Creating a Culture of "Can"

Does the post title catch your attention?  I hope so.  I don't see many followers on my blog and I need and appreciate your input pro or con.

I felt the information shared in this blog is aligned with what each one of us in this group is trying to develop as productive changes in our education system for each student's success.

I sure like the model..."show me, help me, let me."

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/creating-a-culture-of-can-terrell-heick

Mentorship: Teaching the Teachers

Interesting article pertaining to my focus and critical issue in sharing my previous teaching experiences and expertise I had acquired throughout the years from many professionals.  I have found out that the number of students I mentor and supervised during my elem. career was a lot of work, time and planning, but the outcome to improve myself and learn from my student teacher was a win-win for my individual students.   In the case of a practicum or clinical teacher the classroom teacher takes on additional time to coach, direct and give feedback from given assignments.

Part of my role at the higher education level is to find schools that have an administrator and highly qualified instructor willing to take a risk and give the upcoming candidate a chance to learn what it takes to be prepared for their role as an educator in the 21st century.

I'd appreciate your feedback if you have been a mentor, a host classroom to a practicum or clinical student teacher.  Feel free to express pros and cons.

Please take a look at this link.

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/teach-the-teachers-shira-loewenstein

I'm thankful for the F2F structure to our masters class last week.   It was a new structure to be upstairs and sharing as individuals.  What a nice way to start class by taking meaningful time to hear each of us share our joys and to learn more about each one another.  PRICELESS!!

The coaching I received from Mark last Wed. forced me to evaluate the things that I need to improve as a director of the elem. ed. department at CCC.  There's a lot more to it than just teaching methods classes.  I'm taking a lot of pride and responsibility to the outcome for each student in our department.  Thanks, Mark, for getting me back on track when my mind is going so many different directions with my goals for higher education students.  It's a whole different exciting chapter instructing and preparing some of our future teachers.

One thing I've accomplished was to talked to Dr. Allen and received a detailed plan of my teaching responsibilities for January and second semester.  The beauty is the allowance to use what is in place the first go around and then build my own syllabus to reflex best practices for higher education majors.

One of my assignments is to teach Educational Psychology.  Any of you recent graduates that would like to share your experience in higher ed. with this subject, please blog to me about it.  Mark wanted to know last week if I was familiar with Google Scholar and I wasn't, so that one suggestion has been helpful.  I'm sure most of you are aware, but if not take a look.

Here's a snapshot of this site:
http://www.psyedu.ru/eng/journal/2008/2/Mitina.phtml

Never say it won't happen to me

I think there was another reason for the nasty fall I took on the evening of Oct. 23rd other than to experience the pain of facial fractures and learn I would need surgery to put my left eye orbit and cheek (olfactory) bones back as plates and screws.  Knowing the major surgery I was going through on the outside of my eye and the inner gum/cheek flesh was the only choice I had or suffer the consequence of life without these bones on the left side of my face.  I know what I've been through is minor in comparison to many others, but it has changed my life in many ways since that evening.  It took 5 seconds to decide whether I had suffered a severe brain injury or instant death from the impact, but I believe God let me know that you don't take anything for granted and never forget to have things in order each day of your life. 

My husband was my knight in shining armor throughout this entire ordeal,  McPherson's ER did an exceptional job when we arrived, no words can show my appreciation to Dr. Gaddert, Dr. Garcia and all the other staff that assisted with my surgery.  My left temple, eye and cheek were severely damaged, but with up to date technology and exemplary surgical staff I'm getting back to the new normal.  This reminds me of the importance of our education system and the powerful influence we have on our future professional.  I wonder who influenced these surgeons to dedicate their lives to repair someone face in my case?  Who work with microscopic instruments to repair the smallest or bones and avoids destroying your facial nerves.

During the first few days of my recovery it forced me to be quiet, which gave me the time to reflect my decision to take advantage of qualifying for early retirement from the public system to make the decision to become a college professor and enroll in this first graduate masters program at the age of 56 years old.  What I found was the love, patience and graciousness of Central Christian College and my graduate instructors and classmates at MC.   During this ordeal I have confirmed my belief that I have made the right direction with my professional change and understand the sacrifice with my family time (grandma of 4...ages 20 mts. to 6 years) in order to be of better service to my college students.  I did listen, Mark,  and I'm using my list to guide my project.  It might not be anything earth shattering, but that will come later.