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 Tomorrow is our last day of this class and last class of the summer. My head is spinning and I feel like it's all filled up with technology! I don't know how it was for my peers or other teachers who have been in my shoes, but I feel like my brain has been looking at a computer screen for 40 hrs straight. I know what we're learning will make us more effective and efficient teachers, but I'm excited for this weekend to come so I can read a book.

Technology Blues

It seems that we no longer need anything, but a computer in front of us to make it as a teacher. As long as we know how to use these applications we can relate to our students and let their creative juices flow. Assigning a group video is so much better than a group poster, and even now I seem to enjoy that more. I do miss a good ol' fashioned presentation in front of the class letting them know what I have discovered. I wonder if this generation is going to lack the ability to hold conversations, or worse speak in front of their peers?

Feeling like a Teacher

 I have learned a lot about the teacher I want to be from these classes thus far. I had a defining moment in middle school curriculum, with the famous Gert Nessin, because it let me see other options for being a teacher other than the traditional way. I can't wait to build a community amongst my students even if they are in high school. They will know each other's names, work habits, and respect each other enough to not put down ideas and beliefs. Before I can get to that I need to learn how to build a curriculum. We've been in this program for a little over three months and we haven't learned how to write a lesson plan. I feel that when we start our practicum in the fall I'm not going to be prepared. I could show them how to do a podcast, or a literacy game, but it won't be an ongoing lesson. Perhaps it's meant to be a "crash course" or a "learn as you go" type of thing.  Whatever is to come I'm excited and ready to take on whatever comes my way.

I want to share this website with those of you visual learners out there like myself. It's a wonderful site that helps you take data and organize it into meaningful patterns, trends, and exceptions.
      http://www.gapminder.org/

Bonding time for some MATers

     Well last night a few of us in the MAT program went out to watch a band, the Mallett Brothers, perform at Paddy Murphy's. It was a lot of fun, even though less than half were there. As a group we always enjoy a good outing together and get along quite well. The music was riveting with amazing guitar skills and wonderful vocals. 

This is a pretty sweet photo of them all... definitely check them out.  Hopefully there are more of these group-bonding times to come, since becoming a teacher takes a lot of cognitive thinking haha. By the end of our technology class my head is pounding and I need some time away from my computer... but we all know what's that like.

Where I'm At

So far in the Masters of Arts and Teaching program (MAT) I have completed three classes: educational psychology, middle school curriculum, and literacy across the curriculum. It's been a crazy ride so far and the summer is almost over. Right now I'm in a technology class, which gave me the idea to start my own blog. I am really excited about blogging and can't wait to share my stories, thoughts, and feelings with everyone on this roller coaster ride to becoming a teacher. 

Disclaimers: I am a fairly sarcastic person, I write creatively to express my feelings, and I'm not an English major, so bare with me.