I am ready to take the next step in my academic and career planning. As mentioned, I will be starting the Elementary Education program in a couple of weeks, and I am so excited. I am looking forward to learning the things I need to know to be able to help young children learn about the world around them, and become lifelong learners.
As I reflect on this semester, and this class in particular, I realize that I have learned a lot. I’ve always known that I wanted to be a teacher, but the activities and assignments that I completed in this class solidified my decision in stone.
I really enjoyed the informational interview and job shadow that was required. These two experiences helped me realize that I’m going into a career that I’m really going to enjoy. While doing the informational interview, I was able to see the passion that Mrs. Poulsen had for teaching, and how much she loved her job, even when it is hard.
But the job shadow, where I was actually able to go in and see a teacher in action made me so excited to be in Mr. Richins’ position as a teacher. I loved watching him with his students and the interaction between them. I was able to see a teacher who had control over his class and get a few ideas on classroom organization and discipline.
The one assignment that I drug my feet on thinking it was going to be a waste of time but wasn’t, was the assessment review through the ACC. To tell you the truth, I really didn’t want to do it, but did it anyway and I was so surprised when I went to the meeting.
After meeting with my group and going over the two assessments we took, I was convinced that I am going into the correct field of work. On both the MBTI report and the SII report some kind of teaching was at the top of the list for best careers. I loved having these two assessments back up my decision to become a teacher. And I believe that these assessments are something that should be taken by all new freshmen coming into college, and also before declaring a major. I think they would be so helpful to anyone having a hard time deciding on which direction they want to go.
I feel so lucky to have stumbled onto this class. I have learned a great deal about myself and my future career. I also want to say thank you to you, Professor Haynes for being there to be a guide through this course and being a very positive voice throughout everything.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
My Decision Making Model
It's funny how decision making changes over time. I look back to when I attended my only sememster of college after high school. My decision making process was a "fly by the seat of my pants" type of process. I really didn't think about things before I did them becuase the concequences effected me and only me. Now that I've been an adult for a "few" years, I make very careful decisions becuase the concequences not only effect me, but also my husband and children. I don't sit down and actually make a pro's and con's list, but I do it in my head. But I do find my self making check lists so my decisions can come to fruition. And also, when you get married and have children, not only are you making PERSONAL decisions, you are making decisions that effect your marriage, and when your children are young enough, you are making decisions for them. It's a big part of my life right now, making decisions for me, my relationship and children, but it is worth it, and if you can teach children this process early on they will be able to make more and more of their own decisions.
Star Stories
To me, teamwork means that everyone gives and takes the same amount when given a task. Everyone has different talents and skills that can be useful, and without teamwork the task could go on for a lot longer than needed.
The interview process for entrance into the Education program consists of a group interview where ten of us were given a task to figure out together. There was no right answer and no wrong answer, but we were told to come up with one decision together. We were given a list of eight people with different situations and were told that we were on a medical board and given this list of people, and we needed to decide in descending order who would get a kidney that was ready for donation. We were given only twenty minutes to decide. The following was the list of people we were given:
· And illegal alien from Mexico with a wife and six children he is supporting on minimum wage
· A pregnant teenager who has given up on life.
· A very religious woman who doesn’t believe in medical intervention and believes that God is the only one who can save her
· A sixty-five year old retired educator that donates to his local children’s hospital.
· An ex-con who now lives with his wife and three children and who is trying to get a good paying job.
· A tourist from another country whose kidneys shut down suddenly.
· An alcoholic mother trying to raise her son and get sober.
· A twenty-one year old young woman who has Downs Syndrome.
We began discussing one person at a time, but I then suggested that we get a marker and keep track on the white board what we decided about each person so we could remember when it came time to deciding who would get the kidney. We discussed each situation in detail and after the twenty minutes of discussion time was up, we finally decided on the retired educator because he has given his time freely while educating children, and even though he is retired, still gives of himself to help children. This is the order in which we decided the kidney would go and the reason behind our decision:
1. Retired Educator: reason given above.
2. Pregnant Teenager: As long as doing surgery was safe on a pregnant mother, we decided that she would ultimately find out that life was worth living once she became a mother.
3. Downs Syndrome girl: Even though she has Downs, she can still be a contributing member of society.
4. Ex-con: He has a family he is trying to support and he has done his time in prison for his crime.
5. Alcoholic Mother: Although she is trying to get sober, alcohol has a negative impact on kidneys, so to give a new one to someone still consuming alcohol.
6. A tourist: We decided that if this person was healthy enough to travel, it would be best for them to go home and be treated.
7. Illegal Alien: We decided that if he was here illegally, the kidney should go to a citizen of our country.
8. Religious woman: We decided that since it is her own choice because of religion, she might not take care of herself and the new kidney and it’s not right to encroach on someone’s religious beliefs.
Challenges are sometimes hard to overcome. I had to overcome a challenge when I was laid off from my job in February of 2009. I had worked at this particular job for 10 years and felt very loyal to the company, but then out of the blue I was laid off and no longer had a job. This cut my family’s income in half and created quite a lot of problems. During this time, the economy was starting to take a nose dive and there were no available jobs, and when one came open there were so many people applying for one job it was nearly impossible to get hired. So, my husband and I decided that this would be the perfect opportunity for me to go back to school. So I signed up and started taking classes that summer. I am in the middle of the results now, but hopefully the FINAL result will be a degree in the field that I’ve always loved and wanted to work in.
My goal of graduating from college has been fifteen years in the making. I started this goal back in 1996 after graduating from high school, but soon came to a halt after I got married and started a family. I was only able to finish one semester of school, and then got caught up in the daily life of a mother and wife and that goal never came to fruition. But now I find myself, fifteen years later seeing this goal come to life, and I am loving it. It has been a long hard road, but the gratification I have every time I pass a class makes it worth it.
The interview process for entrance into the Education program consists of a group interview where ten of us were given a task to figure out together. There was no right answer and no wrong answer, but we were told to come up with one decision together. We were given a list of eight people with different situations and were told that we were on a medical board and given this list of people, and we needed to decide in descending order who would get a kidney that was ready for donation. We were given only twenty minutes to decide. The following was the list of people we were given:
· And illegal alien from Mexico with a wife and six children he is supporting on minimum wage
· A pregnant teenager who has given up on life.
· A very religious woman who doesn’t believe in medical intervention and believes that God is the only one who can save her
· A sixty-five year old retired educator that donates to his local children’s hospital.
· An ex-con who now lives with his wife and three children and who is trying to get a good paying job.
· A tourist from another country whose kidneys shut down suddenly.
· An alcoholic mother trying to raise her son and get sober.
· A twenty-one year old young woman who has Downs Syndrome.
We began discussing one person at a time, but I then suggested that we get a marker and keep track on the white board what we decided about each person so we could remember when it came time to deciding who would get the kidney. We discussed each situation in detail and after the twenty minutes of discussion time was up, we finally decided on the retired educator because he has given his time freely while educating children, and even though he is retired, still gives of himself to help children. This is the order in which we decided the kidney would go and the reason behind our decision:
1. Retired Educator: reason given above.
2. Pregnant Teenager: As long as doing surgery was safe on a pregnant mother, we decided that she would ultimately find out that life was worth living once she became a mother.
3. Downs Syndrome girl: Even though she has Downs, she can still be a contributing member of society.
4. Ex-con: He has a family he is trying to support and he has done his time in prison for his crime.
5. Alcoholic Mother: Although she is trying to get sober, alcohol has a negative impact on kidneys, so to give a new one to someone still consuming alcohol.
6. A tourist: We decided that if this person was healthy enough to travel, it would be best for them to go home and be treated.
