Allyson Henes

When I began my Master’s program two years ago, I came into the course unknown and unsure of what to expect. Throughout my studies at Michigan State, I have embarked on many courses that provided me with endless information and ideas. These tools have been able to aid in my efforts to become the best teacher I can be to my students. At the beginning of each school year, I set goals for myself that I hope to accomplish by the end of the year. These goals allow me to continue to grow and learn as an educator. One of the greatest tools as an educator is the gift of knowledge and I plan on using this to the best of my ability.

 

One goal that I have is integrating more technology in my classroom. I am very lucky to be at a school that provides me with endless amount of technology that is available for myself as well as my students. This youtube video provides good ideas as to why technology should be used in the classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzi2RIt8_nk. My classroom is equipped with a promethean board. This tool provides a lot of extra hands-on ideas for the classroom. My goal is to become more familiar with this tool. I want to be able to use it during math centers and allow my students to use the board in groups. With so much technology available today, it is important to learn and grasp the new material that is available. Towards the end of the school year, I allowed my students one-on-one time with the iPads. They really enjoyed this time and used it to play educational games such as SpellingCity. In looking forward to the upcoming school year, I want to integrate iPads earlier on in my classroom.

 

Another goal that I have is continue my education through professional development. So much has changed between when I graduated college and where I am now as an educator. It is important to always learn about the newest ideas and “fads”. These classes provide new ideas that I can bring back into the classroom. It is important to not get stuck into old habits year after year. I am attending a two day professional development this July on how to create a fun and learning environment in the classroom. Dr. Jean is the woman in charge of the seminar and her website provides endless amounts of information: www.drjean.org. I am looking forward to this program and seeing what ideas and concepts I can learn from it. I also am glad that it is during the summer. Many times in the past, I attend professional development then lack/forget to bring the ideas back into my classroom. I get so caught up in returning to ungraded papers and assignments that the ideas get lost. In connection with attending professional developments, I want to focus on using the ideas from the classes in my classroom.

 

Lastly, I want to become more familiar with my Surface Pro that I received at the end of the year. My school was gifted with these tools for all teachers and administration. I am a Mac girl at heart so I am completely unfamiliar with the potential of the computer. I was able to take my Surface Pro home this summer to “play” around with. This tool can allow me to create PowerPoints and games that I can use in my classroom. I want to have a firm understanding of how to use it before the beginning of the school year. In looking online, Microsoft website provides help for beginner learners like myself: http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support/getting-started/get-started-with-surface-pro-3?os=windows-10.  feel very lucky that I am able to use this and don’t want to waste this opportunity of the potential that it has. I plan on researching ideas and understanding all the components of the Surface Pro before the upcoming school year begins.

 

I think as a teacher it is important to set goals each year. It allows you to strive for better and to keep up with the ever-evolving world. Technology is always changing and provides endless ideas for students as well as teachers. I hope to look back on my teaching career and feel like I did the best I could as an educator. In order for this to happen, I hope for my goals for this year and the years to come to be met. Luckily, I teach in an environment that is a positive atmosphere where my colleagues and I support one another’s goals. One of my favorite quotes by Henry Ford is this “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.” I hope I can stay young forever.