One of the courses I am taking this semester is a pre-professional internship--a course designed to prepare me for my student teaching experience next semester. Through this course, I will be teaching in a public school for five weeks. I haven't been assigned my school placement yet, but should be in the coming week or two.
One of the textbooks we have been assigned for this course is Your First Year of Teaching and Beyond by Ellen L. Kronowitz. The book focuses specifically on the needs and concerns of intern teachers and first-year teachers, which is a huge relief. I feel like my program has been very thorough in teaching me much of the theory and many of the best practices, but I am lacking in practical experience and application.
The text is set up in a format similar to a workbook, with removable handouts in the back and various prompts throughout. I intend to answer some of the prompts here as I read, so I will be able to reflect back on this as I continue through my teacher education program. This class stresses self-reflection and self-evaluation--hopefully recording my responses to the prompts will encourage those.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Update
I recognize that I haven't posted here in a while. I was thinking about discontinuing the idea of blogging about this experience, but I know that later on it will be nice to have.
Going into Newark was great. I loved just getting to explore the city a bit and check out the schools where I might be placed. I know I said I was going to post pictures, and maybe I will later. I still need to upload them all--this summer's been a busy one.
I took classes toward my master's degree in the first summer session, but this session I have off (from classes). I'm still working at the Office of Residence Life at Lehigh as the summer intern, and I'm absolutely loving it.
It's hard to believe that I am moving back to Lehigh in just over three weeks. The summer has flown by, but I can't wait.
Right now, in addition to working and trying to get organized for school, I'm also participating in a book club with my future Teach for America colleagues. We're reading The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore. We have our first conference call about the book on this coming Thursday, so maybe I'll get to post again after that.
I don't think I have any readers yet--I suppose I can't expect to considering how infrequently I post--but if you do see this, feel free to drop me a comment and let me know!
Going into Newark was great. I loved just getting to explore the city a bit and check out the schools where I might be placed. I know I said I was going to post pictures, and maybe I will later. I still need to upload them all--this summer's been a busy one.
I took classes toward my master's degree in the first summer session, but this session I have off (from classes). I'm still working at the Office of Residence Life at Lehigh as the summer intern, and I'm absolutely loving it.
It's hard to believe that I am moving back to Lehigh in just over three weeks. The summer has flown by, but I can't wait.
Right now, in addition to working and trying to get organized for school, I'm also participating in a book club with my future Teach for America colleagues. We're reading The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore. We have our first conference call about the book on this coming Thursday, so maybe I'll get to post again after that.
I don't think I have any readers yet--I suppose I can't expect to considering how infrequently I post--but if you do see this, feel free to drop me a comment and let me know!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
First Visit
Well, I'm going to Newark today! My mom and I are driving in to check out all the schools. Even though I have no idea which one I'll be placed in yet, I'm really excited to see what's there and just get a feel for the city.
I'll update with some pictures later!
I'll update with some pictures later!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Accepted: Teach for America!
Sorry I haven't updated--finals have me completely overwhelmed.
Good news, though! I was officially accepted to the 2013 Teach for America corps, and I have been placed in Newark. Since I applied a year early, I won't know what grade or subject I'll be teaching until November, but I'm still really excited!
I'll update more about the work TFA is doing in Newark later, and I'll let you know when I hear more about my placement as well!
Good news, though! I was officially accepted to the 2013 Teach for America corps, and I have been placed in Newark. Since I applied a year early, I won't know what grade or subject I'll be teaching until November, but I'm still really excited!
I'll update more about the work TFA is doing in Newark later, and I'll let you know when I hear more about my placement as well!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Assessment
I had my exam in my K-12 Assessment and Measurement class yesterday. I feel like I did well overall, but the one essay definitely threw me for a loop. It asked me to write about my philosophy on education and how high-stakes testing positively or negatively influences it. I was very familiar with the article this question was referencing, but I honestly didn't know how to write about my philosophy on education in only one page. It's also something I expect to develop over the course of many years of teaching--not something I would be able to have pinned down after a few masters classes and some classroom observations.
Maybe once I get the exam back, if my professor thinks I did well on it, I'll post it here.
Maybe once I get the exam back, if my professor thinks I did well on it, I'll post it here.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Teach for America
In addition to working toward a career in teaching through my studies at Lehigh University, I have also applied to Teach for America.
In January, I applied for the 4th deadline to join the 2012 Teach for America corps. I managed to skip the phone interview round and be invited directly to a final interview. When I got my official acceptance to Lehigh's College of Education for my 5th year, I immediately contacted TFA admissions. I still really wanted to join TFA, but I hoped that I would be able to transfer my application to the 2013 corps application pool. The fabulously helpful individuals who work for admissions at TFA said it was not a problem to move me. They just transferred my application and pushed my final interview into the last application deadline pool.
I had my final interview in March, and in just one week from now I get to hear their decision. I think the interview went very well, but I'm still nervous. I know how competitive the corps is. I'll update about it as soon as I get a response.
In January, I applied for the 4th deadline to join the 2012 Teach for America corps. I managed to skip the phone interview round and be invited directly to a final interview. When I got my official acceptance to Lehigh's College of Education for my 5th year, I immediately contacted TFA admissions. I still really wanted to join TFA, but I hoped that I would be able to transfer my application to the 2013 corps application pool. The fabulously helpful individuals who work for admissions at TFA said it was not a problem to move me. They just transferred my application and pushed my final interview into the last application deadline pool.
I had my final interview in March, and in just one week from now I get to hear their decision. I think the interview went very well, but I'm still nervous. I know how competitive the corps is. I'll update about it as soon as I get a response.
URL Explanation
As part of my English major, I took an American Literature class. It was with one of my favorite professors in the department, and we read a lot of different works that touched me in ways I wasn't expecting in a survey course.
One of my favorite pieces from the entire semester is a chant from the Zuni people, a Native American tribe. It's called Sayatasha's Night Chant. The entire thing is beautiful, but I found this part especially moving:
May you be blessed with light;
May your roads be fulfilled;
May you grow old;
May you be blessed in the chase;
To where the life-giving road of your sun father comes out
May your roads reach;
May your roads all be fulfilled. (as recorded in the Norton's Anthology of American Literature Vol. 1)
After we read it, my professor made a habit of ending each class by saying to us, "May your roads reach." I've since taken it on as one of my personal mantras or prayers.
One of my favorite pieces from the entire semester is a chant from the Zuni people, a Native American tribe. It's called Sayatasha's Night Chant. The entire thing is beautiful, but I found this part especially moving:
May you be blessed with light;
May your roads be fulfilled;
May you grow old;
May you be blessed in the chase;
To where the life-giving road of your sun father comes out
May your roads reach;
May your roads all be fulfilled. (as recorded in the Norton's Anthology of American Literature Vol. 1)
After we read it, my professor made a habit of ending each class by saying to us, "May your roads reach." I've since taken it on as one of my personal mantras or prayers.
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