7. Illegal Alien: We decided that if he was here illegally, the kidney should go to a citizen of our country.
8. Religious woman: We decided that since it is her own choice because of religion, she might not take care of herself and the new kidney and it’s not right to encroach on someone’s religious beliefs.
Challenges are sometimes hard to overcome. I had to overcome a challenge when I was laid off from my job in February of 2009. I had worked at this particular job for 10 years and felt very loyal to the company, but then out of the blue I was laid off and no longer had a job. This cut my family’s income in half and created quite a lot of problems. During this time, the economy was starting to take a nose dive and there were no available jobs, and when one came open there were so many people applying for one job it was nearly impossible to get hired. So, my husband and I decided that this would be the perfect opportunity for me to go back to school. So I signed up and started taking classes that summer. I am in the middle of the results now, but hopefully the FINAL result will be a degree in the field that I’ve always loved and wanted to work in.
My goal of graduating from college has been fifteen years in the making. I started this goal back in 1996 after graduating from high school, but soon came to a halt after I got married and started a family. I was only able to finish one semester of school, and then got caught up in the daily life of a mother and wife and that goal never came to fruition. But now I find myself, fifteen years later seeing this goal come to life, and I am loving it. It has been a long hard road, but the gratification I have every time I pass a class makes it worth it.
Cover Letter
November 24, 2011
Ms. Julie Warren
Nebo School District
350 South Main St.
Spanish Fork, UT
84660
Dear Ms. Warren,
I am submitting this resume as a result of job postings on the Nebo School District website for some Elementary teachers. I've just graduated from Utah Valley University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, and I'm very interested in teaching in Nebo School District.
I feel that I am prepared and ready to become a full time teacher, and have the proper skills and values that you are looking for in a teacher. I have successfully passed all of my classes and have superior marks from my cooperating teachers that I did my student teaching with. I look forward to getting the oportunity to meet you and proving what a valuable teacher I will make.
Sincerely,
Kristalee Openshaw
Ms. Julie Warren
Nebo School District
350 South Main St.
Spanish Fork, UT
84660
Dear Ms. Warren,
I am submitting this resume as a result of job postings on the Nebo School District website for some Elementary teachers. I've just graduated from Utah Valley University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, and I'm very interested in teaching in Nebo School District.
I feel that I am prepared and ready to become a full time teacher, and have the proper skills and values that you are looking for in a teacher. I have successfully passed all of my classes and have superior marks from my cooperating teachers that I did my student teaching with. I look forward to getting the oportunity to meet you and proving what a valuable teacher I will make.
Sincerely,
Kristalee Openshaw
Resume
Kristalee Openshaw
1435 S. 460 W. ◊ Payson, UT 84651
◊ jaytrevjax@hotmail.com
◊ 801-494-9334
Objective
An Elementary Education graduate looking to start a career at the third to fifth grade level.
Education
Utah Valley University, Orem, UtahBachelor of Science Degree in Elementary EducationExpected date of graduation-2013
Internships
1994-1996Wilson Elementary Payson Utah
First Grade Aid
I was able to aid at an elementary school in Payson during my Junior and Senior years of high school. I really enjoyed it,and this is what helped me decide that Education was what I wanted to do.
Experience
Sept. 2009-May 2010Here We Grow Preschool Payson, Utah
Teacher
I was the head teacher for a private preschool I started in my home. I was responsible for preparing all lesson plans, art projects, reading materials and graduation program.
Skills
Persuasive sales and presentation skills, honed through years of phone, in-store and Internet-based experience.Gifted communicator with a proven ability to interact and form lasting relationships with, and gain trust of, colleagues and clients at all levels.Resourceful and innovative in problem-solving; Able to troubleshoot and resolve disputes; Strong prioritization, delegation and planning skills.Public speaking, organizational, and communication skills
· Expertise in coordinating and supervising activities.
· Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment; highly detail-oriented.
· Friendly team player with professional manner.
Grew up the oldest in a family of six, so I was taught to handle children at a very early age.
Activities
Camp Counselor for Camp UTADA, a camp for children with type I diabetes. I was a counselor for six girls during two different sessions in the summer of 1996. The girls ranged in age from ten to twelve years old in the first session to fifteen to sixteen in the second session.I was a coach for a youth soccer team. The players on my team were between the ages of 8-9 years old.I have been responsible for teaching the children in my church at different times over the last 15 years. Their ages have varied from 4-5 years old to 8-9 years old.
1435 S. 460 W. ◊ Payson, UT 84651
◊ jaytrevjax@hotmail.com
◊ 801-494-9334
Objective
An Elementary Education graduate looking to start a career at the third to fifth grade level.
Education
Utah Valley University, Orem, UtahBachelor of Science Degree in Elementary EducationExpected date of graduation-2013
Internships
1994-1996Wilson Elementary Payson Utah
First Grade Aid
I was able to aid at an elementary school in Payson during my Junior and Senior years of high school. I really enjoyed it,and this is what helped me decide that Education was what I wanted to do.
Experience
Sept. 2009-May 2010Here We Grow Preschool Payson, Utah
Teacher
I was the head teacher for a private preschool I started in my home. I was responsible for preparing all lesson plans, art projects, reading materials and graduation program.
Skills
Persuasive sales and presentation skills, honed through years of phone, in-store and Internet-based experience.Gifted communicator with a proven ability to interact and form lasting relationships with, and gain trust of, colleagues and clients at all levels.Resourceful and innovative in problem-solving; Able to troubleshoot and resolve disputes; Strong prioritization, delegation and planning skills.Public speaking, organizational, and communication skills
· Expertise in coordinating and supervising activities.
· Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment; highly detail-oriented.
· Friendly team player with professional manner.
Grew up the oldest in a family of six, so I was taught to handle children at a very early age.
Activities
Camp Counselor for Camp UTADA, a camp for children with type I diabetes. I was a counselor for six girls during two different sessions in the summer of 1996. The girls ranged in age from ten to twelve years old in the first session to fifteen to sixteen in the second session.I was a coach for a youth soccer team. The players on my team were between the ages of 8-9 years old.I have been responsible for teaching the children in my church at different times over the last 15 years. Their ages have varied from 4-5 years old to 8-9 years old.
eScavenger Hunt
L10 –e-Scavenger Hunt
First explore the Career Development Center website: www.uvu.edu/cdc and answer the questions below. As you complete this e-Scavenger Hunt you will find many resources available to assist you as you prepare for your career.
1. List at least one event that is happening this semester listed in “Upcoming Events”. Are there any employers interviewing on campus this week? If so who is it and when will they be on campus?
· It looks like the only thing going on THIS semester is a recruiting day on December 5. There are a lot of other things going on during the spring semester though.
· I couldn’t find a list of any employers interviewing on campus this week.
2. List 4 services offered by the Career Development Center.
· They help you find the job you need.
· They can help you find what jobs fit your personality and work ethics.
· They can provide a student with their own personal Career Counselor.
· They can help a graduate look for and apply to the right graduate program.
3. Look under the “Students” tab for the “Job Search Engines”. What are 4 sources the website suggests you to look for job opportunities?
There are a lot of them. Here are a few:
· Campuscareercenter.com
· Flipdog.com
· Chilijobs.com
· Wetfeet.com
4. Locate the names of 4 counselors and tell what their specific area is.
· Gary Gardner: Education (this is who I would see)
· Sue Stephenson: Science and Health
· Lei Pakalani: Humanities, Arts and Social Science
· Michael Snapp: Business
5. What services are available to help you prepare for grad school?
· The Graduate Exam Preparation Center
· Graduate School Fair
· Links to Graduate School information
6. Find Optimal Resume on the CDC website (homepage). This is a free service to help students create a basic resume. Create an account and a simple resume with this tool. Submit the resume you created with this assignment. (I’m not grading on the resume you create. I just want you to know about this tool.)
