Missed Class

I missed a class this Tuesday. I spent my day learning all about the inner workings of America First Federal Credit Union. Anyways, I look forward to getting back into the grove of class and further my learning!

RESPECT

Respect in the classroom is essential. Why? Because as you respect the students, and they respect you, a mutual understanding occurs. They know that you are there to teach, and they are there to learn, and this facilitates a great learning environment. Also, as you have the respect of the students, you are able to have a good command of the classroom.
As I observed Mr. Anderson on Thursday, I noticed that he had the respect of his students. They really enjoyed his class and had fun. They were able to follow directions and learn. This was due to their respect of him. I hope to learn from that example, and build upon these observations.

The Three Person Problem

The three person problem is a method of learning developed by Walter Gong. I really enjoyed our class discussion regarding this theory and it's key parts. The key parts are as follows; purpose (of what I am learning), central message, applications, and values (my values regarding what I learned). I feel that if I can apply this method of learning into my life, I will gain, and retain, more knowledge and also improve as a person.
I have so much more that came across my mind as I pondered these things, but my mind is racing with all my other assignments at this time so I am struggling to put my thoughts down. Till next time...

Avoid getting headaches!

The quote of the day in my Junior High Observation goes as follows: "When teaching, the most important thing to remember is to avoid getting headaches!" Mr. Walker, at Mountain Ridge Junior High, has been teaching for about 34 years and, with a twinkle in his eye and a smirk on his face, that was his advise.
Actually I learned two important, valuable lessons. The first is to trust students. No matter what grade level or age. They are smart, and want to learn, and can do things on their own. I have an internal tendency to micromanage and I am realizing more and more the importance of not offering silver platters to students, but of the need to promote inquiry based learning.
The other lesson doesn't pertain directly to the education aspect, but in regards to interactions with people in general. It is so important to respect everyone, whether they are in Junior High, High School, Freshman year in college, or Senior year in college. Every has something they can bring to the table and we all cal build each other and lift each other up.
I had a job interview a week and a half ago in which I was asked to pick a hero and explain why. I sat back for a minute and responded with "My mission president." The main reason for this choice was his main philosophy in leadership and in teaching. He always told us to get in the trenches and lift from underneath to build others up. He showed by example that you need get your hands dirty and push from under. This is a lesson that I will never forget and will always strive to emulate.

A sigh of relief...

    Let's rewind to yesterday...(psychedelic music and shimmering screen)

   I arrive home, from a good morning of classes, to my box filled apartment. It's full of boxes because I am a newlywed and we just moved in. Anyways, I have one assignment to complete for the next day. I work to clean up a little before I begin. Later in the afternoon, I sit down to finish reading the article and then do my presentation. I push and strain and stress to put together a mediocre, at best, power point on a little known application that was used to train dinosaurs in the basics of computer programming. I feel that I have fulfilled the assignment, and am happy with my work, but I am not sure if it is what Professor Geoff is looking for. Dinner time and Family Home Evening are upon me, so I leave the computer for viddles and fun. (more psychedelic music and shimmering)...

    Back to today. 

   I woke up this morning feeling better about my presentation. I realized that I had done some research into my mindtool and that I had also put together a basic but decent power point. So off I went to class, excited but still a little nervous. 

   I was the second to present, and it actually went very well. At least I'd like to think so. I only had one little bump, but thanks to some help from Rachel, I survived and didn't fall flat on my face. What a relief. I have now survived my first real assignment from BYU and I am ready to tackle the next one... :)

My Teaching Philosophy

Now don't you all go getting way excited. I am not going to reveal the secrets of my philosophy ;) I just want to put down a few ideas that I have developed from a brief examination of the concept of teaching and what it means to be a teacher.
To me, being a teacher is about facilitating learning. The burden of learning is on the student. If a traveler wants to get from point A to point B, they have many options. She can walk, run, drive, ride, fly, etc. It is up to her to choose and to follow through with her plan. A teacher is like the travel agent. His responsibility is to provide information and point the traveler in the right direction. He cannot force her to go a certain way, and he cannot make the decision to travel at all.
In forming my philosophy I will use this metaphor. I want to help "create a learning environment where students are passionate about discovery." (Brent Webb, BYU Professor; Faculty Development Seminar) Teaching is not just a job, it is not just a career, it is not just a past time. To be a teacher is one of the highest, noblest, callings in life and is, in fact, a way of life. This is a principle that I learned during my mission and has been brought to my mind today.
As a full-time missionary, I was anxiously engaged in always striving to teach others. At first it was tough, but as I worked at it, teaching others became natural and actually a desire ingrained in me. I hope to find that passion and become consumed in education.

First Day of Classes

Wow! Today was my very first day of classes at Brigham Young University. What a drastic change from my classes at The State University of New York at Purchase College. Classes at Purchase were excellent but the environment was completely different. Let me talk about those classes for a bit.
The professors at Purchase are 80% working professionals; which on one hand is great because they have lots of experience in the theatre world, but on the other hand, it also means that they have the professional theatre mentality. This includes an overwhelming amount of crudeness, profanity, and every man for himself/ dog-eat-dog mentality. Don't get me wrong, I learned a lot from my classes. I loved them, but the prospect of one day working in that environment was not one that caused me much excitement. The head of my program, who also happened to be my advisor, gave me some great advice. He told me at the end of every day to ask myself this question, "Am I being true to myself and what I believe." If I was unable to answer this in the affirmative, then I needed to change. Nothing else mattered except being true to my beliefs.
That advice helped to bring me to where I am today. It is amazing to me that in a collegiate setting, or any educational setting for that matter, the gospel can be so closely integrated with classes and the curriculum. Sitting in my first class today affirmed that this is where I should be and where I can answer truthfully and positively that I am being true to myself and to my values.