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Teacher to Mother to Student
I had always planned to get my masters. The schedule was to get comfortable with the curriculum I was teaching then start taking classes towards a Masters in Mathematics and continue on to my PhD. Of course, nothing turns out the way you plan. Striving for a Masters in Mathematics would not allow me to teach since there was never high level math courses taught at night and I always told myself that I would only take online courses if I started a family. To my surprise my son was born in the spring of 2011 and that summer began my journey at Michigan State University. Since I had decided to stay home the first year with my son, I wanted to take advantage of my extra time, or so I thought. I had a long road ahead; I was a first time mother, and going back to school after 5 years of teaching.
I chose to get my Masters of Arts in Education at MSU because I was impressed with the program. I wanted to continue with mathematics but the Masters of Arts in Education allowed me to pick two concentrations, teaching mathematics and leadership in K-12. My first goal was to find more ways to enhance the interest and rigor of mathematics in my classroom. My second goal was to learn a little more about leadership since right before I took a break from teaching; my principal wanted me on leadership. And my last goal was to finish my Master's program by the time I went back to teaching.
My journey took different roads and my goals grew deeper. I began to realize my program introduced technology into my learning more than I expected. I found new ways to incorporate technology into my teaching, not just for my students, but my colleagues too. I was not too fond of how many technological project I was doing. I try not to step into things I know nothing about, so when my first class had me make a pod cast, I was thrown a curve ball. When I look back at my goals, I saw nothing about technology or at least a focus on it, but as I wrap up my program, I can see that I want to learn more strategies to not only to bring different technologies into my teaching but be able to have my students show their understanding through multi medias.
By my second semester, my leadership classes took over my program. Running a school was now on the table. What I did not plan for was a second baby and going back to teaching before I finished. My goals not only changed but so did my approach. Since my free time was dwindling down, my focus was on what I could learn and use at home as well as the classroom. I began to realize that many things that could make me a better teacher could make me a better mother and wife. The goal to learn more about leadership became not only educational but factual. I am finishing my program as head of my department and grade level. My principal brings me in daily for my opinions. It is funny how a person can start with the idea of something that could happen to it really happening. Focusing on the goal to be more knowledgeable as a leader, has secured my acknowledgement of myself that I am a leader. My goal is now turning into how effective I will be as an administrator. I still want to continue learning more leadership skills but as of now I wonder if I should go one step further and become an administrator.
My goals have grown but as a learner, teacher, and mother, my goal to keep learning continues to be the same. My life changes during my program shows me the constant change. Constant change will drive me to learn and expand all my goals in life.
I chose to get my Masters of Arts in Education at MSU because I was impressed with the program. I wanted to continue with mathematics but the Masters of Arts in Education allowed me to pick two concentrations, teaching mathematics and leadership in K-12. My first goal was to find more ways to enhance the interest and rigor of mathematics in my classroom. My second goal was to learn a little more about leadership since right before I took a break from teaching; my principal wanted me on leadership. And my last goal was to finish my Master's program by the time I went back to teaching.
My journey took different roads and my goals grew deeper. I began to realize my program introduced technology into my learning more than I expected. I found new ways to incorporate technology into my teaching, not just for my students, but my colleagues too. I was not too fond of how many technological project I was doing. I try not to step into things I know nothing about, so when my first class had me make a pod cast, I was thrown a curve ball. When I look back at my goals, I saw nothing about technology or at least a focus on it, but as I wrap up my program, I can see that I want to learn more strategies to not only to bring different technologies into my teaching but be able to have my students show their understanding through multi medias.
By my second semester, my leadership classes took over my program. Running a school was now on the table. What I did not plan for was a second baby and going back to teaching before I finished. My goals not only changed but so did my approach. Since my free time was dwindling down, my focus was on what I could learn and use at home as well as the classroom. I began to realize that many things that could make me a better teacher could make me a better mother and wife. The goal to learn more about leadership became not only educational but factual. I am finishing my program as head of my department and grade level. My principal brings me in daily for my opinions. It is funny how a person can start with the idea of something that could happen to it really happening. Focusing on the goal to be more knowledgeable as a leader, has secured my acknowledgement of myself that I am a leader. My goal is now turning into how effective I will be as an administrator. I still want to continue learning more leadership skills but as of now I wonder if I should go one step further and become an administrator.
My goals have grown but as a learner, teacher, and mother, my goal to keep learning continues to be the same. My life changes during my program shows me the constant change. Constant change will drive me to learn and expand all my goals in life.