FieldPost1

After visiting Noble Elementary School, I was able to have a first hand look as to what being a teacher is like. I was able to sit in on two different classes and grades, which were very different. The first class that I observed was a fourth and fifth grade Spanish class. In this class, the teacher used various techniques in order to keep control of her students. She needed these methods because her students were very energetic and loud. One of the ways she used to try to get rid of some of their energy was she would start off class with a Spanish dance video. She would pull up a child's song and have the students dance along with the video. This was a good way to get rid of some of their energy and to get the students to begin to start focusing on the speaking and listening to Spanish. Once she started the class, she would "pop" out students if they weren't listening, being disruptive, or not paying attention. These students would go to the back of the room until the next activity started and then they would be allowed to come back in. I think that both of these methods are good ways to try to gain the respect and control of your students. The next class that I sat in on was a third grade English class. These students were completely different from the ones that I had just come from observing. The students were attentive, respectful, tentative, and worked on the class work that was assigned to them. They listened and respected their teacher and seemed like they wanted to be there and to learn. The students would raise their hand if they had a question and worked to complete their work. The way that the teacher got the students involved was by letting them come up to the SmartBoard and write down their answers. This way, the whole class would be able to check their work to make sure that it was correct and that way they could work on their handwriting in order for the class to be able to read their work. 

Descriptions 

• Kids have high energy
• Side conversations during the middle of class
• Were there to learn 

Interpretations

• Have high energy because they might not have much time to play and interact any other time
• Want to talk and interact because they might not have any other siblings to talk to 
• Appreciated their education because it might be a good escape from their home situations

BlogPost3

A question that comes to mind when I look back on our readings and our class discussions is: if teaching requires a huge amount of responsibility and is a necessary part in a child's life, then why is teaching so underpaid and unappreciated? This is a question that I continue to ask myself because schooling has become a necessary part in everyone's life. I feel that our society needs to grow and understand the importance of teaching and how much responsibility is required when taking on such a position.

BlogPost2

Why do I want to become a teacher?
I want to become a teacher because I want the opportunity to help people and make a positive impact on their lives. In the past, I have had both good and bad teachers who have, in some way, impacted who I was as a student. I want to be able to be a positive influence in our future generations live and become someone that they can look up to. The scariest thing to think about, for me, is the amount of responsibility that comes with being a teacher. You have to constantly be aware of what the students are doing and you have to have the ability to teach the curriculum. You also have to be constantly aware of your mood. The way you are feeling, reflects the way that you will teach. It is always important to remember to put the students first, in order to help them succeed.

BlogPost1

Hi my name is Danielle Brinkmann and I am from Cincinnati, Ohio. I am interested in becoming a third grade teacher and possibly taking extra classes to also receive a degree for fourth through sixth grade. If I took those extra classes to extend my degree, I would like to look into becoming a fourth grade math teacher. I am a dancer and have been on the dance team since my freshman year of high school. I also was a part of the women's chorus and show choir at my high school. A few aspects that I could bring into the classroom is my bubbly personality and my love for helping others. Something that is significant to me is to live in the moment. Taking things for granted and not appreciating things in life can make you lose a sense of all of the wonderful things that have been placed before you. Life hands us so many opportunities that people take for granted and it is our job to learn to appreciate them and all that life has to offer. Mitch Albom is one of my favorite authors and in his book Tuesday's With Morrie he states, "So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. They way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning." Albom sums this up perfectly because I believe that the true meaning in life is being happy and helping others.

For me to feel comfortable in order to take intellectual and creative risks inside the classroom I would first want to be comfortable with my classmates. I would like to get to know them better in order for me to become comfortable with them in the classroom. I feel that once I am comfortable with my peers, then I will be able to step out of my comfort zone to begin to take educational risks. I have been lucky enough to have many great memories throughout my years as a student. My teachers have all been kind and caring towards all of their students. In high school, there were two teachers who helped to shape me into the person that I am today because of the faith that they had in me. First, was my sophomore Scripture teacher. Her class was challenging and I was struggling. Instead of letting me continue to struggle, she helped me prepare for her test and gave me helpful test taking skills in order for me to succeed in her class. Second, was my junior English teacher. I was struggling with memorization and understanding the concepts of the readings that were learning. I began to meet with her in order to figure out the best way for me to study in that class. What these two teachers have in common, was their belief in me. When I thought that I couldn't do it and that I wasn't smart enough to be in their class, they helped me figure out what works best for me and showed me that I could do it. They didn't give up on me and they encouraged me to do my best. Some issues that I have facing the field of education is me not being prepared enough in order to help out the students. Teachers play such an important role in children's lives that I am scared that I won't make a positive impact in their lives as a student.

If you weren't a college professor, what grade level and subject would you teach?