I Was Here
-A Professional Goals Reflection-
By: Lindsey Ferstle
“I wanna do something that matters
Say something different
Something that sets the whole world on its ear
I wanna do something better
With the time I’ve been given
And I wanna try
To touch a few hearts in this life
Leave nothing less
Than something that says “I was here”
~Lady Antebellum
Lady
Antebellum’s inspirational lyrics to I
Was Here put my personal goals, beliefs, and desires for my career as a
teacher to music. As an educator, I have
dedicated my life to making every lesson count. I have made choices to teach and learn in
unique ways to be different and better.
In 2009, after teaching second grade in Atlanta, Georgia for two consecutive years, I felt that my next professional step was to complete my Master of Arts in Education from my Alma Mater, Michigan State University. I knew that in order for me to grow into the teacher that I wanted to become I needed to gain more knowledge and understanding of literacy education.
When applying for Michigan State’s Masters Program in 2009, I was given the task to write a Goal Statement. I was asked to create a set of goals that I would like to accomplish by the completion of the program. In my professional statement, I outlined the following four goals:
1. Develop a deeper understanding of teaching literacy to all learners
2. Continue to discover, develop, and incorporate new ideas for differentiated instruction
3. Focus on integrating technology into daily classroom instruction
4. Continue to experience the personal satisfaction, success, accomplishment, and fulfillment in regards to my achievement within my career
After actively engaging in twelve Masters Classes, I feel confident to proclaim that I have achieved a new level of understanding and confidence in my teaching and learning. I have learned new ways to teach literacy in order to meet individual needs, challenge learners with higher levels thinking, and differentiate curriculum to encompass different learning styles.
One of my biggest takeaways has been my understanding of Universal Design for Learning. UDL has changed the way I teach, beginning with the way I plan lessons. I have also learned innovative ways to accommodate, modify, and differentiate my teaching of curricula.
Before my Masters I was able to work with technology, but I never felt confident on how to incorporate it into daily lessons. Now, my students use technology everyday! They create grammar posters using Wordle, PowerPoint’s of nonfiction research projects, use Destiny for child-friendly research, and blog about their daily learning. My courses have given me new experiences with child-friendly web technologies and I was able to apply it into my practice.
Throughout my learning at Michigan State, I believe that I have used my time to do something that matters. I have put into practice my new learning, which has allowed me to make a difference in children’s lives. My accomplishment of my professional goals is proof that I was here.
In 2009, after teaching second grade in Atlanta, Georgia for two consecutive years, I felt that my next professional step was to complete my Master of Arts in Education from my Alma Mater, Michigan State University. I knew that in order for me to grow into the teacher that I wanted to become I needed to gain more knowledge and understanding of literacy education.
When applying for Michigan State’s Masters Program in 2009, I was given the task to write a Goal Statement. I was asked to create a set of goals that I would like to accomplish by the completion of the program. In my professional statement, I outlined the following four goals:
1. Develop a deeper understanding of teaching literacy to all learners
2. Continue to discover, develop, and incorporate new ideas for differentiated instruction
3. Focus on integrating technology into daily classroom instruction
4. Continue to experience the personal satisfaction, success, accomplishment, and fulfillment in regards to my achievement within my career
After actively engaging in twelve Masters Classes, I feel confident to proclaim that I have achieved a new level of understanding and confidence in my teaching and learning. I have learned new ways to teach literacy in order to meet individual needs, challenge learners with higher levels thinking, and differentiate curriculum to encompass different learning styles.
One of my biggest takeaways has been my understanding of Universal Design for Learning. UDL has changed the way I teach, beginning with the way I plan lessons. I have also learned innovative ways to accommodate, modify, and differentiate my teaching of curricula.
Before my Masters I was able to work with technology, but I never felt confident on how to incorporate it into daily lessons. Now, my students use technology everyday! They create grammar posters using Wordle, PowerPoint’s of nonfiction research projects, use Destiny for child-friendly research, and blog about their daily learning. My courses have given me new experiences with child-friendly web technologies and I was able to apply it into my practice.
Throughout my learning at Michigan State, I believe that I have used my time to do something that matters. I have put into practice my new learning, which has allowed me to make a difference in children’s lives. My accomplishment of my professional goals is proof that I was here.