My top priority this past semester was figuring out my summer plans. What I do this semester determined a lot of my future, like when I graduate. It was a big decision and took a long time to make, but I finally made it. I will be working all summer at Camp Ozark. Next summer I will go abroad, and I will finally graduate in December 2009.
My number one goal next semester would be to really focus on my grades. I am taking a couple freshman classes that should be easy A’s, but I know as a senior it is easy to slack off. So I am hoping to maintain focus and do well. I have a chance to bring up my GPR and I wanted to take it.
I would like to strengthen all my friendships. Just as everyone told me, college has flown by. I have made some very good friends and am thankful for them all. Next year I hope those friendships continue to be strong so that when graduation comes, I will not regret having not spent more time with people. I am still close with all my friends from high school, and I hope to stay just as close with my college friends beyond graduation as well.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Bilingual Blessing
What a privilege it is to speak a second language. The ability to communicate with others in their own language is a given comfort often overlooked. Usually in the United States we expect everyone to speak English. Though expectation could be justified by the fact that majority of Americans speak English, the other fact still remains; English is not the official language of the United States. But still because English is the dominate language it is encouraged to learn. Although it is necessary that some native English speakers learn another language to help others learn English. Realizing this predicament of many haughty Americans not knowing a second language, I find it both a privilege and exciting talent in which to thrive. I have an innate desire to help others, and I feel my ever-growing Spanish skills and the increasing demands of bilingual educators is a great situation to be in. It is exciting to recognize my skills and be able to use them effectively.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Text Message Miscommunication
When asked to write about an instance in my life where “communication has gone wrong”, a million situations came to mind. Being raised with a generation thriving on communication through electronic devices often more than face to face, many instances of miscommunication are possible. Though technology has been a blessing in many ways, it has also has been a cause to many misunderstandings between people. Because of the lack of face-to-face interaction through many modern communication devices, many conversations become misinterpreted. (With the telephone at least tone and voice inflection provide guidance, but facial expressions are absent.) Text and e-mail are the two main vices on which my generation has thrived. The meanings of exclamation points and periods have greatly increased. With exclamation points, comments can be read as overly enthused or with a period (since minimal to no punctuation is used through this medium) can add a negative tone.
My miscommunication occurred once when a friend asked me if I wanted to go to a movie. I replied with a simple “no thank you.” If face to face, or on the phone, the gratitude I had for my friend asking me and the grace when declining would have been easily understood. But because there was no first hand contact, voice intonation, or even punctuation, my friend understood my response as apathetic and unappreciative. First of all, I believe my friend was over analyzing these three little words and the intentions behind them. But I also recognize that if I had added a simple exclamation point, my response would have been perceived much differently. This situation has taught me that lack of punctuation when trying to respond quickly is not always the best choice. It can have grave consequences. Since then, I am very conscious of my text messaging and how what I say may be perceived by others without my personality present to guide it.
My miscommunication occurred once when a friend asked me if I wanted to go to a movie. I replied with a simple “no thank you.” If face to face, or on the phone, the gratitude I had for my friend asking me and the grace when declining would have been easily understood. But because there was no first hand contact, voice intonation, or even punctuation, my friend understood my response as apathetic and unappreciative. First of all, I believe my friend was over analyzing these three little words and the intentions behind them. But I also recognize that if I had added a simple exclamation point, my response would have been perceived much differently. This situation has taught me that lack of punctuation when trying to respond quickly is not always the best choice. It can have grave consequences. Since then, I am very conscious of my text messaging and how what I say may be perceived by others without my personality present to guide it.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
POLS 331: Intro to World Politics
This class looks at the policies and relations of nations from a political point of view. Foreign problems and factors of these problems are discussed as well as analyses of the situations. Being an International Studies major, this is by far one of the most important classes to take. Understanding foreign relations is provides clarity to many other aspects of the nation. The way a country is run and relates to other countries, especially the United States, is very relevant to the understanding the social and economic conditions of countries also. From this course I hope to gain a better grasp on Latin American politics. I know there is much corruption and turmoil and several of the Latin American countries, but I do not fully understand why there is so much chaos in this area of the world. My peers have said this class is very fascinating. Some of the professors are more engaging than others, but the material for the class is excellent. I have also heard that the class is rather rigorous, but definitely doable if you attend class regularly. I took a sociology class on the global social and economic problems are Latin America my sophomore year. This class opened my eyes to issues in the social and economic realms. Now when I take the politics class, I have a more well rounded comprehension of the countries as a whole, and not just in one aspect.