· This is actually the tool that I used to create my resume for the Resume’ and Cover Letter assignment. This is the resume’ I created with it…
Kristalee Openshaw
1435 S. 460 W. ◊ Payson, UT 84651
◊ jaytrevjax@hotmail.com
◊ 801-494-9334
Objective
An Elementary Education graduate looking to start a career at the third to fifth grade level.
Education
Utah Valley University, Orem, UtahBachelor of Science Degree in Elementary EducationExpected date of graduation-2013
Internships
1994-1996Wilson Elementary Payson Utah
First Grade Aid
I was able to aid at an elementary school in Payson during my Junior and Senior years of high school. I really enjoyed it,and this is what helped me decide that Education was what I wanted to do.
Experience
Sept. 2009-May 2010Here We Grow Preschool Payson, Utah
Teacher
I was the head teacher for a private preschool I started in my home. I was responsible for preparing all lesson plans, art projects, reading materials and graduation program.
Skills
Persuasive sales and presentation skills, honed through years of phone, in-store and Internet-based experience.Gifted communicator with a proven ability to interact and form lasting relationships with, and gain trust of, colleagues and clients at all levels.Resourceful and innovative in problem-solving; Able to troubleshoot and resolve disputes; Strong prioritization, delegation and planning skills.Public speaking, organizational, and communication skills
· Expertise in coordinating and supervising activities.
· Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment; highly detail-oriented.
· Friendly team player with professional manner.
Grew up the oldest in a family of six, so I was taught to handle children at a very early age.
Activities
Camp Counselor for Camp UTADA, a camp for children with type I diabetes. I was a counselor for six girls during two different sessions in the summer of 1996. The girls ranged in age from ten to twelve years old in the first session to fifteen to sixteen in the second session.I was a coach for a youth soccer team. The players on my team were between the ages of 8-9 years old.I have been responsible for teaching the children in my church at different times over the last 15 years. Their ages have varied from 4-5 years old to 8-9 years old.
7. Where is the CDC office located? What is the office phone number?
· They are located in Room LC-409
· Their phone number is 801-863-6364
The rest of the questions will refer to the internship website. Go to the “Students” tab on the CDC website and find “internships in the drop down list or type www.uvu.edu/internships in your browser.
8. Who is the Director of Internship Services? Who is the Internship Coordinator? Where is the Internship Office located?
· The Director of Internship Services is Marsha Haynes. 8)
· The Internship Coordinator is Maren Mather.
· The Internship Office is located at LC-410.
9. What is the process for setting up an internship for credit?
· Find somewhere to complete your internship.
· Complete the REQUIRED internship orientation
· Determine how much time you have to devote to your internship.
· Register for internship credit through your Department Internship Coordinator
· Complete the internship for the current semester.
· Complete all UVU assignments and coursework related to the internship.
10. List two internships found on the “Weekly Hot Internships” list?
· Ancestry.com
· Allied Brand
11. List two internships available in Washington DC and the current deadline for application.
· Intern for Senator Hatch-Summer Deadline is February 1st.
· Intern for Senator Lee-Summer Deadline is February 1st.
12. Find the testimonial page for internships. (http://www.uvu.edu/internships/students/testimonials.html) View at least one testimonial. Who did you watch and what did you learn? Look at the written testimonials. What one impressed you?
· I watched Parker Donat’s testimonial. He was an intern for UVU alumni relations. He said that an internship is a great way to network. He also said that the counselors helped him see that he wasn’t as under qualified as he thought he was.
· I read the majority of the written testimonials and I think the thing that stood out to me the most was that most of these internships were here in Utah. I have always been under the impression that most internships are either found in Washington D.C. or in third world countries. It’s nice to know that there are local internships available to UVU students.
13. What internship scholarships are available?
· There are three different internship scholarship types:
o General Internship Scholarships
o Government Internship Scholarships
o Non-profit (IPE) Scholarships
14. Take a look at the Internship Blog and Facebook page. What suggestions do you have that would make these more helpful?
· BLOG: I am a very visual person, so I would suggest that it be more colorful and more aesthetically pleasing. It’s very boring, and I wouldn’t read anything on it just because of the look of the blog. I guess the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover” doesn’t apply to me in this case! 8)
· FACEBOOK: If I wanted information on internships, I would probably come to the facebook page because I am very familiar with the layout and the way that facebook works.
15. Go go to the “Have a quick Question” box on the internship home page and ask a question regarding internships. Write the question you asked below.
· When I clicked on the “Have a quick question” link, it took me to a PDF flyer for their “Refer a Friend” promotion. I didn’t see anywhere to ask a question.
First explore the Career Development Center website: www.uvu.edu/cdc and answer the questions below. As you complete this e-Scavenger Hunt you will find many resources available to assist you as you prepare for your career.
1. List at least one event that is happening this semester listed in “Upcoming Events”. Are there any employers interviewing on campus this week? If so who is it and when will they be on campus?
· It looks like the only thing going on THIS semester is a recruiting day on December 5. There are a lot of other things going on during the spring semester though.
· I couldn’t find a list of any employers interviewing on campus this week.
2. List 4 services offered by the Career Development Center.
· They help you find the job you need.
· They can help you find what jobs fit your personality and work ethics.
· They can provide a student with their own personal Career Counselor.
· They can help a graduate look for and apply to the right graduate program.
3. Look under the “Students” tab for the “Job Search Engines”. What are 4 sources the website suggests you to look for job opportunities?
There are a lot of them. Here are a few:
· Campuscareercenter.com
· Flipdog.com
· Chilijobs.com
· Wetfeet.com
4. Locate the names of 4 counselors and tell what their specific area is.
· Gary Gardner: Education (this is who I would see)
· Sue Stephenson: Science and Health
· Lei Pakalani: Humanities, Arts and Social Science
· Michael Snapp: Business
5. What services are available to help you prepare for grad school?
· The Graduate Exam Preparation Center
· Graduate School Fair
· Links to Graduate School information
6. Find Optimal Resume on the CDC website (homepage). This is a free service to help students create a basic resume. Create an account and a simple resume with this tool. Submit the resume you created with this assignment. (I’m not grading on the resume you create. I just want you to know about this tool.)
· This is actually the tool that I used to create my resume for the Resume’ and Cover Letter assignment. This is the resume’ I created with it…
Kristalee Openshaw
1435 S. 460 W. ◊ Payson, UT 84651
◊ jaytrevjax@hotmail.com
◊ 801-494-9334
Objective
An Elementary Education graduate looking to start a career at the third to fifth grade level.
Education
Utah Valley University, Orem, UtahBachelor of Science Degree in Elementary EducationExpected date of graduation-2013
Internships
1994-1996Wilson Elementary Payson Utah
First Grade Aid
I was able to aid at an elementary school in Payson during my Junior and Senior years of high school. I really enjoyed it,and this is what helped me decide that Education was what I wanted to do.
Experience
Sept. 2009-May 2010Here We Grow Preschool Payson, Utah
Teacher
I was the head teacher for a private preschool I started in my home. I was responsible for preparing all lesson plans, art projects, reading materials and graduation program.
Skills
Persuasive sales and presentation skills, honed through years of phone, in-store and Internet-based experience.Gifted communicator with a proven ability to interact and form lasting relationships with, and gain trust of, colleagues and clients at all levels.Resourceful and innovative in problem-solving; Able to troubleshoot and resolve disputes; Strong prioritization, delegation and planning skills.Public speaking, organizational, and communication skills
· Expertise in coordinating and supervising activities.
· Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment; highly detail-oriented.
· Friendly team player with professional manner.
Grew up the oldest in a family of six, so I was taught to handle children at a very early age.
