As July comes to a close, I am currently sitting back on a chair in my bedroom at the AO. How has it come to be that I am here? There have been many events over the past 8-10 years that have affected my path.
I have been blessed beyond measure and am in full acknowledging that it is the Lord who has brought me to where I am. From growing up with amazing parents who have supported me (in their own unique way!) and have let me stray out on my own decisions, which I do not regret any decision I've made as I am molded by every choice I make. I've made lifelong friends in high school who I know will be by my side and me by theirs no matter the size of the fight. Off to MSU where I spent 3.5 years getting my bachelor's in Math Education and minor in Athletic coaching where I have made countless friends who will never leave my side as well.
I know I was not the average college student. I didn't go out and get drunk, nor did I ever really study more than I needed. I played 5 years of volleyball and was able to visit 4 major cities around the U.S.A. for national tournaments. I played in countless intramural sports and spent countless hours of my life playing video games with my best friends. There are many more memories and events that have shaped me into who I am and where I am at currently in my life.
Over the past two years, I have started down the next path in my life which is teaching and coaching. I student taught 8th grade at Dakota Meadows and had a blast. I'll never forget the first time standing up in front of the room. I was a nervous wreck for about 5 seconds, then remembered I am ready for this and many memories and moments were created over those next 4 months until the middle of December when it came to an end. I then spent the rest of the year subbing in all different grades throughout Mankato from Kindergarten up to the 12th grade. I had a blast doing this as I was able to see different age levels and I began to realize that 8th grade right now is an amazingly perfect fit. Little did I know that I would be spending the next year as a full-time teacher in my own room! I can remember sitting in my apartment last July and wondering "Will my homeroom like me?" "What will I do when I can't rely upon Ethan to take over the classroom?" "How will I be able to get students to trust in me?" "Will I be awesome or suck?" Orientation night came in August and I was so nervous standing in front of a room of 30+ parents and my future homeroom. I was very thankful that the parents made it easy for me and seemed to back me right away. Again, little did I know that I would be molded into the man I am from this classroom #229. There were lots of ups throughout the year and the occasional bumps and errors that I made. I will never forget that first year, nor the students who I had in my classes. The lowest point over the past 10 years came on May 26th as I was pulled out from my homeroom, as the students worked on their boats for boat races, by the principal and she informed me that I was not going to be rehired. I was literally stunned and time seemed to stand still, I didn't know what to say or do. I sat in that chair and tears, one-by-one, began to stir up in my eyes and began to drip down my cheeks. I was caught off guard, "Is this really happening?" "I had other teachers backing me 110%, how?" I was crushed and the principal left me alone. All I could think about was how much I loved what I had and millions of moments flew by my head from the previous year in mere seconds. I had never experienced such devastation in my life and I had to regroup to go teach in 10 minutes. As I left the principal's office, I knew I was a mess and couldn't stand the thought of what was happening. I walked through the hall to my classroom, holding tears back but with a face that showed it all. I gave instruction to the class to create questions and I quickly sat at my chair and tried to look busy and not let the students know, but they know me too well and probably knew instantly that I wasn't coming back. Getting through the rest of the day was miserable and facing other teachers coming up to console me was even worst. I expect that I bring my best in everything that I do and I felt that I had failed myself and my colleagues. The next day wasn't much better as I knew I had to explain to the students that I didn't get fired, but rather was being replaced by a returning teacher. Mr. Schoenberger also was informing the students so they got the correct message. I was surprised to see some of the faces of students who were sad, as I thought some of them absolutely despised me. It was great to hear their respect for me and some of them even started a petition to get me to come back. The next 8 days of class were bittersweet as I cherished each of those days. The final day came and went. I'll never forget being able to introduce "My Best Homeroom Ever" to a crowd of parents and families as I didn't have a list of names, but like everything in my life, it turned out just fine. I still tear up thinking back over the year that was and think, How did I ever get here?
It is the road of life. I walk the road in complete and blind faith because I know that God will always hold onto my hand, never letting go. I walk the road attacking life and living it to the fullest and bringing glory to His name and bestowing love upon others in hope that from me they might see just a glimpse of Him. There will be many ups and many downs, but for every moment and memory, I am molded into what I am today and because of that I am thankful for opportunities.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
"For I know the plans..."
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
As this school year reaches the final quarter and I look back on what was, I am completely blown away by how blessed I have been. My first year of teaching has been pretty much perfect. The classes I teach are awesome, I enjoy every class in it's own individual way. My homeroom is beast and it will always be my first and favorite homeroom. I believe that I belong where I am at, that I am doing an amazing job and I take pride in that because of the preparation that I have had over the past 4-6 years.
I am now at the point where I'm certain I won't be back at DMMS next year and I am completely torn by this fact. I know that I am doing a great job and am in love with my classroom. I don't want to leave it. I don't want to leave Mankato. This is part of life though as even a year ago I didn't think it would be possible for me to be teaching at DMMS. I know that I can't write a story that is going to fulfill my life as much as God can write the most adventurous, most exciting story for my life. I am at an understanding that God is the God of the impossible. He can do whatever He wants, wherever He wants and however He wants. As long as I am being obedient I full well know that He'll lead me to wherever I need to go.
If He wants me in Mankato, He'll make a way for me to stay in Mankato. If my timeframe to be a teacher in Mankato was only just this year, I will praise Him and go on to wherever He wants to use me next. I will be completely sad and torn if I have to leave this city as the friends I've made, colleagues I've met and students I've affected will forever be in my heart.
"Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming." This year has been a success. I've done my best, but sadly it doesn't matter. I do not know what the future holds for me, if I'll remain in Mankato or go teach somewhere else, but I do know that I will prepare the fields for rain and trust that God will lead me to where He wants me to be.
As this school year reaches the final quarter and I look back on what was, I am completely blown away by how blessed I have been. My first year of teaching has been pretty much perfect. The classes I teach are awesome, I enjoy every class in it's own individual way. My homeroom is beast and it will always be my first and favorite homeroom. I believe that I belong where I am at, that I am doing an amazing job and I take pride in that because of the preparation that I have had over the past 4-6 years.
I am now at the point where I'm certain I won't be back at DMMS next year and I am completely torn by this fact. I know that I am doing a great job and am in love with my classroom. I don't want to leave it. I don't want to leave Mankato. This is part of life though as even a year ago I didn't think it would be possible for me to be teaching at DMMS. I know that I can't write a story that is going to fulfill my life as much as God can write the most adventurous, most exciting story for my life. I am at an understanding that God is the God of the impossible. He can do whatever He wants, wherever He wants and however He wants. As long as I am being obedient I full well know that He'll lead me to wherever I need to go.
If He wants me in Mankato, He'll make a way for me to stay in Mankato. If my timeframe to be a teacher in Mankato was only just this year, I will praise Him and go on to wherever He wants to use me next. I will be completely sad and torn if I have to leave this city as the friends I've made, colleagues I've met and students I've affected will forever be in my heart.
"Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming." This year has been a success. I've done my best, but sadly it doesn't matter. I do not know what the future holds for me, if I'll remain in Mankato or go teach somewhere else, but I do know that I will prepare the fields for rain and trust that God will lead me to where He wants me to be.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Constructed Response Assessment (KSP 619)
Discuss the advantageous and disadvantages of completion and essay items
Q: Solve the system by any method. {2x + y = 11 {x + 3y = 18.
A: (3 , 5)
Advantages of Completion problem:
1) Student gets to showcase their knowledge
2) Student learn how to think critically about a math situation.
3) As a teacher, it easily shows me which students get it or don't get it.
4) Students are graded on their work and the process of getting to the answer.
Disadvantages of Completion problem.
1) One problem can take up to 10 minutes, so can not have many on a test.
2) The problem may have to much work and focus on too many ideas instead of one focal point.
Essay questions in math need to be worded properly. I'll be using a comparison question of differentiating the uses of 'substitution' versus 'elimination'.
Q: When is it advantageous to use substitution to solve a system compared to using elimination? When is it advantageous to use elimination to solve a system compared to using substitution? Give an example of a system that you would use substitution and a system you could use elimination.
A: possible answer - It is useful to use substitution to solve a system when the system is solved for a variable. It is useful to use elimination when the terms are aligned in the two equations by columns and you can manipulate an equation to eliminate one of the variables.
My criteria for this question would be that the students write the following:
1) Mention use substitution when system solved for variable.
2) Mention use elimination if the system's terms are aligned in columns.
3) Mention manipulation of an equation in elimination.
4) Provide an example of a system that is substitution ready.
5) Provide an example of a system that is elimination ready.
Advantages of an essay question in Algebra.
1) Students need to comprehend the vocabulary.
2) Students speak their knowledge through their writing.
3) Teachers can connect written responses with math. :o! (Most students don't relate words with math.)
4) Rubric makes the question have a set of responses I am looking for.
Disadvantages of an essay question in Algebra.
1) Students may answer very vaguely.
2) Can only have 1 or 2 essay items due to time.
3) For the amount of time it takes to answer, not as many ideas or topics can be covered.
- show us an example of each
Q: Solve the system by any method. {2x + y = 11 {x + 3y = 18.
A: (3 , 5)
Advantages of Completion problem:
1) Student gets to showcase their knowledge
2) Student learn how to think critically about a math situation.
3) As a teacher, it easily shows me which students get it or don't get it.
4) Students are graded on their work and the process of getting to the answer.
Disadvantages of Completion problem.
1) One problem can take up to 10 minutes, so can not have many on a test.
2) The problem may have to much work and focus on too many ideas instead of one focal point.
Essay questions in math need to be worded properly. I'll be using a comparison question of differentiating the uses of 'substitution' versus 'elimination'.
Q: When is it advantageous to use substitution to solve a system compared to using elimination? When is it advantageous to use elimination to solve a system compared to using substitution? Give an example of a system that you would use substitution and a system you could use elimination.
A: possible answer - It is useful to use substitution to solve a system when the system is solved for a variable. It is useful to use elimination when the terms are aligned in the two equations by columns and you can manipulate an equation to eliminate one of the variables.
My criteria for this question would be that the students write the following:
1) Mention use substitution when system solved for variable.
2) Mention use elimination if the system's terms are aligned in columns.
3) Mention manipulation of an equation in elimination.
4) Provide an example of a system that is substitution ready.
5) Provide an example of a system that is elimination ready.
Advantages of an essay question in Algebra.
1) Students need to comprehend the vocabulary.
2) Students speak their knowledge through their writing.
3) Teachers can connect written responses with math. :o! (Most students don't relate words with math.)
4) Rubric makes the question have a set of responses I am looking for.
Disadvantages of an essay question in Algebra.
1) Students may answer very vaguely.
2) Can only have 1 or 2 essay items due to time.
3) For the amount of time it takes to answer, not as many ideas or topics can be covered.
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