why do teachers become teachers? Teaching revolves around more than just speaking to the students. You need to follow a curriculum and you need to implement certain teaching techniques. You not only have to worry about the student, but you also have the students’ parents to worry about. As a teacher you need to be able to control the situation. The public relies on you to teach their kids and if they feel that you are not doing a good job they will take it to the next level to make sure you as a teacher are doing their job. If teaching is what you want to pursue than pursue it and always remember, “Those who can, teach.”

Reflection #2

One common practice in schools that I would like to change would be that students are not allowed to bring backpacks to school with them or take anything home with them. I know what you’re thinking but the schools can provide all of the books and materials in the classroom. Why are students bringing backpacks that are full of things that they do not need. Think about it? Some students bring drugs, guns, knives, phones and any type of other miscellaneous stuff in their backpacks. If we eliminate students from bringing backpacks and purses, we will decrease the problem. Also this means the students have to keep up with the studies in the classroom and the teachers need to be better prepared to create a study plan that will benefit the students.  Students are in the classroom for more than 7 hours a day. All work should be completed within the 7 hours. I think once the safety of our children is secured then the schools will run better academically.

Most Significant Teacher

The honest truth is that I cannot pin point just one teacher that made a difference in my life. Growing up, I challenged the Gifted and Talented test and was moved schools due to my enrollment in the GT program. All my teachers helped me succeed. They challenged us to new and better opportunities that eventually helped me succeed and reach my goals. I still recall to this day that our team of teachers that handled our classes would stay all hours of the day to plan for the following 6 weeks. I used to be in master minds and my teachers would stay every day after class to help tutor students that may have needed extra help. I used to stay, so that I would get ahead in my accelerated reader. My fifth grade teacher was Mrs. Haught. She was an amazing teacher that pushed our fifth grade class beyond our limits. That year was the first year that we began changing classes in fifth grade and she helped us transition and guided us through her classroom management skills. The teachers prepared us for what was in store for us, “Middle School.” So I cannot say that I had only one significant teacher, but I had many. I learned because of my tecahers, they guided me in the right direction and I will forever be grateful.

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