Graduation

Do you agree with how many graduations we have at our school. It is very common at many of the other HBCU's and Universities that they have one graduation a year. Can you believe that? Do you think we have too many compared to other schools. We have 3 graduations total every year spring, summer and fall. I like to think of it as a blessing. Could you imagine that if you didn't pass a class in the spring semester having to wait a whole year before eligible to walk across the stage ? Or even if we had one graduation in may that means the time period and the space that we have wouldn't be enough. I love the way we have many graduations here it gives everyone a chance to catch up if they slip or if they need extra at the last minute. What do you think ?

The Horror of TAKS

Testing Testing Testing... Thats all I have heard over the past month. Here is my biggest issue with testing in Texas. The stress it places on the child that has to take the test is horrible. As a Texas high school graduate I feel current school age children's pain. Going through public schools you are given test to see your placement level. They also judge if you should move to the next grade. When I was in school it went as follows you take the TAKS test in 9th and 10th grade and it doesn't count toward moving up a grade. BUT your scores still should be passing or you will be put in a remedial class for either reading or math. Oh! But when you reach 11th grade it was called the TAKS exit exam. This exam was the deciding factor of graduation. Thats right no matter if you made straight A's and had a 3.0 g.p.a. you could not walk across the stage if you did not pass TAKS. Now the stress of knowing that you will not walk across the stage after all hard work put into your classes for the past four years. I was one of the students who didn't pass TAKS the first time when given. But I thank god till this day for my TAKS tutor she came and saved the day. In school we were not focusing on TAKS we were just learning as the teacher taught. It always seems that as soon as TAKS season came around thats all the teacher wanted to focus on. In actuality why isn't TAKS integrated throughout the year not just when its testing season?

Here is a article on the new STAAR test being harder than TAKS. 

Future Web 2.0 Use

As a future educator, I believe that I would implement many of our Web 2.0 tools implemented in this class. I've had a change of heart, I truly have enjoyed discovering new tools for electronic use. In the future years to come, I know that many other tools will come about but as for  now I will use prezi the most. The children will fairly enjoy this tool for they will be able to express themselves out of the normal PowerPoint. Also I would like to use google forms for them to sometime create their own form. That maybe could give examples of future test and stuff of what they would like. Overall I appreciate the knowledge of the web tools. The tools will def help me make my classroom more creative and and engaged environment.



Tool to use with your students!

NO Classes Offered !

Do you feel that you have not been properly advised during your college degree? Are you at the end of the road and your advisor springs new classes on you but, you have already set plans for expected graduation?  If you said no to any of my questions I feel your pain. As a education major we have certain classes that are only offered in the spring and the fall or maybe never offered. Only to find out we have to substitute the class for another. Or maybe you have saved all you basic classes for you last semester before student teaching or the summer. Only to be told they don't offer the class. Well if you didn't know about this semester let me enlighten you to what I found out. Recently, while I prepared myself to register for my last 8 hours for summer school I was astonished when i found out they weren't offering them at all. So after evaluating what they are offering they are offering more graduate classes than undergraduate. Which doesn't make sense or is fair. There excuse was because graduate students pay to go to school in summer because they are teachers and that is their break and best availability. Which is completely unfair, from the students eyes that go here everyday and are productive and proactive and are trying to graduate on time this only sets us back. If your going to cater to one group of students you need to cater to them all. Not whats going to benefit you best, this is why some do not graduate at all or on time because the process is very discouraging.

