Summer Checklist

In response to Kallas' blog after I graduate, I plan on attending Tarrant County College for a year in the fall. This is what I need to do in the summer to get ready for my first year in college:

• Submit my required supporting documents (final transcript, scores for TSI exemption, and residency documentation)
• Receive my notice of acceptance 
• Plan out my payment of tuition and fees
• Take my required placement tests (TSI)
• Visit my Academic Advisor for test scores
• Finalize my tuition and fee payments
• Register for classes 
• Get my final class schedule

What I am most looking forward to in the next year is when I finally start attending my classes at college because that means that I am one step closer to my dream of becoming a teacher.  Everything I do academically in the next year will put me one step ahead and closer to my dream career.

Here is a different version of a college checklist if you are planning on attending a college with dorms on campus.

Now, are you ready for college?

Teacher of the Year

After reading about the National Teacher of the Year: Jeff Charbonneau and what has inspired him to become a successful teacher, I have thought about what qualities he might possess. One of the qualities I believe Mr Charbonneau must possess is patience. Teaching science, especially physics, requires a lot of skills in math; one of the subjects lacking in mastery.

If I had the opportunity to ask Mr Charbonneau any question I would ask him what it requires to become a great teacher. I would ask him how he became all that he is today, and what it would take for me to get there.

Here is a website that has the Top 12 Qualities teachers should have.

If I could give advice to the future Education and Training interns in just six words, I would say: "Get involved and give 100% everyday."

In the year 2030, if I receive the honor of being selected National Teacher of the Year, I would let everyone know that the way to help all students succeed in your classroom is to make sure they are all involved. Student involvement is probably one of the most important things in a classroom. If your students are not involved, they will end up being bored and your lessons will not appeal to them.

This blog is in response to Kallas' blog.

Should Entrance Requirements to Teacher Education Programs Be Raised?

In response to Kallas' Blog, I agree with Mollie Miller's point of view. I believe that keeping the entrance requirements the same, but making the programs a lot harder and more involving will make sure that only the best teachers will be coming out of there.

The college I would like to attend, Tarleton State University, the entrance requirements for the College of Education include a minimum GPA of 2.6 in all courses. You also can not have a grade lower than a C in professional education coursework. They also require the completion of 12 hours of English and good moral character.

The requirements for the College of Education at Tarleton are very reasonable requirements. The entrance requirements will make me strive to do the best that I can do in college. I believe that keeping the entrance requirements as they are, but making the course more rigorous will make sure that only the best teachers are coming out of any College of Education program.

Here is a video from the Texas Christian University's College of Education.

ER Commentary

Here is my commentary on the book study.

Classes All Schools Should Teach, But Don't

One of the classes I believe that all schools should teach, but don't is personal finance. If this was a real class, more people would know how to save their money and be better prepared for life after graduation. Having a personal finance class available to students would make them have the ability to save money and know what they should be putting it towards. Having a job would actually become a benefit for these students instead of a burden.

What schools do not teach students is how to save money for bills or even how to have money when they are on their own, and having this class offered would aid them in knowing how to be prepared for that.

My Plans for the New Year!

In response to Kallas' Blog, my plans for the new year are as follows:

• I will get accepted to Tarleton State University by applying and filling out my scholarship application by the deadline, February 15.
• I will get a better job before summer by applying on my days off.
• I will try to bring my grade up in AP English to at least an 80 before the end of second semester.

Achieving these goals will help me a lot in the long run. It will set me up for a better future after graduation and on towards college. Having a better job will give me more time to prepare for college, and will also help me to save up some money that I could put towards tuition. 

Here are some tips on how to make reasonable goals and achieve them: Goal Setting

 

Below is a video of how to achieve your goals:

 

Reframe This Situation

In response to Scenario 1 about missing the bus and Kallas' Blog the first thing you should have done was contact your teacher. The only way to get to your field site is by bus, not by someone else's car. Another thing you should do is be honest about what happened. You should not ask another intern to sign you in and out of your field site. The number one thing you should do if you are ever in this situation is contact your teacher!