Diverse Education

"Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common. Celebrate it every day."

-Author Unknown

Diversity is very prevalent in our school systems. Each year the classrooms become more and more diverse. As the diversity around us grows, we must grow with it as well. As educators, we have to recognize this diversity and incorporate it into our everyday lessons. We must embrace diversity and face all of the challenges that can come with it. It is a natural instinct for people to judge. How we act on that judgment can distinguish a good teacher from a great teacher.

My service learning teacher was an example of a great teacher who embraced diversity and incorporated it well into her everyday lessons. I was very impressed by her response to diversity.  She always worked well with the diverse group of students present in her classroom. She never once singled anyone out or made any one student feel different than another student. She interacted with each student in a very encouraging way and  made them understand that although we are all different, we can come together and learn new things from each other.

My service learning teacher would use the student's diversity as a way for the students to learn more about new things. For example, one week the students were studying a unit on China. During this unit she would ask the students she knew were of Chinese decent how to pronounce certain words or if they knew how to say different words in Chinese. This allowed the other students to learn words in a new language from their classmates. She also asked a few students if they had Chinese artifacts at home and the students would bring them in to show their classmates. This use of diversity allowed students to be involved and allowed the class to learn more about China. It allowed them to experience things that they may not have been able to experience without this diversity present in the class.


I had a great experience during my service learning and I learned a lot. My teacher's use of diversity made me realize that you can incorporate diversity without singling students out or making them feel indifferent. Diversity is a positive thing and should be incorporated into the classroom. The best way to learn new things is to learn from each other. There are many students from different backgrounds in each class and having them be able to share their experiences allows the students and the teacher to learn more about that student. Educators should embrace diversity and use it positively.

Sources Used:
Diversity Quotes. N.p., Google. Web. 23 Feb. 2012. http://thinkexist.com/quotations/diversity/.
Everett Education Association. Diversity. N.p., n.d. Google. Web. 23 Feb. 2012. http://www.everettea.org/diversity.
 

End of the Year

During my pre-teaching experience I had to conduct a few interviews with practicing teachers to discuss different information about the school year. One of the interviews was to discuss the responsibilities of closing out the school year. I am glad that I was able to have this discussion because it allowed me to understand some of the duties that I will be responsible for as a teacher.


To start out, the teacher informed me that the process of closing the school year begins about a month or so before school lets out and lasts after the last day of school for students due to teacher workdays. She told me that it is extremely important to stay organized and stay on top of everything throughout the year so that when it comes time to close the school year, you are not bombarded with work to do.

She let me know that toward the end of year the school conducts different ceremonies and celebrations for the students. An awards ceremony is held to recognize the students for their academic achievements. They are also congratulated for their reading achievement through accelerated reading and are able to participate in a celebration. Each individual class may also host their own end of the year celebration and recognize what their class has achieved throughout the school year.

The teacher also informed me that there are things such as receipt books and report cards that have to be turned in before the end of the year. Some of the tasks that I will be expected to perform at the end of the year are: closing out each student’s permanent record, recording final grades, documenting each student’s yearly attendance, ensuring personal information is correct for each student, and turning in any discipline forms. She let me know that the process of completing all of these tasks will go a lot smoother if I remain organized throughout the year.

She said that the most challenging part of the end of the year duties is managing your time. She said that you are responsible for completing all of these tasks on time while still being responsible for teaching your children every day. You must have good time management skills and stay on task in order to get everything completed. She said that it can be a challenge, but it is worth every bit of work that you put into it.

Conducting this interview helped me prepare for my future career as a teacher. I now have an understanding of what will be expected of me at the end of the school year. I also know the importance of staying organized throughout the year in order to get everything done on time.

There was a lot of work to do and checkpoints to be reached before applying to the elementary education program but now I see that all of it is very beneficial. It is a way to be introduced to some of the tasks of a teacher and be better prepared for that. I have already learned so much through my pre-teaching and service learning and I still have a lot more to learn. The best way to learn new things is to get out there and do it. That is why service learning is so beneficial to my education. It allows me to experience things out in the teaching field and prepare myself for the teaching profession.