Check out a similar situation in California 

Cultural diversity in the classroom

In the past month I have gone on several interviews for positions with children. And on almost all of my interviews they have asked questions based on cultural diversity. You never know how important this factor is until it is your child or your family member not being able to connect. Diversity is super important in every-job. Children will play with anything wether it is a person animal or even an alien. As a child children don't see colors or stereotypes. it is the parents that see these type of things. children will here about a race of people and go along with it because their parents believe it. Not to say that the parent is wrong but I don't completely agree with parents being one sided. Living in todays society their will never be a classroom full of one race of people when diversity is not needed. For instance even if that rare situation does occur their teacher could be of a different race. How would parents handle that or even students would they make fun of the teacher who is the leader of the classroom because that is what is being taught in there house. Will they be open minded to learn from their teacher because they are intrigued? If a child is taught early of different cultures and races dealing with people there should not be a problem in the future. Right is always right and wrong is ALWAYS wrong.


A article on diversity 

The Importance of the parent/teacher relationship

In class we are literally bombarded with why we should communicate so much with the students parent. When first introduced to the idea I had to completely agree. Because if you have any type of relationship with the parent you as a teacher are more on top of your game to say the least. Parents want to feel involved with what is going on in the classroom. if you think about it from ages five to eighteen students spend majority of their life with some type of educator. Wouldn't you want your child in the best hands if possible. So I would want to know everything about the school, principal, and teacher. On occasions if you don't have a ready-built relationship with your parents you might come across hard situations. Regarding behavior problems if the teacher relays to the parent how her classroom is ran there should be no question of children actions. Sometimes you have the parent that always agrees with the child asking from proof of their child's actions. I believe that if you know your parent and your student this will not come to be a problem.

An article that speaks on how parents vs. teachers in the class room. 

Profesional Dress

Professional dress is very important in the teacher world or rather any profession at hand. There are definitely things that shouldn't be worn at work because of the setting. Especially when you wouldn't want people to get the wrong impression of you. Lets face it as human beings we can be very judgmental knowingly or not. To avoid these issues you carry yourself in a manner where you don't give others a opportunity to even go there. Of course we will all have spirit days (Jeans and school shirt) but that is not everyday wear. You as a teacher are to set an example with your students. If you dress professionally they will hold you with a certain respect. But if you wear t-shirt and jeans constantly they will feel more laid back not taking you serious. More on a level of treating you like one of their friends. When you don't dress professional you aren't setting a boundary or showing a difference between student and teacher.

Here is a article about gaining the respect of students, from professional dress. 

Electronics in the Classroom

How many times do we have to discuss "Electronics in the Classroom.”? It seems like it is always up for debate in my classes.  Personally in today’s age, time and advancement in technology, I 100% believe they should be incorporated. There are plenty of educational tools available on different devices rather its an iPad, computer, etc. Teacher of the "old-school" shouldn't always think negative about new things. As a teacher anything brought to the table can be integrated in the classroom positively. You have to be creative as a teacher old school and new school. When teachers get stuck in a certain way of teaching the child often gets lost. This sometimes causes the child to pull out their electronics. Which should be a light bulb in your head. INCORPORATE TECHNOLOGY.

Here is a article that gives Pros and Cons!

P.S.  If your worried about discipline remember this is why you as a teacher have rules consequences in place! 

What type of teacher are you?

Today, I taught a lesson based on place value for a second grade class. At the end of my lesson, my teacher did a praise report on my presentation. She compared the two presenters which was myself and another classmate. When she reviewed my actions, she gave great feedback on the way that I handled the class. She said "She came in immediately got to the point while keeping the students attention". In my eyes it is very important to maintain classroom management. Not because you want to be mean but, when you set the standards things run smoother. It is your job as a teacher to make the environment a learning environment. I always say, "when you start off strict you will never forget".

Find out what style of teaching best fit you !

My Professional Goals !

I am currently a senior at Prairie View A&M University studying interdisciplinary studies, with a concentration in early childhood education thru sixth grade. As of today, my professional goals are to become a certified Texas teacher upon graduation. I hope to one day in the near future teach a happy class of 1st grade students. Helping each and every student reach their goals just as my teachers have taught myself. Choosing the right college was the first big decision I made keeping my goals in mind. 

Find out for yourself how great of a school Prairie View A&M University  is!