Monday, March 24, 2008
An Unsuspecting Will to Serve
A professor reflected on this pre-professionals blog and those of my class. One comment she said was "what caught my eye is how many of you feel a service-driven need related to your career--you want to help people. That is quite notable (and very opposite to that reading on narcissism!)." To me this statement is loaded with criticism, challenge and compliment. First of all, and probably the least notable of those three is the criticism I noticed. Earlier in the semester we read an article about our generation being narcissistic. I find this to unfair and false assumption. But with regards to the rest of my professor’s comments, it pleases me to see that our generation seems to be disproving society's thought about us being narcissistic. Secondly, this comment is a huge compliment. To be called notable is not to be taken lightly. The college-aged is often stereotyped and viewed a radical stage in life. Though everyone experiences it, many do not take this age seriously and tend to overlook their opinions. But for a professor to recognize our efforts and potential is such a rewarding feeling. That being said, I take this compliment as a challenge. It is a challenge to continue to believe in myself and my generation, which will rise to success and serve this world and not ourselves. We are a generation of technology and opportunity to reach others like none before. I believe, as a generation, we recognize this valuable chance to do something extraordinary. For me, I want to take my skills and go to South America. I want to use my talent for knowing another language to educate those in Spanish and teach them so that they may in return help themselves and help others. Overall, I want to serve, using all my resources I have been blessed to grow up with. I want to continue to break this narcissistic idea of our generation and continue to look at others and ways to help them.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Virtually Teaching to Really Teach
What is the best way for me teach certain subjects? How will students react if I present something in this way? Will this strategy be effective?
All these questions could be answered in the classroom, the real classroom. I could use a real class through some trial and error methods of teaching. But why would I do that if I can use my virtual life and virtual students to test out teaching methods. Not only can I interact with students and get their opinions, but I can also get advice from other teachers. And the great thing is I can do all this NOW! I don’t have to wait until I have a teaching career underway. I can begin developing great teaching methods and coming up with creative ways for students to learn even while I am still a student myself. Websites, like Second Life, create so much opportunity for users for the betterment of their careers. It’s a choice one has to make, if they rather better their virtual life or their real life, but if the latter is chosen many fields will be improved. Education is always looking for the best and most effective ways to help children learn, and this provides and excellent opportunity for just that.
All these questions could be answered in the classroom, the real classroom. I could use a real class through some trial and error methods of teaching. But why would I do that if I can use my virtual life and virtual students to test out teaching methods. Not only can I interact with students and get their opinions, but I can also get advice from other teachers. And the great thing is I can do all this NOW! I don’t have to wait until I have a teaching career underway. I can begin developing great teaching methods and coming up with creative ways for students to learn even while I am still a student myself. Websites, like Second Life, create so much opportunity for users for the betterment of their careers. It’s a choice one has to make, if they rather better their virtual life or their real life, but if the latter is chosen many fields will be improved. Education is always looking for the best and most effective ways to help children learn, and this provides and excellent opportunity for just that.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
A Class Worth My Time...
PHIL 243: Philosophy of Latin America
After taking History of Latin American since 1810 last semester and currently being enrolled in History of Cultural and Intellectual Latin America, this class seemed fitting for me. So much of what we discuss is around the time of the Independence Wars in Latin America. This is a time period which I have studied extensively through other classes from a historical perspective. It is now enjoyable to study this era from a different view. This class questions ethical and moral motives of the Europeans and even Natives. We get to read philosophical arguments by authors of the time, and discuss their pieces while comparing them to current situations of Latin America. It is a great class that makes me think and dig deeper into the subjects that I have learned, but now coming to truly understand.
What does this class hold for my future? So much of Latin America history is directly reflected in the situations of these countries today. It has been said time and time again that all of Latin America’s problems can be traced back to the colonial times of this region. As a future teacher/missionary of people from this area, knowing and understanding their history will better enable me to relate to them. From issues like why a family illegally crossed the border to raise their children here to homeless children left on the streets without anyone caring, not even the government, this class helps me to not judge these situations. Knowing the past hardships and mayhem that many of these countries puts these conditions into perspective. Anyone with a future relating in anyway to Latin America should definitely look into this class.