Activities
Camp Counselor for Camp UTADA, a camp for children with type I diabetes. I was a counselor for six girls during two different sessions in the summer of 1996. The girls ranged in age from ten to twelve years old in the first session to fifteen to sixteen in the second session.I was a coach for a youth soccer team. The players on my team were between the ages of 8-9 years old.I have been responsible for teaching the children in my church at different times over the last 15 years. Their ages have varied from 4-5 years old to 8-9 years old.
7. Where is the CDC office located? What is the office phone number?
· They are located in Room LC-409
· Their phone number is 801-863-6364
The rest of the questions will refer to the internship website. Go to the “Students” tab on the CDC website and find “internships in the drop down list or type www.uvu.edu/internships in your browser.
8. Who is the Director of Internship Services? Who is the Internship Coordinator? Where is the Internship Office located?
· The Director of Internship Services is Marsha Haynes. 8)
· The Internship Coordinator is Maren Mather.
· The Internship Office is located at LC-410.
9. What is the process for setting up an internship for credit?
· Find somewhere to complete your internship.
· Complete the REQUIRED internship orientation
· Determine how much time you have to devote to your internship.
· Register for internship credit through your Department Internship Coordinator
· Complete the internship for the current semester.
· Complete all UVU assignments and coursework related to the internship.
10. List two internships found on the “Weekly Hot Internships” list?
· Ancestry.com
· Allied Brand
11. List two internships available in Washington DC and the current deadline for application.
· Intern for Senator Hatch-Summer Deadline is February 1st.
· Intern for Senator Lee-Summer Deadline is February 1st.
12. Find the testimonial page for internships. (http://www.uvu.edu/internships/students/testimonials.html) View at least one testimonial. Who did you watch and what did you learn? Look at the written testimonials. What one impressed you?
· I watched Parker Donat’s testimonial. He was an intern for UVU alumni relations. He said that an internship is a great way to network. He also said that the counselors helped him see that he wasn’t as under qualified as he thought he was.
· I read the majority of the written testimonials and I think the thing that stood out to me the most was that most of these internships were here in Utah. I have always been under the impression that most internships are either found in Washington D.C. or in third world countries. It’s nice to know that there are local internships available to UVU students.
13. What internship scholarships are available?
· There are three different internship scholarship types:
o General Internship Scholarships
o Government Internship Scholarships
o Non-profit (IPE) Scholarships
14. Take a look at the Internship Blog and Facebook page. What suggestions do you have that would make these more helpful?
· BLOG: I am a very visual person, so I would suggest that it be more colorful and more aesthetically pleasing. It’s very boring, and I wouldn’t read anything on it just because of the look of the blog. I guess the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover” doesn’t apply to me in this case! 8)
· FACEBOOK: If I wanted information on internships, I would probably come to the facebook page because I am very familiar with the layout and the way that facebook works.
15. Go go to the “Have a quick Question” box on the internship home page and ask a question regarding internships. Write the question you asked below.
· When I clicked on the “Have a quick question” link, it took me to a PDF flyer for their “Refer a Friend” promotion. I didn’t see anywhere to ask a question.
Internship Sales Project
Many companies offer internships to college students, whether they are paid or unpaid. There are both pros and cons to internships, and below is a list of just a few of the pros that I found.
- A student that joins an internship has an edge over other people when it comes to finally filling out those applications for a job. They get a lot of experience that future employers look for.
- An internship is also a great way to network. You can get to know a lot of people in your desired career during an internship, and show them what kind of a worker you are. An internship will also help them get to know your personality a little bit before you interview with their company.
- For the person who is not quite sure what they want to major in, or what they want to do after college, an internship is a very good way to “test drive” different jobs and positions without worrying about giving too much commitment at the time. Most internships last between three and six months, which in that amount of time, one can decide whether it is something they truly want to do, or if they would rather do something else with their future.
- Any internship looks good on a resume’. Having an internship on your resume’ shows the people doing the hiring for your desired position, that you have some real world experience under your belt. But not only that, if your resume’ reflects that you are willing to work for little pay, or even for free, it shows how passionate you are for that particular job.
- An internship is a great way to open doors for your career. You can get to know the important people that will do the hiring, and the people that could become your co-workers.
Often, when a permanent job opens up, an intern will be hired in that position (if interested), before someone off the street.
As you can see, an internship is a very valuable part of any resume’. Not all people are able to complete an internship, but if it is something that you are able to do, I would highly recommend you start looking for one in the field that interests you.
Finding an Internship
http://www.teachingforchange.org/about/internship
This site is almost like a database to help someone find an internship. The site has many internship opportunities, and while looking through the different ones available, I thought the "Tellin' Stories Project" would be an interesting internship to join. The intern would be responsible for gathering stories and parent interviews. This internship is in Washington DC, and would be a great chance to travel to our Nations Capitol.
http://www.internoptions.com/teaching-internships/
This internship is found in Australia. The intern would be considered a teachers aid, and would help the teacher with regular, in-class activities and everyday educational needs.
http://www2.ed.gov/students/prep/job/intern/index.html
This internship is throught the US Department of Education. This would be the perfect place for a future teacher to learn more about the education process.
http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/uelip
This is an internship in Washington DC where the interns conduct research on education policies and reform, and complete projects based on their research.
http://www.breakthroughcollaborative.org/teach
In this internship, the interns are actually teaching a classroom. This would give a future teacher valuable experience, and a great way to determine whether they really want to be a teacher or not.
This site is almost like a database to help someone find an internship. The site has many internship opportunities, and while looking through the different ones available, I thought the "Tellin' Stories Project" would be an interesting internship to join. The intern would be responsible for gathering stories and parent interviews. This internship is in Washington DC, and would be a great chance to travel to our Nations Capitol.
http://www.internoptions.com/teaching-internships/
This internship is found in Australia. The intern would be considered a teachers aid, and would help the teacher with regular, in-class activities and everyday educational needs.
http://www2.ed.gov/students/prep/job/intern/index.html
This internship is throught the US Department of Education. This would be the perfect place for a future teacher to learn more about the education process.
http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/uelip
This is an internship in Washington DC where the interns conduct research on education policies and reform, and complete projects based on their research.
http://www.breakthroughcollaborative.org/teach
In this internship, the interns are actually teaching a classroom. This would give a future teacher valuable experience, and a great way to determine whether they really want to be a teacher or not.
Informatioanal Interview
I interviewed Hailey Poulsen, a 6th grade teacher at Spring Lake Elementary school in Payson. She is going to be a great person to have in my network, and is willing to help me in the future with anything I need.
· What made you want to go into teaching?
“I wanted to help children, and be a positive influence in their lives
· What part of the job do you find the most challenging?
“Being able to reach every student and accommodate every child so that everyone understands what I am trying to teach.
· What part of this job do you find the most rewarding?
“When I can see that a student finally understands something they were unsure about at the beginning of the unit.”
· What are the skills that are most important for this career?
“Patience and the ability to self-assess and change those things that aren’t working for your students. Also, keeping the children entertained and excited about learning.”
· How is the economy affecting your job?
“Class sizes are larger because of the teaching positions that have been eliminated. It’s also hard to have the necessary things in the classroom when the budget keeps getting cut, and families have a hard time donating when things are needed.”
· What are some of the downsides to this career?
“The only thing I can truly think of is when I have a student that I can’t quite reach, whether it is academically or personally. Parents are a big help when this is happening, and unfortunately, there are many parents that don’t care what goes on at school, and I feel that I’m on my own sometimes. That’s really hard.”
· What are the upsides to this career?
“I love to teach the children who are put into my care, and help them understand the importance of education.
· What advice would you give to someone in my position, who is looking into this field of work?
