Journey to 2022

I began my Masters of Arts in Education, without even knowing it, while completing my teacher certification internship through Michigan State University's undergraduate program in 2019. During this program, I completed a few classes that would prepare me for my first grade teaching job at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School in Farmington, MI. During my first year as a teacher, I realized that I wanted more for myself and my students. I wanted to be the best educator I could possibly be. I felt that I needed  to be the absolute best because my current students, and my students to come, will have endured more difficulties in their education than any modern student had previously due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In just my first year of teaching, I noticed disparities unlike anything I had seen before. Online learning during the initial stages of the pandemic had created even more of a gap between where students are, and where they should be.

 

I finally decided that there was no better way to help my students than to go back to the greatest university in the country, use my teacher certification credits, and complete my Master of Arts in Education degree. At the time of my application, my goals were to:​

• further my knowledge in teaching all aspects of children's literature.

• enhance student's natural abilities for 21st century jobs. 

• incorporate modern teaching practices in the classroom.

• differentiate lessons for all types of learners.

• adapt lessons for a variety of grade levels.

• specialize in all elements of literacy to become a resource for students in all grade levels. 

• include technology in a variety of ways into all subject areas.

• prepare for any changes within my teaching career.

• communicate with a variety of educators in order to find new ideas for my classroom.

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While completing my application to Michigan State University's MAED program, I was struggling to decide what concentration would suit me best for my future goals. However, after re-reading through my goals, I realized that the literacy education concentration would be most applicable for what I wanted and needed in my classroom. 

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Now, in 2022, just a few years later, I still believe in these goals, and aspire to attain them. However, one goal continues to stick out to me: "specialize in all elements of literacy to become a resource for students in all grade levels." At the time, I did not fully realize what this goal meant to me. During my time as a as a masters student, I was inspired by my school's reading interventionist. With her guidance, passion for teaching, and knowledge of teaching strategies, I decided that I, too, would someday like to be a reading interventionist. I have always had a passion for helping students reach their full potential. In my classroom I am especially drawn to students who have struggled in their education in the past, but continue to work hard despite the challenges. I often think of myself in my elementary and middle school years when thinking about my future goals. As a student I often needed that extra push and extra help from devoted teachers who wanted to see me succeed. It is because of those devoted teachers that I am where I am today. I want to be that teacher for my students. 

 

So, in the words of Jarod Kintz, "some things change, but some things stay the same."

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