From the Eyes of the Author

 

 

Here is a synopsis of the book that I wrote called the Little Family.

A New Direction

After teaching for twenty-two years, my faith has called me in a new direction. I have left teaching in order to pursue a writing career, something that I have wanted to do since I was a high school student. I love writing! It inspires me!

I have been blocked out of my old blogger account so I have created a new one. But since I still have access to my work, I have copied and pasted my original writings on educational issues in this new blogger account. If you want to access my original blog, the link is on the right side of the page under the Link gadget.

Growing Your Mind Video Reflections

Written on February 24, 2021

After watching the video, "Growing Your Mind", by Khan Academy, I was really impressed with the new research that discusses how the brain is classified as a muscle. As an athlete, I worked hard all of my life to be strong. I did this by running, exercising and lifting weights in order to build muscle, strength & flexibility that I would need for athletics. I worked on our daily farm milking cows and bailing hay. I have witnessed first hand how my muscle strength has increased and improved through the use of various types of exercises. So, it was enlightening to know that I can do this with my brain as well. 

A Fresh Look at Education

Written on September 20, 2020

Over these last few months, education has taken on a new face with hybrid/remote learning. Over this time period, I have had time to reflect on this new look and evaluate its role and importance in the lives of teachers and our students. I believe that the new hybrid models that many schools are incorporating into student learning is changing education in a very positive way. I am hoping that when the pandemic passes, that educators will NOT resort back to their old ways, but continue to explore the wide open possibilities that remote learning has brought into the classroom. At the present time, I have found that students are learning skills that they might not have learned in the past. Students are learning extremely important computer skills that they will need for their future careers. I believe they would have not received these types of skills if educators were not forced to implement them because of the pandemic. I am finding that students are learning how to read and follow directions more carefully; they are following step by step procedures better; and they are now relying on their own ability to discern and interpret information rather than relying on others to interpret it for them. I think all of these skills are essential skills that are preparing them for the work place. Educators, though forced through the pandemic, are also exploring new ways to teach curriculum online. Teachers are learning and growing with their students due to this pandemic, which is amazing. Let's face it, education is a conservative world that sticks to what it knows and does best without taking many risks, which often leaves it out of touch and out of date.

Students: Consumers or Window Shoppers

Written on June 28, 2020

This summer I had the opportunity to read two books that have challenged me to revisit my position as a teacher. The first book was 'Empower" by John Spencer and A.J. Juliani, and the second book was "Educated Design" by Michael Cohen. Both of these books may be ordered through Amazon.

As an educator, I was taught that the business curriculum we define for students should be a curriculum that prepares them for the real world. I have spent my entire career as a teacher working on this goal. Inviting speakers into the classroom, providing projects and activities that would be engaging for students, using gamification to help students learn concepts and business terms, and having student collaborate and share work hoping they would absorb the information that would help them be better prepared for their future.

What I Have Learned From Remote Learning

 ⭐⭐This year has probably been the most interesting year of teaching. With all its normal challenges, I encountered for the first time as a teacher, remote learning. I have to admit, that I really did enjoy remote learning. This is not to say that I did not miss the actual classroom, because I did. It was hard to go through each day of school without seeing student faces and interacting with them. Even though I could use Zoom, Teams or Google Meet during remote learning, it just was not the same. There is something about being present with the students, without barriers, that adds a very positive and important dimension to education that is definitely absent in remote learning. It was also hard not to see my colleagues every day and chat with them about whatever was unfolding at our school. I think we often take for granted their daily support; remote learning awakened me to how vital that support is to my success as a teacher.

Remote Learning: Good or Bad?

 

Written on April 7, 2020

We are presently in our third week of Remote Learning, or E-School. As a teacher, I am always curious about new ways of learning. As in any new learning environment, I find that Remote Learning has its advantages and disadvantages. The focus of this article will be on some of the major advantages and disadvantages surrounding Remote Learning.

Disadvantages: At the present time, I find that there are a few major disadvantages to Remote Learning. The first major disadvantage is not seeing the students on a daily basis. One of the reasons why I went into teaching was because I wanted to work side by side with high school students. Remote Learning does not allow for this since all work is done online. Even though you use apps such as Zoom, Hangouts and Screencastify to communicate with students, it is not like being in the actual classroom with the students. I miss seeing their faces, their laughter and their tears; I miss their stories and their sharing; and I miss their successes and their struggles. I miss the crazy things they do. It is great to watch students when they overcome a struggle with a specific problem or step. To see their faces light up when they find success, makes teaching exciting. In general, I miss watching them mature and grow up.