“Everything you learn in your classes will be helpful when you become a teacher. And ask for help when you need it, seasoned teachers are generally always willing to help the new teachers with anything they need. The biggest thing though is to remember that a lot of what you will do during the few couple of years of your career will be trial and error and this is when you will learn what will work for you and your classroom.
· What made you want to go into teaching?
“I wanted to help children, and be a positive influence in their lives
· What part of the job do you find the most challenging?
“Being able to reach every student and accommodate every child so that everyone understands what I am trying to teach.
· What part of this job do you find the most rewarding?
“When I can see that a student finally understands something they were unsure about at the beginning of the unit.”
· What are the skills that are most important for this career?
“Patience and the ability to self-assess and change those things that aren’t working for your students. Also, keeping the children entertained and excited about learning.”
· How is the economy affecting your job?
“Class sizes are larger because of the teaching positions that have been eliminated. It’s also hard to have the necessary things in the classroom when the budget keeps getting cut, and families have a hard time donating when things are needed.”
· What are some of the downsides to this career?
“The only thing I can truly think of is when I have a student that I can’t quite reach, whether it is academically or personally. Parents are a big help when this is happening, and unfortunately, there are many parents that don’t care what goes on at school, and I feel that I’m on my own sometimes. That’s really hard.”
· What are the upsides to this career?
“I love to teach the children who are put into my care, and help them understand the importance of education.
· What advice would you give to someone in my position, who is looking into this field of work?
“Everything you learn in your classes will be helpful when you become a teacher. And ask for help when you need it, seasoned teachers are generally always willing to help the new teachers with anything they need. The biggest thing though is to remember that a lot of what you will do during the few couple of years of your career will be trial and error and this is when you will learn what will work for you and your classroom.
Elevator Speech
Hi. My name is Krista Openshaw. I am currently attending Utah Valley University and will be entering the Elementary Education program there in January. I'm so excited to start the next step in my schooling career. I've held many posisions teaching children in my church, and I ran my own preschool before deciding to get a degree in education. I love children and feel that I am trustworthy. I have many needed skills that people look for in a teacher including being very creative, dependable and extremely patient. I can't wait to be a positive role model to children while they are at an age where they are gorwing, not just physically, but emotionally and socially also. Eventually I would like to teach other future teachers in an Elementary Education program, and help the next generation of teachers learn the skills that are required to be great stewards to their students.
webquest
›WEBQuest
›Krista Openshaw
›CLSS 2100
›November 13, 2011
›
Elementary Teacher
›Teachers play a very important role in the intellectual and social development of their students.
›Teachers can teach in public schools or private schools, depending on what their preference is.
›To become a teacher, Utah requires a 4-year bachelor degree and teacher certification to teach in any public school. To teach at a privately owned institution however, a teacher does not need to be certified.
›There is some potential for advancement in education, but not a lot. A teacher can go on to become a principal or superintendent, but that’s about all the advancement opportunities there are.
›Between the years 2006 and 2014, Utah will need to hire over 8,000 new teachers to keep up with student demands, and between 2008 and 2018, projections are expected to grow by 13% nationally.
›The average teaching salary in Utah is $42,586 in 2009, compared to $55,350 nationally.
›Work skills:
The following are needed skills to become a teacher:
›Instruction
›Speaking
›Good learning strategies
›Active Learning and Listening
›Critical Thinking
›Reading Comprehension
›Good Judgment and Decision Making
›Special Interests:
›Social-Social occupations generally involve working with, teaching, and communicating with other people. They also involve helping, or providing service to others.
›Artistic-Artistic occupations involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
›Conventional-Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
***It’s interesting to me that these were taken from the same site, but the second and third ones almost seem like opposites***
›Work Styles:
›Cooperation-This job requires being pleasant to others, and being good natured and cooperative with others.
›Self-control-This job requires one to be in control of their emotions, controlling their anger, and maintaining composure, even in difficult, stressful situations.
›Concern for others-This job requires one to be sensitive to others feelings and needs.
›Dependability-This job requires one to be reliable and responsible.
›Stress Tolerance-This job requires one to be able to accept criticism and be calm in high stress situations.
›Adaptability and Flexibility-This job requires one to be open to change, whether it’s positive or negative.
›Integrity-This job requires one to be honest and ethical.
›Leadership-This job requires a willingness to take charge, and offer direction.
›Initiative-This job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
›Values:
›Relationships-Teaching provides employees the ability to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a fun, non-competitive environment.
›Corresponding needs are:
›Co-workers
›Moral Values
›Social Service
›Achievement-Teaching provides employees with the ability to use their strongest abilities which in turn lets them feel a great sense of achievement.
›Corresponding needs are:
›Ability Utilization
›Independence-Teaching provides employees with the ability to work on their own and make their own decisions.
›Corresponding needs are:
›Creativity
›Responsibility
›Autonomy
›References:
›http://www2.ed.gov/admins/comm/choice/regprivschl/regprivschl.pdf
›
›http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=370914
›http://www.teachersalaryinfo.com/average-teacher-salary-utah.html
›http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=28
›http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/25-2021.00
Tempting Top Ten
EDUCATION:
1.Elementary Teacher
2.College Professor
3.Preschool Teacher
4.Special Education Teacher
5.Principal
6.ESL Teacher
7.Secondary Teacher
8.Librarian
9.Teaching Assistant
10.Superintendant
PHOTOGRAPHY:
1.Wedding Photographer
2.Family/Portrait Photographer
3.National Geographic Photographer
4.Freelance Photographer
5.Fashion Photographer
6.Newspaper Photographer
7.Food Photographer
8.Forensic Photographer
9.Photograph Photographer
10.Sports Photographer
1.Elementary Teacher
2.College Professor
3.Preschool Teacher
4.Special Education Teacher
5.Principal
6.ESL Teacher
7.Secondary Teacher
8.Librarian
9.Teaching Assistant
10.Superintendant
PHOTOGRAPHY:
1.Wedding Photographer
2.Family/Portrait Photographer
3.National Geographic Photographer
4.Freelance Photographer
5.Fashion Photographer
6.Newspaper Photographer
7.Food Photographer
8.Forensic Photographer
9.Photograph Photographer
10.Sports Photographer
Assessment Review
ASSESSMENTS REVIEW SHEET
For this assignment, you will use the results from your Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and Strong Interest Inventory (SII) assessments to determine some particular occupations and majors to research.
MBTI Report
1. List your reported type. (Example: ESTJ)
ENFJ
2. According to your report, what are some of the characteristics that best describe your personality type?
Warm, compassionate, supportive, loyal, trustworthy, imaginative, and creative.
3. Refer to the list of the 50 most popular occupations page or go to http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/2010/ Read the list of occupations and list the ones that you would like to explore below.
School teacher, administrator, college professor
4. How do you believe the occupations you have chosen to explore fit with your personality preferences? Explain how these occupations allow you to work in your preferred work environment.
I think they are right on track. Looking over the assessment, being a teacher is perfect for my type.
SII Report
1. List your general occupational theme code. (Example EAS)
SA
2. List your 5 Basic Interests Scales and determine what type of interest they represent from the following: vocational, educational, leisure activities, personal interest. (Examples might include: religion-personal interest, teaching-leisure, healthcare-vocational)
Teaching & Education-Vocational
Visual Arts & Design-Leisure
Religion & Spirituality-Personal Interest
Writing & Mass Communication-Educational
Performing Arts-Activities
3. Refer to pages 5, 6, and 7 of your SII profile. Look at all the occupational scales you scored highest in (generally 40 or above), or that have a combination of your theme code. List the occupations from the scales that you might like to research.