Class Dawned On Me

So, I'm still waiting to hear if I am accepted into the education program or not. The set date for the results is next Monday. The anticipation is high, and I cannot wait to hear the results. I am looking forward to the email and I really hope it contains what I want to hear.

In other news, just wanted to do a little update on my classes so far this semester.

I have come to the realization that classes that I thought were not relevant have turned out to contain a lot of useful information to the teaching profession. In particular, I did not think that Lifespan Development would benefit me much once I become a teacher. However, I have come to realize that knowing how the mind develops with each phase of life would be very relevant information being a teacher. My understanding of how a child's brain is growing and developing will help me teach more efficiently. Early childhood years are critical moments to learn new information for children. The information that they learn in this stage sticks with them for a very long time.

My technology class has also brought up a lot of relevant information. In particular, the issue of copyright. I did not understand how much there was to the copyright law. Each type of material such as print, text, media, etc. all have their own copyright laws and this class has introduced me to that. I am now more aware of copyright agreements and how to legally use a piece of copyrighted material. Being aware of the copyright law will allow my actions to be legal.

My elementary math class is going okay. I am learning good material that will be very relevant once I get into the classroom. However, I wish my teacher was a little better. She does not teach the material very well and she does not really help us to learn ways that we can introduce and teach the material to children. My first elementary math teacher was awesome. He helped us learn new ways to introduce material and he had a good outlook on teaching math to young children. I wish that my current teacher would do the same thing. Instead of it being a class where we just learn the material, it should be more of a class that we learn the material as well as learn how to teach the material. Young children have different minds than adults and they need creative ways to learn tough material. I feel like my current class should help me in this aspect.

My other classes have not brought about much relevant material to my teaching profession. I am currently taking astronomy and I honestly do not understand how it will help me to become a better educator. I guess the extra science that we are required to take is just a way for us to obtain further knowledge on things that we may not have known before. I have learned a lot of fun facts that I did not know before that could apply to every day life....somehow.

Well, that's all for now. It's time to study a bit and then get a good night's rest! Goodnight!

Entry Into the Education Program

The process of applying to the elementary education program has been long and tiresome. There were a lot of checkpoints that I had to complete before I was ready to submit my application. There was also a lot of information to sort out and get together, along with essays and summaries to write. I had to meet with my advisor multiple times in order to ensure that my application would be fully complete. I was relieved when I finally was able to hit that submit button. But, then came the hardest part.

After submitting the application it was time to start the interview process. I was so nervous before I went to my interview, I could not stand it. All I could think was that this interview was going to determine my entire future. If I'm not accepted into the program for next semester, I really have no back up plan. There are no more classes for me to take without being in the program. The interview really determined a lot for me and I drove myself crazy with anxiety and nervousness. But, I calmed myself down by telling myself that this is what I am meant to be doing, and the interviewers will be able to see that by me just being myself. There was no reason to go in there and be something that I wasn't. I was going to be myself, answer the questions, and give the interview all that I got.


I believe that the interview went really well. I hope that my passion for teaching was relevant through my interview. I thought about each question that was asked and I answered with honesty and knowledge. I also was able to tell the interviewers a little about some of my experiences so far in the teaching field.
Now is the hardest part. All I can do is wait for the results.


I've been going stir crazy for almost a week now. The hardest part is not knowing if I am going to be accepted or not. I believe with my high academic achievements and successful interview, that I will be accepted. However, anything can happen and I have to be ready for whatever decision the education committee makes. Becoming an elementary school teacher is my dream, and I hope that I am given the opportunity to make that dream a reality.

Sources Used:
Sudheer, S. (2011). Cartoon Clock [Image]. Retrieved from http://thescientificorchard.blogspot.com/2011/10/time-is-not-fourth-dimension.html