Annotated Transcript of My Coursework in the Master of Arts and Education Program
Summer 2012
CEP 883 - Psychology of Classroom Discipline
Instructor: Vicky Mousouli
Psychology of Classroom Discipline focused a great deal on classroom management. Throughout this course we learned the best practices for building an effective classroom community. Practices we learned included, but were not limited to: creating an atmosphere conducive to learning through mutual respect and a kind rapport, creating structure in the classroom through organization and consistency, building trust and caring relationships with each student on a personal level, eliminating off task or disruptive behaviors through the implementation of clearly stated expectations, rules, carefully designed classroom setups and seating charts, etc.
Instructor: Vicky Mousouli
Psychology of Classroom Discipline focused a great deal on classroom management. Throughout this course we learned the best practices for building an effective classroom community. Practices we learned included, but were not limited to: creating an atmosphere conducive to learning through mutual respect and a kind rapport, creating structure in the classroom through organization and consistency, building trust and caring relationships with each student on a personal level, eliminating off task or disruptive behaviors through the implementation of clearly stated expectations, rules, carefully designed classroom setups and seating charts, etc.
TE 823 - Learning Communities and Equity
Instructor: Kyle Greenwalt
It was in TE 823 that I was first introduced to the works and research of John Dewy and his strong beliefs on learning through hands-on inquiry and self-discovery. Professor Greenwalt called upon us to draw information from philosophers past and apply their research to education of the present. We ourselves were engaging in educational inquiry as we were asked throughout the course to consider the meaning of the word “failure” and as it applies to education, and interpret what causes failure in schools. Additionally, we reflected on the challenges and opportunities that can arise in building classroom communities. Finally, we discussed schools as “embryonic communities,” and discussed the effectiveness of schools in teaching and “raising” students who will be finish school (or be “born” into society) with all the skills they need to be competent, successful, contributing members of society.
Instructor: Kyle Greenwalt
It was in TE 823 that I was first introduced to the works and research of John Dewy and his strong beliefs on learning through hands-on inquiry and self-discovery. Professor Greenwalt called upon us to draw information from philosophers past and apply their research to education of the present. We ourselves were engaging in educational inquiry as we were asked throughout the course to consider the meaning of the word “failure” and as it applies to education, and interpret what causes failure in schools. Additionally, we reflected on the challenges and opportunities that can arise in building classroom communities. Finally, we discussed schools as “embryonic communities,” and discussed the effectiveness of schools in teaching and “raising” students who will be finish school (or be “born” into society) with all the skills they need to be competent, successful, contributing members of society.
Fall 2012
TE 865 - Teaching and Learning in K-12 Social Studies
Instructor: Lynn Fendler
As a social studies teacher, this class was very valuable to me as it provided a view of social studies from a different perspective and gave me insight into how to add the big ideas or themes of citizenship, leadership, and peace into the lessons of my curriculum. Topics we studied pertaining to citizenship included regional, religious, international, global, economic, and environmental citizenship. Concepts pertaining to leadership included teachers as leaders, language and practices, and money and politics. In our learning about peace, we covered peace games and approaches to peace, as well as researched many peace museums. Additionally, during this course I participated in a book club in which we read about and discussed best practices for teaching social studies in a way that is meaningful, applicable to real life, relevant, beneficial, and memorable.
Instructor: Lynn Fendler
As a social studies teacher, this class was very valuable to me as it provided a view of social studies from a different perspective and gave me insight into how to add the big ideas or themes of citizenship, leadership, and peace into the lessons of my curriculum. Topics we studied pertaining to citizenship included regional, religious, international, global, economic, and environmental citizenship. Concepts pertaining to leadership included teachers as leaders, language and practices, and money and politics. In our learning about peace, we covered peace games and approaches to peace, as well as researched many peace museums. Additionally, during this course I participated in a book club in which we read about and discussed best practices for teaching social studies in a way that is meaningful, applicable to real life, relevant, beneficial, and memorable.
