Edd Personal Statement

My motivation for pursuing graduate studies specifically at University of Maryland is because of the rigor and quality of instruction from the College of Education that I received firsthand. I had the privilege of undertaking the Elementary Education program as an undergraduate at University of Maryland. The program proved to be rigorous with high expectations from professors, mentors, and supervisors. Although the demands of the program were high, I was fully equipped with the knowledge and skills

My purpose for seeking a Master’s of Arts in Teaching at Relay Graduate School of Education is to expand my knowledge on new ways to integrate academic theory and research on teaching. In addition, Relay Graduate School of Education will provide me with a deeper level of understanding, allowing me to modify a curriculum, adjust my teaching methods for low-income families, and to improve the quality of education beyond the classroom. I feel that the significance of gaining research skills is imperative to expand my want to become a lifelong learner as well as, developing intellectual self-actualization as I prepare for a career in Education.

With my twenty years of experience in Early Childhood Education, I’ve collaborated with teachers in developing and implementing ideas to support student’s academic performance. I performed student’s academic assessments. I complied and maintained daily logs based on student's level of progression. In addition, I logged in financial statements, received inventory items and organized inventory for distribution of class materials needed for instruction. I’ve provided effective parental support with the families to develop and implement teaching techniques to enhance their child's growth development and knowledge of school readiness skills. My resume contains additional information on my experience and

When I was gaining my Bachelor’s Degree, the key statement throughout my journey through the education program was “I will continue to be a lifelong learner.” As I finalized this program I have reached this goal, and this will continue throughout my journey as a teacher as I become involved with more and more school and district based county activities through which I can use the theories, methods, and strategies I have learned throughout this program. In general, it is best, as Goldhammer (69) stresses, to avoid critical dissection of teaching. Too much criticism and

Modeling is crucial for teacher leadership. In my twenty-three years as an educator, I have learned that the best way for me to teach others is by first modeling the practices myself. As a teacher leader, it is important that I model sound, professional characteristics to gain the respect of others. I have to maintain a positive, inclusive environment for all stakeholders of the learning community. This begins in the classroom by using scientifically-based, differentiated instruction to meet the needs of diverse populations of learners. In addition, this modeling continues to fellow colleagues and administrators by demonstrating a passion for educating myself, as well as others.

Rhonda Haus started her career in the secondary school system where she has seen and been a part of many changes. She gave a unique perspective into Regina Public Schools and highlight the systems specific goals along with their successes and failures. Underlining it all was her message to put the students and to provide the best education for all kids. These goals were measurable and attainable. Kaylan Gazda spoke about the elementary school system and her experience in a variety of grades and schools. Her time in an experimental classroom and in another country provided many challenges. However, those challenges and obstacles made her a better teacher for her current job in a split classroom. Jordan McFarlan was able to provide insight in process of building a new program in a high school from the ground up. He was able to list challenges he faced and ways to respond to those challenges. Jesamy Unger presented what is was it is like to be a student taking education and the lessons she learned throughout her journey. She gave us useful advice for our field experiences and the tip that not everything you need to know about being a teacher will be taught in school. Every member of the panel highlighted you need to make relationships and networks with students, colleagues and even

As an educator, Carolyn’s passion and determination stemmed from life experiences and was fueled by dedication to her family. Despite the hardship of having to drop out of school her junior year of high school to take on the resposibility of earning a living to support her family, Carolyn was persistent in obtaining an education. Through the GED program she was determined to receive her diploma while working two jobs as a teeneager. After the birth of her first child, she knew that she needed to further her education to become a role model for her daughter. The desire to provide a better life and become an inspiration is evident as she continued on receiving multiple degrees, all the while continuing to hold down a job, and reaching the zenith after obtaining her PhD in Educational Leadership.

Understanding the importance of a family-school partnership is essential in order for school districts and families with children to grow and strive. If an imbalance occurs within any of the various parts that play a key role, difficulties will rise to the surface. Several of these roles include: communication, decision making, volunteering, and learning and parenting at home. All of these factors must work together in order to create a successful school environment in which children are able to learn and strive. When a school is successful in fulfilling each of these roles, there are several benefits. These benefits include: better positive attitudes toward school, higher achievements, better attendance, higher graduation rates, an increase in enrollment rates in post-secondary education, and overall better schools to attend (University of West Virginia).

For the second practicum, I was asked to be engaged for fifty hours on several administrative activities. For this assignment, I completed the following five activities: (1) working on the parent, student, and teacher handbook, (2) pre-interviewing possible teacher candidates, (3) observing a safety meeting, (4) data analysis, and (5) participating in a board meeting. This segment of the paper will discuss these aforementioned activities along with a reflection on these activities.

In the realm of the world we call college, there are many different paths one can take. When choosing the path of being an education major, one begins to see the benefits of their choice long before they see their degree. The field experience that is required with the courses one has to take for this major allow students to dip their toes into their field and get real life experience before entering the real world. This semester, I had the opportunity of working at Oasis Tutoring Center. While tutoring at this center, I was not only able to learn more about my ability to teach, but also connect these experiences to the psychology of education.

I am part of the Research and Planning Department. I am an Educational Technology Support Specialist in the office of Learning Technology. My job is to create professional development that empowers teachers to leverage technology to create student-centered learning environment. I absolutely love my job. I feel that it places me in a position to facilitate real change in educational environments. I am pursuing the Instructional Leadership certificate so that I may learn more about curriculum development and the in and outs of school administration. I am looking forward to this class and others and am curious about what lies

Through the completion of my graduate program in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, I have gained an immense amount of knowledge and a plethora of skills which I have used and found valuable in my seventh grade English classroom. My outlook on student learning and my empathy towards students has also been positively affected by the program. These learning opportunities have led me to become a better educator both inside and outside of the classroom.

ECA is my future. Enrolling in the ECA program at EMU is a huge opportunity to me and its one I am willing to take. Partaking in this program is something my family and I have been looking forward to since fifth grade. I was deeply interested in it so much that I didn’t just go to the meeting in 9th grade I went in 8th grade too, therefore I could be even more educated about the program.

For the past five years, I’ve been lucky enough to be mentored by Dr. Loretta Harvey, who is the epitome of a student centered educator. When I was a sophmore in the education program, she alone noticed the trouble I had contacting my education advisor and vowed to keep me out of the proverbial “crack” I was about to slip into. Since that day, she has made it her mission to help me succeed. This is not a small accomplishment as I’m a soon to be language arts educator, and, being a science methods saint, she knows little about the content requirements. Most individuals in her position would have shrugged this responsibility. This only adds an underscore to her level of dedication as she’s had to expand her horizons and make connections with others on my behalf. As I write this letter, I’m weeks from my bachelors degree in English education; this would be a feat impossible without the continued guidance of Dr. Harvey.

This week I had the pleasure to interview Barlow School principal Mr. Aponte. We discussed, analyzed and evaluated his school’s professional development program. Through the conversation we were able to discuss all the requirements that need to be taken in consideration when creating a PD program. We were also able to analyze his role as instructional leader, teachers’ role, the alignments of the PD to the Continuous Plan, the need of research based for instruction, as well as delivering and evaluating of the PD. I was surprise to learn that in there are many parts of the professional development program puzzle. Indeed, I learned that in order to create better learning opportunities for all learners, the school instructional leaders need