Elementary School Teacher, Special Education Teacher, Photographer, Art Teacher, Interior Designer,
4. For the following questions refer to Personal Style Scales on page 8 of your SII profile.
A. Look at your “Work Style” rating. What does your score suggest to you in relation to the occupations you listed above?
Work with people, help others and I’m outgoing
B. Look at your “Learning Environment” rating. How do the educational requirements of the occupations you listed fit with your interest to pursue additional training?
I am actually right in the middle of the scale. I think this means that I am well-rounded when it comes to the environment I will work in.
C. Look at your “Leadership Style” rating. How do these occupations fit your personal style?
This shows exactly the things that I’ve always known I have to work on in order to be a teacher. This includes taking charge of others and directing them instead of just doing the job asked.
D. Look at your “Risk Taking/Adventure” rating. Explain how the occupations do or do not match your risk taking style.
They really do match how I feel. I DON’T like taking risks, I like quiet activities such as reading and I DO make careful decisions.
5. What college majors are suggested for your theme code that you find interesting?
Child Development, Elementary Education, Family Studies, Health Education, Art Education, English
6. Of your top 10 occupations, list 3 you are most interested in and the educational
preparation required for each.
Elementary Education-Pass the Praxis II test, be accepted into the education program, pass all classes with at least a B and complete a Student Teaching session or an Internship through the program.
Special Education Teacher-Complete the required classes needed for the Special Ed program (Not offered at UVU currently)
Photographer-No schooling needed.
Occupations not listed on MBTI or SII
1. List any occupations you are interested in that were not listed on your MBTI or SII reports.
These reports were very thorough and got it spot on. There weren’t any occupations that were missed.
Meet with a Career Counselor at ACC
1. Make an appointment to review your assessment reports with a counselor in the Academic Counseling Center. (LC402, 801-863-8425)
2. List several comments or suggestions made by the counselor regarding selection of a career or major and/or your assessment results.
He said that the results of these tests can change, that they are never concrete. So if you find yourself in a couple of years not enjoying where you are headed, to take the assessments again and see if your interests have changed.
3. Write the name of the counselor you met with and the date of your appointment.
Name__________________________________ Date: November 18, 2011
(I don’t remember his name)
For this assignment, you will use the results from your Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and Strong Interest Inventory (SII) assessments to determine some particular occupations and majors to research.
MBTI Report
1. List your reported type. (Example: ESTJ)
ENFJ
2. According to your report, what are some of the characteristics that best describe your personality type?
Warm, compassionate, supportive, loyal, trustworthy, imaginative, and creative.
3. Refer to the list of the 50 most popular occupations page or go to http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/2010/ Read the list of occupations and list the ones that you would like to explore below.
School teacher, administrator, college professor
4. How do you believe the occupations you have chosen to explore fit with your personality preferences? Explain how these occupations allow you to work in your preferred work environment.
I think they are right on track. Looking over the assessment, being a teacher is perfect for my type.
SII Report
1. List your general occupational theme code. (Example EAS)
SA
2. List your 5 Basic Interests Scales and determine what type of interest they represent from the following: vocational, educational, leisure activities, personal interest. (Examples might include: religion-personal interest, teaching-leisure, healthcare-vocational)
Teaching & Education-Vocational
Visual Arts & Design-Leisure
Religion & Spirituality-Personal Interest
Writing & Mass Communication-Educational
Performing Arts-Activities
3. Refer to pages 5, 6, and 7 of your SII profile. Look at all the occupational scales you scored highest in (generally 40 or above), or that have a combination of your theme code. List the occupations from the scales that you might like to research.
Elementary School Teacher, Special Education Teacher, Photographer, Art Teacher, Interior Designer,
4. For the following questions refer to Personal Style Scales on page 8 of your SII profile.
A. Look at your “Work Style” rating. What does your score suggest to you in relation to the occupations you listed above?
Work with people, help others and I’m outgoing
B. Look at your “Learning Environment” rating. How do the educational requirements of the occupations you listed fit with your interest to pursue additional training?
I am actually right in the middle of the scale. I think this means that I am well-rounded when it comes to the environment I will work in.
C. Look at your “Leadership Style” rating. How do these occupations fit your personal style?
This shows exactly the things that I’ve always known I have to work on in order to be a teacher. This includes taking charge of others and directing them instead of just doing the job asked.
D. Look at your “Risk Taking/Adventure” rating. Explain how the occupations do or do not match your risk taking style.
They really do match how I feel. I DON’T like taking risks, I like quiet activities such as reading and I DO make careful decisions.
5. What college majors are suggested for your theme code that you find interesting?
Child Development, Elementary Education, Family Studies, Health Education, Art Education, English
6. Of your top 10 occupations, list 3 you are most interested in and the educational
preparation required for each.
Elementary Education-Pass the Praxis II test, be accepted into the education program, pass all classes with at least a B and complete a Student Teaching session or an Internship through the program.
Special Education Teacher-Complete the required classes needed for the Special Ed program (Not offered at UVU currently)
Photographer-No schooling needed.
Occupations not listed on MBTI or SII
1. List any occupations you are interested in that were not listed on your MBTI or SII reports.
These reports were very thorough and got it spot on. There weren’t any occupations that were missed.
Meet with a Career Counselor at ACC
1. Make an appointment to review your assessment reports with a counselor in the Academic Counseling Center. (LC402, 801-863-8425)
2. List several comments or suggestions made by the counselor regarding selection of a career or major and/or your assessment results.
He said that the results of these tests can change, that they are never concrete. So if you find yourself in a couple of years not enjoying where you are headed, to take the assessments again and see if your interests have changed.
3. Write the name of the counselor you met with and the date of your appointment.
Name__________________________________ Date: November 18, 2011
(I don’t remember his name)
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Personal Action Plan
Krista’s Personal Action Plan
Sophomore Year:
• I will finish all of my pre-requisite classes to be ready to enter the Elementary Education program in January of 2012.
• I will look into a minor that I will enjoy to add to my major.
• I will prepare myself to enter the education program
Junior Year:
• I will enter the Elementary Education program.
• I will start putting together a portfolio of all of the experience I have had working with school aged children.
• I will also start putting together a portfolio of the things I will learn in my classes that I can take with me to job interviews to show school administrators my strengths.
Every summer before I graduate:
• I will take classes towards the minor that I choose to take advantage of the time I’m not taking classes in my major.
• I will take as many credit hours as possible to get my minor taken care of.
Senior Year:
• I will complete the required classes for both my major and my minor.
• I will complete and excel in my student teaching.
• I will decide the grade I would like to teach.
• I will finish my senior project.
• I will Graduate at the top of my class.
Sophomore Year:
• I will finish all of my pre-requisite classes to be ready to enter the Elementary Education program in January of 2012.
• I will look into a minor that I will enjoy to add to my major.
• I will prepare myself to enter the education program
Junior Year:
• I will enter the Elementary Education program.
• I will start putting together a portfolio of all of the experience I have had working with school aged children.
• I will also start putting together a portfolio of the things I will learn in my classes that I can take with me to job interviews to show school administrators my strengths.
Every summer before I graduate:
• I will take classes towards the minor that I choose to take advantage of the time I’m not taking classes in my major.
• I will take as many credit hours as possible to get my minor taken care of.
Senior Year:
• I will complete the required classes for both my major and my minor.
• I will complete and excel in my student teaching.
• I will decide the grade I would like to teach.
• I will finish my senior project.
• I will Graduate at the top of my class.
Goal Setting
Krista Openshaw
CLSS 2100
December 10, 2011
Goal Setting/Action Plan
I have selected a few goals to help me reach my goal of becoming an elementary school teacher. They are:
Short Term Goals:
• Begin the Elementary Education program through UVU.
o I will begin the program in January 2012
• Pass all of my classes
o It will require hard work on my end to pass my classes.
o Classes must be passed with a B or higher. This will take a lot of studying and time.
