When I began my journey in the Michigan State University’s Master of Arts in Education (MAED) program, I had several goals in mind that still hold true today as I near the completion of this degree. I wanted to be a leader in education, continuously expand my skills as a special education teacher, and provide unique and valuable learning experiences for my students. These goals will always be present in my educational career. Through my experience in the MAED program, I have identified an additional goal of being a strong advocate for my students and their families. Firstly, I wanted to be a leader in education. When I began, I did not know exactly what that would look like. However, I knew that I wanted to do all that I could to improve my teaching methods and strategies. This has not changed. I still want to enhance my skills as an educator. I continue to learn each and everyday from professional journals, educational articles, teacher blogs, daily experiences and, most of all, my students. Learning is a continuous process and one that I will never shy away from. I have learned to appreciate and, what is more, seek out, constructive criticism and feedback. I know that this will only help me to grow as an educator. In my future, I would like to further fulfill this goal by embarking on administration in education.
My second goal was to continuously expand my skills as a special education teacher. I feel that this will be a goal for the entirety of my professional career. My Bachelor’s degree is in Special Education for the Visually Impaired. I learned a great deal about visual impairments but, as I encountered many students with additional needs in my classroom, I knew I needed to expand my knowledge. I will always be looking for the most effective ways to teach my students in order to meet their unique learning need and be a valuable resource to my colleagues and families.
My last goal was to provide unique and valuable learning experiences for my students. This is still a goal of mine and I strive for this each day. I recognize that all students learn differently and that lectures and note-taking are not the only way to teach. Students benefit from the integration of technology, music, role-playing, sketching, etc. Education should be fun and creative so that students are motivated and engaged.
Finally, I want to be a strong advocate for my students and their families. I want to be a reliable resource and someone that they can depend on. In addition, I want to encourage my students to be their own advocate. I want to support my students and help them develop courage to be independent.