After taking History of Latin American since 1810 last semester and currently being enrolled in History of Cultural and Intellectual Latin America, this class seemed fitting for me. So much of what we discuss is around the time of the Independence Wars in Latin America. This is a time period which I have studied extensively through other classes from a historical perspective. It is now enjoyable to study this era from a different view. This class questions ethical and moral motives of the Europeans and even Natives. We get to read philosophical arguments by authors of the time, and discuss their pieces while comparing them to current situations of Latin America. It is a great class that makes me think and dig deeper into the subjects that I have learned, but now coming to truly understand.
What does this class hold for my future? So much of Latin America history is directly reflected in the situations of these countries today. It has been said time and time again that all of Latin America’s problems can be traced back to the colonial times of this region. As a future teacher/missionary of people from this area, knowing and understanding their history will better enable me to relate to them. From issues like why a family illegally crossed the border to raise their children here to homeless children left on the streets without anyone caring, not even the government, this class helps me to not judge these situations. Knowing the past hardships and mayhem that many of these countries puts these conditions into perspective. Anyone with a future relating in anyway to Latin America should definitely look into this class.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
I've Got an Issue: Early Childhood Teacher Bashers
School for little kids is just like a glorified babysitting program. What an easy job for the teacher: you just give them a juice box and watch them take a nap. Anyone can do that…
Offended? I am. The first few years of a child’s life are when they learn some of the most basic and valuable lessons of their life. Think about it, that’s when you spoke your first words, learned to read, how to count and the concept of right versus wrong. These lessons were not innate. Someone had to bring them through the process of learning these essential notions that you use for your entire life. Though many of us do not remember school in our early years, what you learned is definitely still with you, I promise. If you’re reading this you’re living proof; you obviously have learned how to read. And I bet it was when you were very young and hardly even remember. We so easily take for granted our early years. Just because many of us do not remember all that happened during that time, does not mean that those years are any less worthy. To me these years are some of the most difficult to teach because as a teacher, you are so often and easily forgotten by the child. But it is the knowledge that you have taught that child something that will stick with them forever, whether they remember you or not is not important. The knowledge gained through what they probably consider playing is a lifelong skill that they will have acquired. Much of the way a child learns seems like play to adults. And it should, stacking colored blocks on top of one another only to bulldoze them over is not rocket science. But to a child, he is learning to carefully steady his clumsy hand while placing a block on top of another block, choosing the right color to fit his pattern, creating a brilliant construction that he envisions in his mind. He is putting into reality what he imagines in his head. How can he make it bigger and better without it falling? His problem solving skills are being refined by each block. Can he add another block to this side without having this pile fall? No, he must first build up this other side. Then once he has finished, he steps back with great satisfaction, and gathers others to see his work. Then switching from his fine motor skills used to create his block building, to his gross motor skills, he destroys it all. Body awareness, strength, power, it’s all being unknowingly discovered. As a teacher, you can’t get frustrated that he did not build it more perfectly or when destroying it the blocks made a mess of the room. Think of all that hard work that child put into his masterpiece, and what fun he had destroying it. All the while, developing and growing. So, see? To every child’s play there is much more at work. As an early childhood teacher you observe children in their play, guiding them to learn more through a fun activity. Every activity becomes a learning opportunity. It takes patience, persistence, love and so much more. It takes a special gift, a love to watch a child grow and succeed, even at an early age. Think you can do it? Try it. I dare you.
Offended? I am. The first few years of a child’s life are when they learn some of the most basic and valuable lessons of their life. Think about it, that’s when you spoke your first words, learned to read, how to count and the concept of right versus wrong. These lessons were not innate. Someone had to bring them through the process of learning these essential notions that you use for your entire life. Though many of us do not remember school in our early years, what you learned is definitely still with you, I promise. If you’re reading this you’re living proof; you obviously have learned how to read. And I bet it was when you were very young and hardly even remember. We so easily take for granted our early years. Just because many of us do not remember all that happened during that time, does not mean that those years are any less worthy. To me these years are some of the most difficult to teach because as a teacher, you are so often and easily forgotten by the child. But it is the knowledge that you have taught that child something that will stick with them forever, whether they remember you or not is not important. The knowledge gained through what they probably consider playing is a lifelong skill that they will have acquired. Much of the way a child learns seems like play to adults. And it should, stacking colored blocks on top of one another only to bulldoze them over is not rocket science. But to a child, he is learning to carefully steady his clumsy hand while placing a block on top of another block, choosing the right color to fit his pattern, creating a brilliant construction that he envisions in his mind. He is putting into reality what he imagines in his head. How can he make it bigger and better without it falling? His problem solving skills are being refined by each block. Can he add another block to this side without having this pile fall? No, he must first build up this other side. Then once he has finished, he steps back with great satisfaction, and gathers others to see his work. Then switching from his fine motor skills used to create his block building, to his gross motor skills, he destroys it all. Body awareness, strength, power, it’s all being unknowingly discovered. As a teacher, you can’t get frustrated that he did not build it more perfectly or when destroying it the blocks made a mess of the room. Think of all that hard work that child put into his masterpiece, and what fun he had destroying it. All the while, developing and growing. So, see? To every child’s play there is much more at work. As an early childhood teacher you observe children in their play, guiding them to learn more through a fun activity. Every activity becomes a learning opportunity. It takes patience, persistence, love and so much more. It takes a special gift, a love to watch a child grow and succeed, even at an early age. Think you can do it? Try it. I dare you.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
"To Teach is to Touch a Life Forever..."
