My Professional Writing Media Class...

As a future elementary teacher, I know it is my responsibility to engage children in all ways possible. In this advanced world, technology needs to be integrated into instruction at all times. In this professional writing media class I am taking, I am having the opportunity to learn more about technology and the Web 2.0 tools. I really feel all of the Web 2.0 tools I have learned will be of great use in the school environment. Pinterest is great to express creativity and individuality for students and it is also a nice way to share ideas between educators.Prezi is an interesting way to teach lessons and concepts that children will enjoy. The zoom effects will have them in awe and their eyes will be glued to the screen. As an educator, creating a portfolio or LinkedIn profile is a smart, efficient way to organize your education credentials. Blogs and wikispaces are useful for teachers and students. They can benefit teacher expression and also for students to be involved in what the world sees of their classroom. It is important for children to know their input matters to people, even to strangers around the world. Google forms can be used for teaching advanced technology to gain insight on a particular subject. For example, if a school allows there may be clickers or tablets for children to utilize a google form. For me, everything I learned in ths professional media class will be beneficial towards my future as an educator. I can definitely see myself creating an efficient learning environment and that is where technology will be incorporated.

Here are a few tips for us elementary teachers..>> http://www.edutopia.org/blog/technology-tips-younger-elementary

Preparing Myself for Senior Year Exams..



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My last semester before student teaching is about to be over. I really dont know how to feel. Should I be happy or sad? I think I feel both emotions. First off, I was totally wrong for assuming this would be an easy going semester for me since I already took my CUIN's. It was the total opposite. I have learned so much and I am thankful for that. Finals are here and this is the one word that I do not jump for joy about. Final exam time has became so stressful some semesters because I did not prepare myself properly. In college, I learned not to procrastinate. Now, I study everything I feel is important in my classes and most importantly, I listen carefully when the teacher reviews over what will be covered on the test. I also verify with professors if the final will be comprehensive or not so I will know the right material to study. These are the few things that has helped me reach my Senior year in college...



Want to ace your finals? Here are some great tips on how to succeed in doung just that...>> http://www.survivingcollegelife.com/2007/11/29/33/

Happy Turkey Day!

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Turkey day has finally arrived. It is the break I long for during the Fall semesters. This year, the break officially starts on Thursday the day of Thanksgiving. Oh how I miss the whole week we stayed home from school in elementary and high school. It was great watching my little brothers and sisters have fun on their mini vacation. Luckily for me, I only had to attend class the first two days of the week so my break started Wednesday. My Thanksgiving break consisted of work, work, and more work. I even had to clock in on Turkey Day. When I was not at work, I was somewhere sleeping good. I can honestly say it was a well needed break from school work. I enjoyed myself, saw many family and friends, and I made some money...


Here are a few tips to stay healthy, not guilty during the holidays...>>http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/10-tips-for-a-thinner-thanksgiving

Its About That Time Again....Final Exams!!!

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The semester is finally coming to a conclusion. Can you say exhausted and excited at the same time?? This is the time to reflect on the knowledge you have gained in certain classes and what you need to do in order to receive the grade you deserve. As a Senior, I know first hand how stressful final exam time may be. It feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders all at once. You have to pace yourself and limit the amount of procrastination. That is one of my huge downfalls. The most important things are to find out all last upcoming assignments and verify whether the exam is comprehensive or not. It is also imperative to keep attending all classes for the sake of review time and explanation of any material that is confusing. If you are paying for a class and take your time to participate, you deserve to learn everything you need to take with you after Prairie View. To ensure that good grade, know the designated time of the exam and STUDY, STUDY, STUDY! I really cant stress that enough.






Never be unsure amd unprepared to take final exams...here is a link to the final exam schedule for Prairie View students for this Fall semester of 2012...>> http://www.pvamu.edu/pages/7490.asp

Let Your Voice Be Heard!

Wow! I can’t believe the semester is slowly approaching the end. Tomorrow’s date is November 6, 2012, which is also an important date to be locked in your calendar. It is Election Day all around the world. I did not have the opportunity participate in the early voting process so tomorrow I will be up bright and early letting my voice be heard. I feel voting is so important because it gives freedom of choice.

When I was younger, I didn’t quite fully grasp the whole voting concept especially since I couldn’t be involved. The only times I would hear about upcoming elections was through adult conversations and seeing my parents watch debates. I just always associated this time of the year with, “Oh, we are getting a new president”.

The fact that one decision that I have a huge say in will affect the world is somewhat mind boggling. I guess it amazes me in a way. My world is full of people I love, like my grandmother and other family and friends. The election of our president, whoever that may be will make a difference to these people in various forms. I love being a free spirit and I believe life is all about making choices, or decisions. It helps you grow as a person because there are a chance to rationalize and prioritize what is really important. The right to vote lets you stand for something and for whatever reasons you like. Not only is the right to vote help me realize how important my opinion is to society, it also makes me stop and smile when I think of all the pioneers who paved the way for our right to vote. Don’t let them down and don’t let yourself down. Go out and vote!!!

Lets see what happens on Election Day..Will there be a huge turnout? Make sure your voice is heard!...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/decision2012/on-election-eve-obama-has-a-slim-edge-in-polls/2012/11/05/7b67a5c0-278d-11e2-b4f2-8320a9f00869_story.html?hpid=z1

Behaviorist Theory

Behaviorist Theory

This particular theory simply states that a child's behavior and development is shaped by their environment, or experience. Children are born with certain traits and learning abilities but parents and teachers play a major role in the way a child will learn. I personally align myself with the Behaviorist theory because I agree with every single idea. I believe humans constantly learn from others in their surrounding area. No one comes on Earth knowing every single thing. As young children their environment, like where they reside and their role models, such as parents and teachers will always shape their way of learning and communicating throughout life.
There are three main theorists that focus on the Behaviorist Theory. They are:

I. John B. Watson : he believed everything we learn is just observable behavior ; he also introduced classical conditioning
II.  B. F. Skinner : operant conditioning : states a child will do something more when they know they will be positively rewarded.
III. Albert Bandura : social learning theory : states humans learn new behaviors by repeating what they see around them ; when they observe these behaviors being positively rewarded they will also repeat the behaviors more often.

