The Transformation of Goals
Shannon Haines
Shannon Haines
Looking back at my Personal Statement from when I applied for my Graduate Study at Michigan State University in August 2007, I realize that a lot has changed. I was all about what I had accomplished. It was a “look at me” list right at the beginning noting my academic honors. At this point, I realize that while those are important accomplishments, they don’t really show the “real me”. It’s not about awards I can win. It’s about what I can do with the students in my classroom. They are the reason I’m doing what I do. It’s not for me, but for them.
Reading through that statement, the word “I” stood out to me. Again, it was about I, me, Shannon Haines, not the students I was learning to teach. Going through this program has showed me to put my focus on the students and teaching and showed me ways to get that information and love of learning out there and transferred to those students.
The big dream of mine was that I was going to go out in the world and make a difference. I was going to teach those kids what they need to know to be successful. Little did I know that they have a lot to teach me also. Today, students and technology go hand in hand. There isn’t a day that goes by where a student doesn’t have to be reminded to leave their iPod or phone in their locker. There also isn’t a day where the student doesn’t help me out with my ELMO, or a website, or even the TI-73 calculator. What this shows me is that students are sometimes much more knowledgeable than we give them credit for. In addition to time on the job, this program has showed me that by taking what the students know and expanding on it, not only does it get them learning, it also keeps them engaged. They are working with and building on something they already know about and they love that!
While there has been and continues to be changes in statewide mandated testing, the basic precept is the same. These students need to be best prepared for the “real world”. So often, a student will ask “why do I have to learn this – when will I use it?”. At this point, I can now tell them, give them examples, show them, give them connections. It’s not just because the State of Michigan says I have to teach it to you. It’s about them. “What do you want to do when you graduate?” “What are your dreams?” “Do you realize how Math fits into those dreams?” Yes, the statewide testing and accountability is a big piece of our daily curriculum, but those every day, real world examples are what get the kids involved, what they know and care about, and what they are willing to learn more about.
That said, in essence, my goals have remained the same. I still want to make the world a better place. I still want to teach students what they need to be successful. I still have big dreams for my students. But now I have realized that it’s not about me, it’s about them and I will make any changes and adaptations and adjustments necessary to accommodate their learning so that they are the ones who want to be and ultimately are successful!
Reading through that statement, the word “I” stood out to me. Again, it was about I, me, Shannon Haines, not the students I was learning to teach. Going through this program has showed me to put my focus on the students and teaching and showed me ways to get that information and love of learning out there and transferred to those students.
The big dream of mine was that I was going to go out in the world and make a difference. I was going to teach those kids what they need to know to be successful. Little did I know that they have a lot to teach me also. Today, students and technology go hand in hand. There isn’t a day that goes by where a student doesn’t have to be reminded to leave their iPod or phone in their locker. There also isn’t a day where the student doesn’t help me out with my ELMO, or a website, or even the TI-73 calculator. What this shows me is that students are sometimes much more knowledgeable than we give them credit for. In addition to time on the job, this program has showed me that by taking what the students know and expanding on it, not only does it get them learning, it also keeps them engaged. They are working with and building on something they already know about and they love that!
While there has been and continues to be changes in statewide mandated testing, the basic precept is the same. These students need to be best prepared for the “real world”. So often, a student will ask “why do I have to learn this – when will I use it?”. At this point, I can now tell them, give them examples, show them, give them connections. It’s not just because the State of Michigan says I have to teach it to you. It’s about them. “What do you want to do when you graduate?” “What are your dreams?” “Do you realize how Math fits into those dreams?” Yes, the statewide testing and accountability is a big piece of our daily curriculum, but those every day, real world examples are what get the kids involved, what they know and care about, and what they are willing to learn more about.
That said, in essence, my goals have remained the same. I still want to make the world a better place. I still want to teach students what they need to be successful. I still have big dreams for my students. But now I have realized that it’s not about me, it’s about them and I will make any changes and adaptations and adjustments necessary to accommodate their learning so that they are the ones who want to be and ultimately are successful!