A Journey of Educating, Inspiring, Learning and Changing

 

     When I applied to the Master of Arts in Education (MAED) program at Michigan State University (MSU) in March 2016, I was nearing the end of my second year of teaching and was ready to take the next step on the journey of completing my master’s degree. With two years of teaching second grade under my belt, I had a strong desire to develop a deeper and more thorough understanding of education, specifically in the areas of literacy and technology. In my original goal statement, I described this desire with four simple, yet powerful, words: educate, inspire, learn and change. Those four words, coupled with my chosen areas of concentration, are what shaped the goals I set for myself during my time in the MAED program.

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     My first and foremost goal was to become more educated in best practices for differentiated literacy instruction and assessment. I desired to learn more about ways in which I could provide the best literacy instruction as possible for my students, while also inspiring them and encouraging them to strive for greatness. My second goal was to better understand how I could best modify and implement the use of technology for learning. I wanted to become more educated in the integration of technology into all aspects of my classroom and the education I provide for students.

 

     In reflection of my original goals and where they stand now, I have come to realize that my goals are still relatively the same as I near the end of my time as a student in the MAED program. However, rather than simply wanting to learn more about literacy and technology, I now have the required knowledge and understanding, along with the necessary ability and skills, to make both of my original goals a reality each and every day in my classroom.

 

     In terms of literacy, I have developed a much more thorough understanding as to why reading, writing, speaking and listening serve as the foundation for success in all other subject areas and why it is crucial that all my students receive the best possible differentiated literacy instruction. In addition to becoming more knowledgeable on literacy instruction and assessment in my own classroom, I also learned how to be a positive source of motivation and change within any educational setting.

 

     In terms of technology, I became more educated in the teaching techniques, practices, and possibilities of integration and implementation in various subject areas. I also learned how to positively and successfully provide opportunities for students to learn through applications of technology and better understand how technology can impact their own futures as learners and citizens of the 21st century.

 

     As a professional educator and recent graduate of the MAED program, I look forward to continuing my exciting journey of educating, inspiring, learning and changing. I am eager to apply my new knowledge to accomplish my current goals, as well as whatever new goals I may set for myself as a professional educator and lifelong learner in the future!