As a teacher and community advocate, I strive to remedy the challenges of adverse childhood experiences (ACE), poverty and violence. I'm intrigued by the motivation that is cultivated by different supportive and discouraging learning environments, and how overcoming the achievement gap can transform our society. I'm committed to social justice, seen through my 10 years in education, and nonprofit director roles.
I was drawn to the Innovative Learning program at TUC because of it's focus on design. As Daniel Pink points out, design is a skill set that is invaluable in every work place, including education. As teachers we are designing the experience for our students. As a right/left brain type, the program has been engaging and expanding. The teachers' creed, is also a guiding light for my teaching. In Loco Parentis, or in place of the parent, sets the stage for teachers to be more than instructors, for me this is the fun part of teaching, being the mentor and role model is essential for students without a stable home life. I've witnessed on countless instances, students waking up to their potential when their teacher believes in them. I try to engage my students with In Loco Parentis in mind, it's what makes a good teacher great. My TPACK journey has been eye opening. Honestly, before entering this program, the idea of grading and refining technology use wasn't clear, it seemed like some tools work, other didn't, but really looking at the combination of pedagogy, content knowledge and technology, creates the venn diagram that solves that puzzle. I've also learned a lot about tech tools that are effective vs. superficial. The SAMR model points out that DOK is expanded when technology is more that a mere substitution for analogy tools. These tools and the engagement from the cohort has made me a better teacher without a doubt.
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AuthorAs a teacher and community advocate I strive to remedy the challenges of adverse childhood experiences (ACE), poverty and violence. I'm intrigued by the motivation that is cultivated by different supportive and discouraging learning environment, and how overcoming the achievement gap can transform our society. Archives
July 2017
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