Audrey Hepburn said “A quality education has the power to transform societies in a single generation”.  I consider that quote frequently, especially now at a time that seems to be full of opinions rather than facts, a time when it feels like anti intellectualism is “winning” arguments. I love the world and the beauty and wonder that it holds. My curiosity to learn new things and impart knowledge onto others is constant and growing. This, deep down, is why I became a teacher and it is my hope that the next generation is armed with thorough knowledge and logic to transform society into a better one than we know today. The realization of that hope is what I continue to work towards achieving. My future learning goals are to educate the heart to grow students that care about other people and the world they live in. I have chosen these goals because I have no doubt that students will be bombarded with ample amounts of academic rigor in all subject areas, however learning to function as a good person in society has very much fallen to the wayside, which I find very concerning and heartbreaking.  

           When I started my MAED journey, I was asked to create a sentence that describes how I want to be remembered. I often wear a necklace that says “Be the change you wish to see in the world” (Mahatma Gandhi), so I created:

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One of my MA classes was focused strongly on empathy and how it can be used to create better designs. As a kindergarten teacher I often teach social skills to my students and empathy is a skill that I focus on in particular. Teaching young people to think about another person or group’s feelings, no matter who they are, creates a peaceful, caring classroom that overflows into their life and behavior outside of school. In class, we not only focus on our own feelings, but we also discuss the feelings of people we have never met, and other living creatures that are impacted by what we do as human beings. I am constantly, and pleasantly, surprised by the compassion and desire that my students share with me each day, to make the world better. I remember covering current events as a child in school and it scaring me. However, I remember my mother sharing the quote from Fred Rogers, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping”, and we do. My class, as a whole, strives to be helpers in and out of the classroom and I hope to continue to find ways to help inspire my students in the future to make the world a better place with a simple smile or an incredible invention.  For the later goal, I would love to get my students involved in the maker movement so that they can see the possibilities that are contained within them so that they may start dreaming up their own inventions.

           Being located in an urban setting can be difficult but I hope that I can utilize the technology that I have grown familiar with throughout my program. Along with what I have gained from my program, there are also websites like Edutopia.com and social media sites, like Twitter, to find and follow new and engaging ways of getting my students more hands-on outside of the classroom experiences. Learning more about virtual field trips through sites like pbslearningmedia.com to allow my students the ability to explore and wonder about our world along with developing respect and love for it is another future goal of mine. We must be cognizant of the fact that we are all here together, that there is no “PLANet B” and when my students realize this they often step up to the challenge of brainstorming ways to make the planet better for everyone, from picking up a piece of litter on the playground to finding ways to recycle at home. I hope to continue to learn ways to inspire students to change the world for the better and take care of each other.

           As technology continues to grow and evolve I plan to keep up with the developments and utilize as much as I can in my classroom to inspire and engage my students. The MAET refresher course in Ireland is something in which I would love to be able to participate in the future. I regret not having taken advantage of the study abroad opportunities as an undergraduate and think it would be an amazing learning experience. I plan to keep reading and learning about new technologies and ideas for the classroom and as I transition from student to graduate from the program, I will continue to wear my necklace and ask myself if I am the change I wish to see. It always inspires and reminds me to be patient, kind and impart knowledge beaming with enthusiasm and joy. Hopefully ensuring that the generation of students that I send into the world are curious, respectful, kind and courageous, just as I hope to continue to be.