• Complete my first year junior job shadow.
o This is considered “field work” and is done in an elementary classroom assigned to you.
o You do three weeks of field work in both the first and second semesters of your junior year. This is a great way to network and get to know other teachers and principals.
Mid-Term Goals:
• I will choose whether to complete a student teaching assignment or an internship.
o An internship is great because I will get paid half salary and benefits while doing the internship. But I will have to wait until May to graduate instead of December when I SHOULD graduate. I will also have my own class without the help of a cooperating teacher there to help me with questions.
o A student teaching assignment would be good because I can graduate with my class and I will also have the help of a cooperating teacher. Although I will be standing in as the actual teacher for 12 weeks, the cooperating teacher will be there to support me and help me anyway I need. But I won’t get paid anything for 12 weeks that I’m student teaching.
• I will graduate with honors
o This is going to take a LOT of work and sacrifice for me to achieve this goal, but I believe I will be able to if I stick to it.
• I will get a job as a teacher in the Nebo School District.
o This goal is very specific, but I would like to work close to home. I could go as far as to say I hope to get a job teaching in Payson, but I don’t want to limit my choices too much.
o I will start going and volunteering where I can so I can get to know the teachers and principals in my area, so when it comes time for me to get hired, they will know me and want to hire me.
CLSS 2100
December 10, 2011
Goal Setting/Action Plan
I have selected a few goals to help me reach my goal of becoming an elementary school teacher. They are:
Short Term Goals:
• Begin the Elementary Education program through UVU.
o I will begin the program in January 2012
• Pass all of my classes
o It will require hard work on my end to pass my classes.
o Classes must be passed with a B or higher. This will take a lot of studying and time.
• Complete my first year junior job shadow.
o This is considered “field work” and is done in an elementary classroom assigned to you.
o You do three weeks of field work in both the first and second semesters of your junior year. This is a great way to network and get to know other teachers and principals.
Mid-Term Goals:
• I will choose whether to complete a student teaching assignment or an internship.
o An internship is great because I will get paid half salary and benefits while doing the internship. But I will have to wait until May to graduate instead of December when I SHOULD graduate. I will also have my own class without the help of a cooperating teacher there to help me with questions.
o A student teaching assignment would be good because I can graduate with my class and I will also have the help of a cooperating teacher. Although I will be standing in as the actual teacher for 12 weeks, the cooperating teacher will be there to support me and help me anyway I need. But I won’t get paid anything for 12 weeks that I’m student teaching.
• I will graduate with honors
o This is going to take a LOT of work and sacrifice for me to achieve this goal, but I believe I will be able to if I stick to it.
• I will get a job as a teacher in the Nebo School District.
o This goal is very specific, but I would like to work close to home. I could go as far as to say I hope to get a job teaching in Payson, but I don’t want to limit my choices too much.
o I will start going and volunteering where I can so I can get to know the teachers and principals in my area, so when it comes time for me to get hired, they will know me and want to hire me.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Job Shadow
I job shadowed Mr. Ien Richins, a fifth grade teacher at Taylor Elementary School in Payson.
• What made you want to go into teaching?
“I’ve always enjoyed learning and I thought what better way to keep learning than being a teacher and being responsible for the education of students.”
• What part of the job do you find the most challenging?“Unfortunately, dealing with parents can be very hard. I think that teachers and parents should form a type of alliance and be a team, but lots of parents don’t have that mindset, and it is very hard sometimes when I am trying to help a student and their parents don’t seem to care.
• What part of this job do you find the most rewarding?“I love it when I can look at one of my students and see that they understand what I am teaching. I also love it when I am in front of the class teaching a concept and it goes off without a hitch, and the students enjoy the lesson.”
• What are the skills that are most important for this career?“I believe that being able to pull a lesson out of the air when something goes wrong. It also takes a lot of patience and excitement for the job, because it can get a little tiresome when you have a class that is being rowdy and you are trying to get things under control. You have to literally remind yourself that this is what you want to do and just because you are having a hard day, the next day will be better.”
• How is the economy affecting your job?“It’s hard to get donations that we need for the basic things our classroom needs, so then I have to pay for them out of my own pocket. Class sizes have also been getting gradually bigger, and that makes it hard on both the teacher and his/her students.”
• What are some of the downsides to this career?“It’s hard to see a student struggle with a subject and it seems that no matter what you do, you can’t quite reach them. This is where the parent/teacher team comes into play, but a lot of the times it’s those students that struggle that don’t have the support at home they need. It’s so frustrating to see such bright children not being pushed to their potential.”
• What are the upsides to this career?“Almost everything I do in this job is an upside. I love my students and love to see them succeed. I like it when I see past students around town and they make it a point to come say hi to me. It’s satisfying to know that I have had a positive impact on their lives.”
• What advice would you give to someone in my position, who is looking into this field of work?“Just make sure that you know that the job is full of ups and downs and that the first year or two you will learn the most through trial and error. Don’t give up in that first year because you think it’s hard, because it IS hard, but once you get through it, you will be so gratified, and you will find yourself looking forward to the next year.”
I really enjoyed seeing the way that Mr. Richins ran his classroom. I got some really good ideas on how to arrange my classroom and fun activities I can use when I get my own classroom. He told me that he is always available for any questions I may have when I start my classes in the program, and he will be a great addition to my network when I start looking for jobs after I graduate.
• What made you want to go into teaching?
“I’ve always enjoyed learning and I thought what better way to keep learning than being a teacher and being responsible for the education of students.”
• What part of the job do you find the most challenging?“Unfortunately, dealing with parents can be very hard. I think that teachers and parents should form a type of alliance and be a team, but lots of parents don’t have that mindset, and it is very hard sometimes when I am trying to help a student and their parents don’t seem to care.
• What part of this job do you find the most rewarding?“I love it when I can look at one of my students and see that they understand what I am teaching. I also love it when I am in front of the class teaching a concept and it goes off without a hitch, and the students enjoy the lesson.”
• What are the skills that are most important for this career?“I believe that being able to pull a lesson out of the air when something goes wrong. It also takes a lot of patience and excitement for the job, because it can get a little tiresome when you have a class that is being rowdy and you are trying to get things under control. You have to literally remind yourself that this is what you want to do and just because you are having a hard day, the next day will be better.”
• How is the economy affecting your job?“It’s hard to get donations that we need for the basic things our classroom needs, so then I have to pay for them out of my own pocket. Class sizes have also been getting gradually bigger, and that makes it hard on both the teacher and his/her students.”
• What are some of the downsides to this career?“It’s hard to see a student struggle with a subject and it seems that no matter what you do, you can’t quite reach them. This is where the parent/teacher team comes into play, but a lot of the times it’s those students that struggle that don’t have the support at home they need. It’s so frustrating to see such bright children not being pushed to their potential.”
• What are the upsides to this career?“Almost everything I do in this job is an upside. I love my students and love to see them succeed. I like it when I see past students around town and they make it a point to come say hi to me. It’s satisfying to know that I have had a positive impact on their lives.”
• What advice would you give to someone in my position, who is looking into this field of work?“Just make sure that you know that the job is full of ups and downs and that the first year or two you will learn the most through trial and error. Don’t give up in that first year because you think it’s hard, because it IS hard, but once you get through it, you will be so gratified, and you will find yourself looking forward to the next year.”
