Annotated Transcript
Roll over or click on the boxes below to learn about the classes I have taken while completing the Masters of Arts in Education (MAED) program at Michigan State University.
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Fall
2018
EAD 800
Dr. Steven Weiland
This course was important to my reentering the education realm- both personally as a student and professionally as a future teacher. In this course, I examined the philosophy of education, educator inquiry, out of school learning, lifelong learning, the goals of learning, and the impact of technology in the classroom. This course stretched my thinking and my point of view by looking at education through non-traditional lenses. I found the unit and the book "Truth, Beauty, and Goodness Reframed" by Howard Gardner particularly eye-opening and impacting in how I see the role of education.
Concepts of Educational Inquiry
TE 849
Ashley Johnson
Methods & Materials for Teaching Children's & Adolescent Literature
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This course focused on multiculturalism in children's and young adult literature. Through the reading of a variety of texts, ranging from picture books to novels, I examined the topics of race, immigration, sexuality, various genres, disabilities and religion. Two major themes stood out to me as we explored the books: First, regardless of an individual's background, everyone feels the need to belong and be accepted. Second, it is vital as an educator to include books representing a variety of individuals in the classroom and to examine the portrayal of groups in historical texts.
TE 855
Lisa Hawley
Teaching School Mathematics
In this course I examined the influencers of mathematics curriculum. This was the first time I have learned in detail about the progression and shifting of curriculum in the United States. I learned that mathematics curriculum has been heavily influenced by national politics, international relations, economics and corporations. These are not necessarily the best influencers for what we teach in the classroom. I also came to the positive conclusion that regardless of what curriculum is currently in place, I as an educator can influence what is taught.
(CEP = Counseling, Educational Psychology & Special Education | ED = Education | EAD = Educational Administration)
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Spring
2019
EAD 860
Dr. Steven Weiland
Concepts of a Learning Society
This course focused on goals of education, examined where learning takes place and questioned the the role of technology in learning. These topics were supplemented with texts that were about learning, but only loosely connected for formal education. For example, the texts we read were about learning to play an instrument, learning a new language, and lessons learned from a surgeon. I really enjoyed seeing the concept of "learning" in a new nontraditional light.
EAD 876
Dr. Gabriel Serna
Budgeting and Finance in Higher Edcation
This course focused on the financing, budgeting and economics of higher education. More specifically, the course covered the many market and non-market benefits that come with having a degree from an institution of higher education. I also learned about how college and university budgets work, and how financial aid is financed and distributed. Overall, the most important aspect of this class was learning to view higher education as an "investment", where rather than a simple decision.
TE 846
Dr. Laura Tortorelli
Accommodating Differences in Literacy Learners
This course focused on the "braid of literacy", which includes writing, orthography (or spelling), reading and oral language. For the first time, I learned about some of the mechanics and specifics that go into actually learning to speak, read and write. The course also focused on adapting practices and lessons in the classroom in order to ensure that all students learn the "threads" of literacy. For me, this was a great class in reviewing and reiterating the importance of all parts of literacy.
Fall
2019
EAD 870
Dr. Matthew Koehler
Capstone Seminar
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This website you are visiting is the final product of taking this course! As the title of the course suggests, this class focused on organizing and culminating the entire Masters of Arts in Education (MAED) program. I have truly enjoyed revisiting my initial goals, setting new goals and reflecting upon what I have learned. I also look forward to using this portfolio website as a resource in the future as I prepare to go back into the classroom.
CEP 802
Dr. Evelyn Oka
Developing Positive Attitudes Toward Learning
I initially found this phycology based class quite challenging. This course focused on viewing students' behaviors in the classroom through the viewpoints of extrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivation, rewards, beliefs, and goals. Not only did I study these concepts, but I was able to formulate strategies and plans that address each category and could help potential future students. This class is a great resource as I get back to teaching.
TE 818
Christopher Kaiser
Curriculum in its Social Context
I was inspired to take this course after taking TE 855- Teaching School Mathematics. After learning about what influences mathematics curriculum, I wanted to know what influences the overall curriculum. This course focused on the types of curriculum, educational philosophy, the goal of education, and the social, cultural and historical aspects of curriculum. I specifically found learning about the concept of "null- curriculum", what we do not teach in schools and what it implies, particularly impactful.
Spring
2020
TE 861C
Marcos Gonzales-Flores
Action Research in K12 Science & Mathematics Classrooms
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I was excited to take this class, since I have made it obvious that I am passionate about science, and I quite enjoy mathematics as well. This course helped to support my goal of teaching in a science classroom upon completion of this program. Using the action research process, I was able to plan a notional project that compared and questioned "why" there is a smaller mathematics achievement gap of minorities in Department of Defense schools when compared to traditional schools of equial diverse and transient opulations.
EAD 801
Dr. Kristy Cooper Stein
Leadership & Organizational Development
This class provided the opportunity to weave together some of my work and leadership experience with education. It covered many of the current and historical theories of leadership, including person-centered theories, theories of production & effectiveness, group-centered theories, theories of transformation, relationship-centered theories, and vanguard theories. This class will be a good reference for one of my future goals- moving into the administration side of education after I gain more experience in the classroom.
TE 848
Dr. Janine Certo
Writing Assessment & Instruction
This course helped me to become a more well-rounded educator. I took many literature based courses during the MAED program, but this was the only one focused on writing, the writing process and creative writing. I enjoyed having the opportunity to work on a few creative writing projects as a graduate student. I also found the book "What a Writer Needs" by Ralph Fletcher to be particularly impactful and useful in future classrooms.