http://www.teachforamerica.org/corps/teaching/diaries/nyc_kinhal_shyla.htm
As mentioned before, my 3 passions that drive me in the direction towards a teaching career are service, children, and Spanish. Teach for America is a program that recruits “recent college graduates and professionals of all academic majors and career interests who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools and become leaders in the effort to expand educational opportunity.” What a perfect opportunity! When browsing their website I came across several teachers’ personal accounts of the lives they had changed during their years of service. One in particular stood out to me. It was about a bilingual 2nd grade teacher who had a student, Chris, who was very behind in school because did not like speaking in front of others and hardly spoke Spanish at all. But after much intentional time and a deliberate investment in his life, Chris wanted to have English speaking parts in the school play!
This author uses her personal experience to encourage others to join the Teach for America Program. I found her approach rather humble, yet very persuasive as well. She effectively pulls at your heart. Retelling a personal story is much more effective than just telling about the program. How it actually changes a child's life is much more gripping than how it could change a child's life. Reading this story makes me realize how influential a teacher can be in the life of a student. As the mother of Chris put it, “Chris, Ms. Kinhal es como tu mama en la escuela. Ella te quiere mucho, asà que la tienes que escuchar. Chris, Ms. Kinhal is like your mother in school. She loves you, so you have to listen to her." Children often look to their educators as mentors. I would love to be an encouraging example to students, just as this teacher was to Chris.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Getting educated... both student and teacher!
http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/bilingual_ed/news/
TeAchnology, The Online Teacher Resource serves as an outstanding tool for both parents and teachers about the latest ideas in the bilingual education field. It offers creative activities as well as articles on the latest topics to discuss on growth and development of children. The online tips to teaching are priceless. It has advice for every possible subject from music to tattling. This site also provides links to various other websites that give invaluable information and ideas for teaching. The information offered on this site is useful, not only for a teacher, but anyone who is around children. For example, if I am serving in a Spanish orphanage, there are many great tips and activities given on this site that I could use. Needless to say, the things I learn now and in the next few years will definitely be used later in my professional career as an educator.
TeAchnology, The Online Teacher Resource serves as an outstanding tool for both parents and teachers about the latest ideas in the bilingual education field. It offers creative activities as well as articles on the latest topics to discuss on growth and development of children. The online tips to teaching are priceless. It has advice for every possible subject from music to tattling. This site also provides links to various other websites that give invaluable information and ideas for teaching. The information offered on this site is useful, not only for a teacher, but anyone who is around children. For example, if I am serving in a Spanish orphanage, there are many great tips and activities given on this site that I could use. Needless to say, the things I learn now and in the next few years will definitely be used later in my professional career as an educator.
What the Future Holds...
As I think about the future and what excites me, three things come to mind: service, children, and Spanish. These are three passions in my life that, no matter what I’m doing, will be my motivation for whichever profession I choose. For the short term future plans, I want to do missionary work. My degrees in international studies and Spanish have greatly prepared me to spend time in another country with a different culture. My focus in international studies is communications and media with a regional concentration of Latin America. My love for Spanish has driven to study this area; also, a Latin American country is where I intend to serve one day. As for a long term sense, I would love to teach early childhood. Before becoming a teacher though, I intend to return school to accomplish my masters in the education field. Depending on my time spent in a Spanish speaking country, I may teach in an international school abroad. My other idea is to be a bilingual educator. My experience working at summer camps and babysitting has caused me realize how much I enjoy seeing a child learn and grow. Many options lay ahead of me. Choosing which path to take will be the challenge in the next couple of years.
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