More info at : www.innovativelearning.com/teaching/behaviorism.html

Maintaining Professionalism in Your Career

The look of a model teacher in the old- fashioned aspect has changed dramatically. The new look, especially for younger teachers, are showing more and more every day. In my school experience, I have had teachers with tattoos and many that dressed provocatively. One teacher in particular had an actual sleeve on her whole arm. I think the new breed of teachers is basically because the styles and fashion has changed as well. Some people are just thinking for the moment. The future including their professionalism is not in the front of the mind. As a young adult, I understand all of this. Not visible, tattoos that are invisible are perfectly okay in the classroom. I feel if tattoos are in places that are kept hidden is all that matters.  As long as their priorities are in order, their children needs come first, and they always do what is appropriate for a respectful loving teacher at the end of the school day everything should be fine.

Here is a website that has successful tips for professional dress for men and women...
First impressions are important, as well as your professional image...http://bit.ly/T2ZsZ5

 

 

 

 

 

 

                   

TExES Exam..

Today was the first representative TEXES exam for the month of October. This has been my first one since this semester. I prepared myself by studying and using certify teacher before today. Since there are so many deadlines in a couple of weeks, I have been really frustrated and anxious to pass this test. Not only do I want to pass it so I will be able to student teach, but I feel if I pass it will also make me more qualified. If I can understand and apply everything I learn and study to the test questions, then it will make me an overall smarter person. I had four hours to complete the test and I used three of those hours. The test was pretty much like certify teacher so I was familiar with the different sections. Just like certify teacher, my most struggling areas are Math and Science. These are the main two areas I am always studying because my understanding of the content is not too strong. Today, I just went in to take the test with a positive attitude which is always important. It is not helpful to go in with too many things on your mind. I also took my time and analyzed each question for what they were. Another good strategy I always use is the process of elimination and it helps me with the questions that are very difficult to answer. The overall test takes preparation, practice, and plenty of studying. Taken in consideration all the helpful tips and resources I have been given, I know I will be certified in Generalist EC-6 sooner than later.

 

 

 



If you're an educator or future educator that is in the process of successfully passing your TExES exam, this is an excellent practice resource ... http://certifyteacher.com/

 

 

What Will Next Semester Bring???

This semester is very bittersweet for me. This is my last semester actually walking on campus from class to class. This is my last semester getting to know four or five teachers at once. Next semester if the lord says the same, I will be student teaching. I feel so anxious, yet so overwhelmed. There is so many feelings of happiness, confusion, and even a little fear. My main focus right now is to be accepted to student teach in the spring. That’s the start. The whole process is what is overwhelming to me. I am sad to say I am a huge procrastinator and all of the requirements that our college of Education is requesting is due in less than two weeks. Luckily, I work well under pressure and I believe in myself that I will reach that goal. I know when all that is completed, it will relieve some stress I have. I am ready to enjoy my holidays with my family and friends and come back in the beginning of 2013 with one focus in mind. This is where the happiness and fear comes in place. Honestly, I am so proud of myself for being I arms reach of what I have worked for and dedicated all my time to for these past four years. When you enter college, everything seems so far away but the time well spent is what prepares you for the end of your journey. I am also a little afraid of what is in store for me and this upcoming semester. You hear other people experiences and you do observations yourself, but there is nothing like experiencing your own student teaching situation. My goal is to stay positive, focused, and be willing to learn as much as possible plus more from the opportunity that is presented to me. Now that I am writing, I feel somewhat better. I know what needs to be done and I claim successfully getting through student teaching.

http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/student-teaching.html: This link gives a couple of tips from teachers who were once in the same shoes as a student teacher.

My Professional Goals...

When I hear the word professional, I almost always think of the future, or my future to be exact. Since I am close to graduating, my future is me making the next big step towards my profession. I am a future teacher and I believe that teachers are important to the world. Teachers wear many hats and they are idols to many people. I plan to graduate and leave college as an undergraduate forever in May 2013. College has made me such a responsible, patient, motivated, and smarter person. I appreciate everything college has taught me and ready or not, I know I have to be prepared for the real world. My goal is to become a teacher as soon as I get the blessing to do so. With my degree and certification, I can teach grades Pre kindergarten through sixth grade. Although I prefer to be a first or second grade teacher, I want to have the experience of all levels one day. The most important thing for me is to go somewhere in life. I want to be a well rounded teacher and reach students in every context. My goal is to stay positive and keep the love and importance of education always present in the classroom. During this time, I just plan to be happy in my professional and personal life. I want to be financially stable and be content with my lifestyle. Eventually, I want to further my profession and receive my Master's degree in counseling.I want to become a counselor at the elementary level of course, but my dream is to become a middle school or high school counselor one day. I have already done a little research on a graduate school program at Texas Southern University.  At the end of the day, I want to be successful in my profession.

-   "If my best is better than yesterday, I have achieved something."

Here's a link to the Graduate Programs at Texas Southern University  --->>

http://www.tsu.edu/academics/colleges__schools/The_Graduate_School/Degree_Listing/default.php