I really enjoyed seeing the way that Mr. Richins ran his classroom. I got some really good ideas on how to arrange my classroom and fun activities I can use when I get my own classroom. He told me that he is always available for any questions I may have when I start my classes in the program, and he will be a great addition to my network when I start looking for jobs after I graduate.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Skills Cover Letter
As the oldest of six children, I learned how to be a dependable, loving caretaker early on in my life. I learned how to communicate and teach children, which took me into my teenage years, where I taught at the preschool in my high school, and helped as a teacher’s aide in a local elementary school. My love of reading has given me great communication skills, both written and oral, and being a mother, I feel that I am a great leader, listener and teacher.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Skills Assesment
The skills assesment told me what I already knew. My skills are deffinately geared toward education. The skills assesment showed me how many different skills it is going to take to be a teacher. There are so many.
3 skills I enjoy are: listening, planning, and teaching
3 skills the I do well are: writing, communicating, and problem solving
3 skills I would like to improve: math, persuading, and public speaking
I think the way that I'm going to improve on these skills is to practice, practice, practice. My classes are all going to help with this, but I also believe that my student teaching opportunities are going to help here to. I will be able to learn so much from those teachers that I will associate with when it comes to my student teaching, it is going to be a valuable resource
3 skills I enjoy are: listening, planning, and teaching
3 skills the I do well are: writing, communicating, and problem solving
3 skills I would like to improve: math, persuading, and public speaking
I think the way that I'm going to improve on these skills is to practice, practice, practice. My classes are all going to help with this, but I also believe that my student teaching opportunities are going to help here to. I will be able to learn so much from those teachers that I will associate with when it comes to my student teaching, it is going to be a valuable resource
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Personal Values
MY TOP 10 VALUES
1- Family
2- Love
3- Happiness
4- Stability
5- Self-Respect
6- Service
7- Friendship
8- Achievement
9- Intelligence
10- Excitement
Family: My top value is and will always be family. Family is so important for me, and that is part of the reason I have decided to go into education. I will be able to be there for my children when they need me, and I will also be able to have a career.
Love: Love goes hand in hand with family, so of course it is going to be my next value. And looking at it at a career standpoint, the best teachers are those that love their students, and want to see them excel in school. One of my favorite teachers was my Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Argyle. She was one who loved all of her students, and even today, 28 years later, she still remembers me. She is a friend of facebook, and when I see her around town, she always makes sure to say hi and ask about my family. THAT’S the type of teacher that people want.
Happiness: My next value goes along with the first two. Happiness is important in everyone’s lives. If a person doesn’t have happiness, they have nothing. Everyone has had a teacher that is grumpy all the time, and that makes school miserable. Happiness in a teacher is important, not only for the teacher’s well-being, but also for the students. They will shut down if a teacher is unhappy or mean.
Stability: In my personal life, and in my career life, stability is important. Everyone needs stability to stay happy. If one’s life is thrown into upheaval, it will affect every aspect of that person’s life.
Self-Respect: I grew up with the saying, “if you have no self-respect, you have nothing.” This is very true. Without self-respect, a person won’t have the nerve to stand up for what they believe in, they won’t stand up for themselves, and they will never stand up for others. Self-Respect in a career is very important. If a person has no self-respect at work, they won’t be able to get their own ideas across, and they won’t be able to be their own best advocate.
Service: I am a very service minded person. I believe that if there is someone that can’t care for themselves, or needs help with something, and I am able to help, it is my responsibility to be there when they need me. And I will do my best to help them. The same goes for my career. Children need help learning the things they will need to grow up to be responsible adults, and teachers are the ones there to do it. Although teachers do get paid, they spend a lot of their own money and time doing just that, and in my mind, that is service to their students.
Friendship: Everyone needs a friend. It is a vital part of not only growing up, but also of adult relationships. I hope that I can not only be a teacher, but also a friend to my students.
Achievement: It’s a great feeling when someone achieves something they have set out to do. Everyone loves that feeling of achievement, and I hope that when I am a teacher, I will be able to help my students feel that feeling of achievement while they are in my class. Not only will it give a child more self-esteem, it will help them feel like they can do anything they set out to do.
Excitement: I feel that being excited about life in general is something that can be good in people’s lives. But excitement over learning is something that I feel is so important. I hope that I can instill that excitement in my students at an early age, so once they get into Jr. high and high school, when students tend to start disliking school, they will still have that excitement and enjoyment, and they will look forward to learning all throughout their scholarly career.
Intelligence: Of course, when someone looks at what my career choice is, they can see how much I value intelligence. But I don’t think that intelligence is only the stuff we learn out of books, but it also includes the things that we learn about other people, and how to be a contributor to society.
I think that if I were just starting out in my college career, right out of high school, there would be a good chance that my values would change, but considering I have lived 33 years of my life already, I feel that I have a solid value base, and it won’t be changing.
1- Family
2- Love
3- Happiness
4- Stability
5- Self-Respect
6- Service
7- Friendship
8- Achievement
9- Intelligence
10- Excitement
Family: My top value is and will always be family. Family is so important for me, and that is part of the reason I have decided to go into education. I will be able to be there for my children when they need me, and I will also be able to have a career.
Love: Love goes hand in hand with family, so of course it is going to be my next value. And looking at it at a career standpoint, the best teachers are those that love their students, and want to see them excel in school. One of my favorite teachers was my Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Argyle. She was one who loved all of her students, and even today, 28 years later, she still remembers me. She is a friend of facebook, and when I see her around town, she always makes sure to say hi and ask about my family. THAT’S the type of teacher that people want.
Happiness: My next value goes along with the first two. Happiness is important in everyone’s lives. If a person doesn’t have happiness, they have nothing. Everyone has had a teacher that is grumpy all the time, and that makes school miserable. Happiness in a teacher is important, not only for the teacher’s well-being, but also for the students. They will shut down if a teacher is unhappy or mean.
Stability: In my personal life, and in my career life, stability is important. Everyone needs stability to stay happy. If one’s life is thrown into upheaval, it will affect every aspect of that person’s life.
Self-Respect: I grew up with the saying, “if you have no self-respect, you have nothing.” This is very true. Without self-respect, a person won’t have the nerve to stand up for what they believe in, they won’t stand up for themselves, and they will never stand up for others. Self-Respect in a career is very important. If a person has no self-respect at work, they won’t be able to get their own ideas across, and they won’t be able to be their own best advocate.
Service: I am a very service minded person. I believe that if there is someone that can’t care for themselves, or needs help with something, and I am able to help, it is my responsibility to be there when they need me. And I will do my best to help them. The same goes for my career. Children need help learning the things they will need to grow up to be responsible adults, and teachers are the ones there to do it. Although teachers do get paid, they spend a lot of their own money and time doing just that, and in my mind, that is service to their students.
Friendship: Everyone needs a friend. It is a vital part of not only growing up, but also of adult relationships. I hope that I can not only be a teacher, but also a friend to my students.
Achievement: It’s a great feeling when someone achieves something they have set out to do. Everyone loves that feeling of achievement, and I hope that when I am a teacher, I will be able to help my students feel that feeling of achievement while they are in my class. Not only will it give a child more self-esteem, it will help them feel like they can do anything they set out to do.
Excitement: I feel that being excited about life in general is something that can be good in people’s lives. But excitement over learning is something that I feel is so important. I hope that I can instill that excitement in my students at an early age, so once they get into Jr. high and high school, when students tend to start disliking school, they will still have that excitement and enjoyment, and they will look forward to learning all throughout their scholarly career.
Intelligence: Of course, when someone looks at what my career choice is, they can see how much I value intelligence. But I don’t think that intelligence is only the stuff we learn out of books, but it also includes the things that we learn about other people, and how to be a contributor to society.
I think that if I were just starting out in my college career, right out of high school, there would be a good chance that my values would change, but considering I have lived 33 years of my life already, I feel that I have a solid value base, and it won’t be changing.
Mission Statement
To bring out the best in all students I teach, to bring out my love for learning and help children feel that same love throughout their scholastic career
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)