FieldPost1

After visiting Noble Elementary, I changed my original perspective on what grade I use to want to teach. Originally, I did not care for a specific grade, whether it be kindergarten, third grade, or anything in between. At Noble Elementary I observed two classes; a fourth grade class and a kindergarten class. The fourth grades were learning about similarities and differences, along with tying in the aspect of respect. This appealed greatly to me because I want to be a teacher that influences kids to be good citizens. In the kindergarten class, the kids took a pre-test on simple math. After their pre-test they gathered in the front of the classroom to sing songs and dance. The kids were adorable, but I learned that I want to be teaching about more influential topics. There is only so much you can teach kindergarteners because they are still learning to read and write. The fourth graders have these basic skills, so it is easier to add in and apply more lessons about life. Being able to teach about crucial morals by tying in it with an educational lesson is something that appeals greatly to me.

Along with discovering a new perspective on the grade I want to teach, I also learned more about the type of teacher I want to be. By observing the fourth grade teacher, he focused greatly on group collaboration and participation. These are aspects that I want to include when I become a teacher one day. Being able to communicate effectively with others, and being able to share your knowledge to others are both crucial aspects that can help through-out life. These are two lessons I want to focus on when I am a teacher. I also learned that I have a tendency to make assumptions and label kids. When observing the fourth grade class, I noticed a boy who was very hyper and disruptive. I began to think that he possibly had an attention disorder or just liked to be the center of attention. Making assumptions and labeling a kid is something I need to internally work on through-out time. Overall, observing Noble Elementary taught me about the teacher I want to be one day, and the matters I need to work on to become a great teacher.

Blog Post 3

After all the readings and discussions from this week, the question that keeps coming up in my mind is; How can I be the best teacher I can be? From the readings we've learned the difficulties of being a teacher. Teachers have to work with minimal resources and a variety of kids that all range with different learning levels. To be a teacher, I have to overcome these obstacles and find a way to teach at my fullest potential. From our discussions, I've gathered that one of the most important skills of being a teacher is being an observer. I will have to observe how each individual student learns best, and apply what I know about them to how I will teach. Each student will have a unique way of how they learn best, and I must try to find a way to apply their interests in the classroom. Another important aspect of being a great teacher, is how I set up the classroom. The classroom can have a huge effect on how the kids learn. Depending on age, I must provide a space that has room for hands-on learning experiences. I've learned that an environment can restrict kids from learning, if I don't consider the best way to set up the classroom.
Another important lesson I've learned about being a great teacher is that I should not label kids. Labeling can constrict kids from reaching their fullest potential. By saying one child has a disorder, that can cause that child to not believe in themselves due to their knowledge of their disorder. As a teacher I want to make sure that every child in my classroom believes in themselves. Having confidence is very crucial in the classroom because without it a child will not ask questions, and asking questions is very crucial to learning. Asking questions is also a big part of being a teacher. As a teacher, I have to ask questions daily about how I can make myself a better teacher. I can ask both the children and the children's parents to get some insight on that question. Being able to hear and apply suggestions is going to be a big part of how I can become a better teacher. I need to be flexible and understanding of some requests that may be made by the children or the parents. Overall, to be the best teacher I can be it is going to take a lot of questions, experience and effort to apply every way that I can better myself as a teacher.

Blog Post 2

Usually when people ask me why I want to be a teacher I respond by saying "Because I love kids." Then people usually follow up by saying how there are plenty of jobs out their that work with kids. The reason I want to be a teacher is because not only do I love kids, but I've also always loved school.  I consider school a second home for everyone, since we are there for several hours a day, five times a week. A teacher has so much influence on the kids they teach, which intrigues me. I can influence kids to be kind, hard working, and respectful. I believe teachers hold the key to a better future. With the amount of influence teachers have on kids, teachers can mold a positive path for their futures. One teacher that made me realize this was my sophomore English teacher. She was a kind women who always encouraged me to put more effort into my work. When I told her about my thought on transferring from Mentor to Gilmour, she urged me to go to Gilmour. Everyday she would tell me that she thought Gilmour would be a great school for me. I honestly would not have made the transfer if it wasn't for her positive encouragement. Transferring to Gilmour was one of the best decisions I've ever made. At Gilmour i got involved with a lot of service, and worked with several rebuilding schools in Cleveland. Gilmour helped me realize why I knew I wanted to be a teacher, and I have my sophomore English teacher to thank for that.

Another question I ask myself when thinking about why I want to be a teacher, I think of my strong qualities that would make me a good teacher. I've been a tutor for many kids who have attention disorders, but have always remained positive and patient when working with them. I also have a passion for working with kids, which is necessary when becoming a teacher since working with kids is what teaching consists of. I also am good at working with a lot of commotion. When I was 14 I was a nanny for a family of five. Their ages ranged from 4 months old to 10 years old. I had to take care of a baby while keeping the older kids entertained. Along with that, I had to take care of their dog which added to the chaos I had to deal with everyday. Everyday though, I managed to control all of them while keeping them all happy. So when people ask me why I want to be a teacher it is because I love kids and want to create a better future for them, along with the fact that I believe I have the qualities that will make me a great teacher. 

Blog Post 1

My name is Ariel and I live in Mentor, Ohio. I want to major in Early Childhood Education, but I am also interested in teaching fourth and fifth grade. I want to teach all four subjects, but if I had to choose only two they would be English and Social Studies. I have always loved working with kids, and have been involved with a few tutoring programs at rebuilding schools in Cleveland. I used to play basketball until I tore my ACL last year, but am on the last month of my recovering and just started running again. This semester I plan on focusing on school, while working at Chagrin Valley Wellness Center, along with running everyday. I believe that early childhood education is so crucial to kid's futures because the earlier they can learn and excel, the better of a future they can have. This is especially important when children are in struggling families. If kids do not have people at home pushing them to succeed, teachers are crucial for helping these kids get on the right path. The article The Importance of Early Childhood Education and School Starting Age in the Reading-Writing Learning Process states that, "Because the first years of life are the years when investments are made for the future of societies, the losses that occur in this period are either hard or impossible to compensate. Early childhood education plays a vital role especially in eliminating or minimizing the deficiencies resulting from socioeconomic structure of the family" (Introduction). I strongly believe that teachers have a huge role in helping a student's future, especially ones with a struggling home life.

For learning, I need to feel comfortable with the people around me, so getting to know people is very crucial to my learning. When I feel comfortable I will share my ideas and not be scared to ask questions or participate in class. As a student, I always gravitated toward my English teachers because I love to read for fun. My sophomore English teacher was one of my favorite teachers because she would always give me books to read. When I told her about possibly transferring from Mentor High to Gilmour, she urged me to transfer, knowing it would be in my best interest. Her constant support helped me make the big decision to transfer from Mentor to Gilmour. Gilmour is where I got involved with working with schools in the Cleveland area. I worked with many kids who came from rough home lives' which is when I realized how important it is for teachers to not only help their students excel in the classroom, but also influence the students to excel outside the classroom. I believe we need teachers in early education who are willing to connect and help struggling children in and outside of the classroom.

A question I have about this class: Will we be working with any rebuilding schools in Cleveland?