Spring 2013
ED 800 - Concepts of Educational Inquiry
Instructor: Steven Weiland
Concepts of Educational Inquiry was a course deeply rooted in educational history. In this course we were challenged to consider the purposes, traditions, characteristic activities, and recurring problems in education. We looked at the ways education has evolved over the years, as well as the possible causes and effects of many educational reforms. Additionally, we studied the works of a number of educational philosophers, and finally we were asked to consider what our own teaching philosophies are and whether or not they have changed after learning about the history of education.
Instructor: Steven Weiland
Concepts of Educational Inquiry was a course deeply rooted in educational history. In this course we were challenged to consider the purposes, traditions, characteristic activities, and recurring problems in education. We looked at the ways education has evolved over the years, as well as the possible causes and effects of many educational reforms. Additionally, we studied the works of a number of educational philosophers, and finally we were asked to consider what our own teaching philosophies are and whether or not they have changed after learning about the history of education.
Summer 2013
TE 836 - Awards and Classics of Childrens' Literature
Instructor: Laura Apol
Children's literature has always been something that I have been very passionate about. In this class I learned about many types of awards that children’s books can earn (many of which were new to me), what the criterion for each entails, and how they are awarded. Some of the awards we studied were the Caldecott Award, the Newbery Award, the Coretta Scott King Award, the Schneider Family Award, the Pura Belpre Award, the Michael L. Printz Award, and the Orbis Pictus Award. Throughout the course I was provided with the opportunity to read a multitude of children’s books recognized for winning the above awards. Additionally, my classmates and I explored and debated what criteria make a book a “classic.” After completing this course I have a new appreciation for award winning children’s books, an expanded knowledge of what awards exist for children’s books, as well a great appreciation for children’s books that have many great qualities but have gone unrecognized by award committees.
Instructor: Laura Apol
Children's literature has always been something that I have been very passionate about. In this class I learned about many types of awards that children’s books can earn (many of which were new to me), what the criterion for each entails, and how they are awarded. Some of the awards we studied were the Caldecott Award, the Newbery Award, the Coretta Scott King Award, the Schneider Family Award, the Pura Belpre Award, the Michael L. Printz Award, and the Orbis Pictus Award. Throughout the course I was provided with the opportunity to read a multitude of children’s books recognized for winning the above awards. Additionally, my classmates and I explored and debated what criteria make a book a “classic.” After completing this course I have a new appreciation for award winning children’s books, an expanded knowledge of what awards exist for children’s books, as well a great appreciation for children’s books that have many great qualities but have gone unrecognized by award committees.
TE 842 - Elementary Reading Instruction and Assessment
Instructor: Erin Wibbens
This class focused on the current best practices for teaching and assessing student’s reading abilities in a number of areas. One of the most influential projects for me in this course was the final Student Case Study. The case study provided me the opportunity to assess a given student’s detriments in reading using a number of assessments we had studied throughout the course, and then create/plan remedial lessons to target my instruction to the needs of that specific child in order to help him or her improve. Additionally, we all participated in small group book clubs in which we read about and discussed the importance of word study, vocabulary, and comprehension instruction in the classroom and discussed way to improve our teaching of these necessary skills in our various classrooms, grade levels, and subject areas.
Instructor: Erin Wibbens
This class focused on the current best practices for teaching and assessing student’s reading abilities in a number of areas. One of the most influential projects for me in this course was the final Student Case Study. The case study provided me the opportunity to assess a given student’s detriments in reading using a number of assessments we had studied throughout the course, and then create/plan remedial lessons to target my instruction to the needs of that specific child in order to help him or her improve. Additionally, we all participated in small group book clubs in which we read about and discussed the importance of word study, vocabulary, and comprehension instruction in the classroom and discussed way to improve our teaching of these necessary skills in our various classrooms, grade levels, and subject areas.
Fall 2013
CEP 813 - Electronic Portfolios
Instructor: Patrick Dickson
In this class, Professor Dickson opened my eyes to the many ways that technology can be used to showcase your classroom; share who you are as a teacher with students, parents, and colleagues; and incorporate technology as both a resource, form of communication, and platform for displaying student work. I spent the duration of this course learning about the different forms of technology available to me for web development as well as how to use them to create a professional classroom webpage. I was provided the opportunity to learn from the works of other teachers and view their web pages. Lastly, through the guidance and support of Professor Dickson, I was able to create my own classroom webpage with many features that my students and parents can use, and which I am very proud of. (A link to my classroom webpage can be found at the top of this page under the heading “My Classroom.”)
