Personal Narrative: My Decision To Teach As An Adult Learner

In my interview I had the pleasure of conversing with an individual that was not only an adult learner but now also operates as an adjunct professor for adult learners at a university. Some might not realize the parallels of adult learners and yet still there are vast differences that impact both. It was refreshing to find an individual that was able to succeed as a professional, a student and most recently a professor at the same time. My goal is to introduce you my amazing interviewee and paint a vivid picture of his journey, his growth and through his challenges along the way. Surprisingly this interaction was able to take a lot of excuses and reasons of why a person would be to busy to go back to school.

Throughout my educational experience I noticed the discrepancies with regard to the advantages my peers possessed. In high school as I began exploring what career I wished to pursue, I experienced inferiority as my classmates who’ve taken the ACT three times, visited college campuses, and have had resumes ready since the 6th grade unintentionally mocked my lack of college-readiness. However, my ignorance wasn’t intentional, my parents never reached a high school education in Mexico, they couldn’t pass down SAT tips or acquire internship opportunities for me. I realized it's vital to pick up the pace to avoid being left in the dust akin to countless others in my situation. Henceforth, this statement resonates with my experience, I interpreted

I seek to join Teach For America because I would not be where I am today if it was not for caring teachers who pushed me into the right direction and validated the idea that I can be a successful student. Growing up my mother and grandmother were both teachers, and hearing their struggles of teaching, I had vowed to never become one. When high school came I was convinced that I was going to join the military and that college was never an option. That was until I met Ms. Mudron, my English teacher who planted a seed in me that grows till this day. My answers to questions that she asked regarding our readings were nothing like the other students, yet they were not wrong, she informed me that I thought outside of the box and that is why I should

Starting in fifth grade when I first picked up a viola, orchestra has been a fundamental part of my identity in school. My first year in high school I was in the entry level orchestra, which I greatly enjoyed despite the easier music because of the community of people in the class. At the end of my freshman year, orchestra got the news that the number of orchestra classes would be cut down to two, making an entry level class, symphonic, and an audition only higher level class, chamber. Wanting a challenge, I auditioned for chamber, but I did not get in. Now, this was not the failure that came with a grand lesson There happened to be a large number of very talented violinists who had seniority over me. There also happened to be a shortage of

What I expect to learn from this experience is turning what I learned in the classroom and using it in a real world setting. In addition, using this experience to grow and develop these skills to be able to further my abilities for the future. An internship like this would use my both my passion of politics along with my degree path of political science in the confines of future career path. To learn the fundamentals of Representatives have not only impact on local policy but also the influence they have on national policy and how both local and national policies influence one another. Furthermore, I have been born in raised in Holland, MI and have always been interested in the political backbone of West Michigan. Not only would this be a

Before I interviewed Annie I knew a small deal of information on bits and pieces of her life. Annie started teaching here at RHS in the fall of 2015. I was kind of cautious around her at first, because I didn’t know what offended her or what bothered her. The first few weeks of school, it seemed like she was treating us 1st graders or Kindergarteners by giving us spelling tests with four of five letter words that 1st graders or Kindergarteners would study. I slowly got used to the fact that the tests were just to see where students were at with their grammar. Eventually I warmed up to her and we got along pretty well. Other students also warmed up to her. As 9th grade came to an end, I hoped that she would be here next year. On September 8th,

I learned many new things about topics I wasn't familar with before. I enjoyed seeing the advocacy pieces from others in the class because many people did topics I didn't know much about. Some of the projects I saw were surprising because I had no idea that these things were taking place. After learning all of this, my beliefs about human rights didn't change much, but I have deepened my understanding in what I believe in.

Growing up as a child, the only educational goal that I knew to accomplish was to successfully graduate from high school. That was the easy part. In May 2008, I graduated from Tuscaloosa County High School with an Advanced Diploma, an active member of Mu Alpha Theta, Beta Club, National Spanish Honor Society and team captain and MVP of the varsity volleyball team. My mission for education had been completed. All of those years of grade school left me exhausted and unwilling to pursue a higher education. However, life’s experiences have taught me to not settle for the bare minimum because I have the ability to reach beyond what is in front of me and excel higher.

According to Kristen Caschera, the three most significant challenges an adult learner faces are balancing school and life responsibilities, accessibility, and cost (Cashera, 2013). This is an issue in policy development because in order to run an effective educational program, it must need to meet the needs of an adult learn, focusing on

My teacher is invisible now because she drank a purple drink. It was really weird when she was teaching the only thing we could see was her glasses. So when she went somewhere we stared at her glasses to know where she was going. One time i saw her gas coming out it was disgusting. Another thing she would all the time was grade peoples papers. The only thing i could see was her pen and paper.

Nursing is not what I do, it is who I am. As an educator nurse, I am honored to help others discover this part of themselves as well. One of the most fulfilling moments for me as an educator is when a student gets it. My teaching philosophy has been shaped by several pedagogies and theories. Education should be students-centered, preparing students to deliver patient centered care. Learning should be fun, interesting, engaging, interactive, and challenging. I maintain excitement about the topic. I strive to make learning enjoyable by displaying enthusiasm and injecting humor when appropriate.

My first semester as tutor lead in Spring of 2016 went well given the obstacles our team was given throughout duration of the semester. The highlights of my success include the completion of two of three required Tutor workshops. One, which was a Tutor Talk, was unable to be completed due an unforeseen closure of the building that it was initially supposed to be held in. I had chosen the time specifically to correspond to potential hurdles that my classes would present. I tried to reschedule it twice and was unable to due to time constraints and scheduling. Additionally, it wasn’t just a matter of scheduling, but the need to reserve a room. I wasn’t sure who served as the intermediary to get a room. Furthermore, the topic was vague, I asked

The experiences and situations that one faces in life if analyzed and reflected upon can be turned to lifelong lessons and opportunities. When looking back at the beginning of this course I really did not know what to expect but, I am grateful for this experience and the lifelong lessons I was able to gain. As we discussed many times in this class one of the many struggles that teachers face is what one should or shouldn't do or what is illegal or legal. We agreed numerous times that this course should definitely be something undergraduates in the field of education should have to learn. Furthermore, I hope to one day be an administrator that understands the legal issues of the past and present and be able to apply that to my day to day interactions

As an educator, I’ve become intimately familiar with adult learners, as I have taught in the community colleges for several years with a diverse student population in Southern California. Moreover, I have been an adjunct professor at Vanguard University for nearly a decade. I have earned series of excellent evaluations from the students of Business and Nursing programs and built many years of rewarding relationships with the administrative leaders

Over the course of these eight weeks I have learned new tips to stay organized, as well as sharpening the skills I have. I would say that is a combination of all the learning activities that I benefited from. It’s been so long since I last went to school, and I am so proud of myself for returning and accomplishing my goals. This class really sets you up for success and gives you the tools necessary to achieve your goals. The most important thing I have learned while taking this course would be the discovering your strengths’ activity. I tend to always look and a completed take and see my mistakes, rather than seeing what I have accomplished. I always look at the positive side of life; but, I am my own worst cretic. By doing this activity I