My Educational Journey

 I personally believe that teachers have the responsibility to ensure students have the correct information to access the internet in order to complete assignments. In Ch. 7 it discussed teachers pre-selecting websites that students could use in order to complete their research. That is one way that could prevent students from becoming overwhelmed with the information that is basically at their fingertips. Teachers should also teach how to find out if students are researching from a creditable source.  In a classroom students should be taught to research the material they have been assigned and then be able to explain in their own way what they have learned. This ensures that students are actually learning the material, rather than just reading over it. I do think that teachers benefit from having technology in the classroom. This allows students to be able to experience things through technology that they will never be able to experience (simulation). I do think that it is ve...

 The trend in today's educational world that I feel I will most struggle with as a teacher is social and emotional learning. Social and emotional learning has a direct impact on student's mental health. In my opinion social and emotional learning is like an umbrella. There are many different causes under the mental health umbrella. Children can suffer from genetic disorders that cause mental health issues. Some of the genetic disorders are bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, Autism, and major depression disorders. All types of abuse can cause mental health issues as well. Physical abuse, sexual abuse, drug abuse, emotional abuse, verbal abuse and neglect can all cause mental health issues in today's students. There are also chromosomal disorders, such as Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome just to name a few. Traumatic life experiences such as the loss of a loved one, poverty, major health issues, and being bullied can also cause social and emotional...

 Diversity in the classroom When there is diversity in the classroom, there can be several different ways that students can be diverse. Students can differ in how they learn, their native language, race, ethnicity, gender identity, and religion. It's important to respect students as individual people with their own ideas and experiences.  Religious differences: Do your best as the student's teacher to understand the role that religion plays in their lives and honor their identity. Gender identity: Respect your student's decisions that they make for their lives. Honor their identity. Language: As the teacher to students with language barriers or English as a second language, you could possibly learn phrases from their native language. You could also display posters or art from their culture to show them that their culture is valued. Allow students to share their native language.  Race: Create an anti-racist classroom by validating student identities. Include classroom mate...

 Canning vegetables/food Teaching a lesson on how to can vegetables/food can show students a life skill that is quickly fading. Vegetables can be grown by you or bought in bulk for future eating. Teaching this lesson would show others a skill that most do not practice. Years ago, it was a way of life. Canned vegetable/foods when processed correctly can last for years. It's a way of preserving food without all of the added preservatives. The lesson would include the preparation of vegetables, the process of canning the vegetables, and properly storing the canned goods. This would be a window for many because it would show a skill that is rarely used anymore. Students that have family members who have canned vegetables /food may have fond memories of this. They may have helped their grandparents shuck corn or peel potatoes in preparation to can. People often can during times of harvest so that they can have food/vegetables for the winter months. I personally have memories of my grand...

 Growing up, I remember taking the Standard Achievement test. I was always worried about how I would do. I remember always being overwhelmed and stressed. I think that contributed to my test anxiety that continued throughout my high school years. Today, as a student I still have the fear of failure.  A positive aspect of standardized testing is that it shows where students may need improvement. A negative aspect is that it does cause stress on students. When students have the anxiety of not doing well, they may not perform as well.  

                                                                                                              January 16,2026 My elementary school years were normal childhood experiences. When I was in middle school and high school, things were tough. The teachers were not the problem. The other kids were very cruel. My religious beliefs caused me to look different. I dressed very modestly and my hair was very long. I never discussed the bullying with my teachers. Looking back, I wish I had.  I'm forty-seven years old and still remember food being thrown at me in the cafeteria.  I want to be that safe place for students. I want to be there to not only educate, but to support students that may be a little di...