Instructor: Patrick Dickson
In this class, Professor Dickson opened my eyes to the many ways that technology can be used to showcase your classroom; share who you are as a teacher with students, parents, and colleagues; and incorporate technology as both a resource, form of communication, and platform for displaying student work. I spent the duration of this course learning about the different forms of technology available to me for web development as well as how to use them to create a professional classroom webpage. I was provided the opportunity to learn from the works of other teachers and view their web pages. Lastly, through the guidance and support of Professor Dickson, I was able to create my own classroom webpage with many features that my students and parents can use, and which I am very proud of. (A link to my classroom webpage can be found at the top of this page under the heading “My Classroom.”)
Spring 2014
TE 846 - Accommodating Differences in Literacy Learners
Instructor: Dongbo Zhang
Whether you are a teacher of math, science, social studies, language arts, or an elementary teacher of all subjects, reading is something that students of all ages need to be able to do well in order to be successful. This class, while fulfilling the state reading requirement for Michigan teachers, also provided me with the opportunity to analyze and reflect upon the multitude of challenges that many students face when learning to read. I was able to learn many strategies to help my students overcome these challenges whether they are learning disabilities, English language barriers, or simply a lack of support at home to foster necessary reading skills.
Instructor: Dongbo Zhang
Whether you are a teacher of math, science, social studies, language arts, or an elementary teacher of all subjects, reading is something that students of all ages need to be able to do well in order to be successful. This class, while fulfilling the state reading requirement for Michigan teachers, also provided me with the opportunity to analyze and reflect upon the multitude of challenges that many students face when learning to read. I was able to learn many strategies to help my students overcome these challenges whether they are learning disabilities, English language barriers, or simply a lack of support at home to foster necessary reading skills.
Summer 2014
TE 848 - Writing Instruction and Assessment
Instructor: Amy Croel-Perrien
This class not only provided me the opportunity to work on my own writing in the areas of narrative and poetry, it also offered me the chance to consider why writing is so difficult for many students. I was able to use my own struggles in writing to better learn how to help my students as they face similar challenges. Throughout the course readings I learned of many strategies to support elementary and middle level writers in creating, revising, and improving their writing works. Additionally, I had the opportunity to study the criteria for effective writing and create my own writing rubrics to use in the classroom.
Instructor: Amy Croel-Perrien
This class not only provided me the opportunity to work on my own writing in the areas of narrative and poetry, it also offered me the chance to consider why writing is so difficult for many students. I was able to use my own struggles in writing to better learn how to help my students as they face similar challenges. Throughout the course readings I learned of many strategies to support elementary and middle level writers in creating, revising, and improving their writing works. Additionally, I had the opportunity to study the criteria for effective writing and create my own writing rubrics to use in the classroom.
ED 870 - Capstone Seminar
Instructor: Matt Koehler
In this, the culminating class for the MAED (Master of Arts in Education) program, we planned and created the online web portfolio which you are viewing now. This online portfolio provides a modern way to inform colleagues, future employers, my students and their parents, etc. a chance to get to know me on a professional level. It is a way of using technology to showcase who I am as a teacher and learner. Additionally, this class provided me the opportunity to reflect upon what I’ve learned throughout my Master’s journey, consider each class I’ve taken individually and what I will take away from it, and prepare to apply it to my future teaching.
Instructor: Matt Koehler
In this, the culminating class for the MAED (Master of Arts in Education) program, we planned and created the online web portfolio which you are viewing now. This online portfolio provides a modern way to inform colleagues, future employers, my students and their parents, etc. a chance to get to know me on a professional level. It is a way of using technology to showcase who I am as a teacher and learner. Additionally, this class provided me the opportunity to reflect upon what I’ve learned throughout my Master’s journey, consider each class I’ve taken individually and what I will take away from it, and prepare to apply it to my future teaching.