I believe technology is taking schools and education into the future.  After watching the video Digital Learning in Prairie South School Division, I am even more convinced that technology is important.  I like the idea of having projectors in every classroom.  It allows students to not only learn on the spot information, but allows them to present to the class off the internet.  In addition to projectors in the classroom, teachers wearing microphones is a great idea.  A study done showed many children do not hear everything said, this would allow a more productive lesson.  I also think the idea of students and teachers learning together are a great idea.  However, I still have reservations about using cell phones in the classroom, even if it is for class.  The assumption every student can afford one can end people in trouble.

The video Learning Something New,    Really made some good points.  As teachers we need to encourage schools to get with the times.  People have a hard time believing that traditional is not always the best.  Students are changing with society, it does not work to try and keep them in a classroom that is not doing the same.

My pre-internship was a wonderful and amazing experience. I had no idea I could love becoming a teacher any more. Working with the student’s everyday and getting in to see the progression of not only teaching, but the learning was incredible. In a short period of time I learned so much and I grew so much. My life has definitely changed and so has my perspective on teaching. I always knew it was a demanding job and required someone with skill, patience, and determination. I never knew just how much. I enjoyed being able to teach the students, to know that they were looking to me to help guide them and teach them what they needed to know. I also realized that there is not such thing as a failed lesson; there is only a lesson you can learn from. Everyday in the classroom is a learning experience. The relationships I created with the students in such a short time were remarkable. I can only imagine what will happen after my internship or when I become a full time teacher. This experience has affirmed my belief that I want to be a teacher.

On March 28, I participated in Earth hour. It was an interesting experience. It was not only a small gesture towards stopping global warming, but a small reminder of those who do not have electricity to squander. It was not had at all to shut off my electronics and think about what impact it is really making and the impact people are making. Climate change and global warming are serious issues that need to be dealt with seriously. It was interesting how in just a simple hour I realized how much I depend and waste electricity. I was able to get a large amount of work done in that our that I never would have done if I was still focused on the television or computer. It is something so simple that people can do. Turn off the electronics when they are not in use. It is a simple but powerful message that needs to be said.

As teachers it is our responsibility to be educators and advocators. As teachers we are not just there to teach the students facts and drill them with knowledge and hope they get it. We need to enhance and empower our students. They need to be given the skills and tools to better the future. We are teaching our students for a future we know nothing about. We need to advocate for learning about the world and what is going on in it. We are not only failing the students if we ignore the problems in society we are failing the future society. I do not think it is a matter of verses, but an and. Education and Advocacy are needed to properly educate students.

In a work shop I attended we were challenged to create our self portrait; but we could not use anything but straight lines and symbols. I did not have a hard time picking the five most influential aspects in my life: family, education, spirituality, nature and my vision. Each of these is represented by a symbol. In addition, I picked particular colours that represent aspects in my life.
The top of my portrait consists of symbols which depict my family. The blue rectangles are my brother and father and the pink triangle is my mother. Along the outsides of the portrait are white crosses; which emulate my faith and spirituality. At the bottom of the portrait are two red rectangles that symbolize my love for education. The green lines that section the portrait are to represent nature and how it surrounds me and helps to create balance in my life. Last, a black square, with a yellow square with a triangle in it. This represents my vision; though my world has gone dark the light of my vision will keep me going. It is also in the middle of the portrait because it is the center of my being and is a large part of who I am today. I may not be an artist, but I felt I grew personally when I did this activity because I really thought about my life and who I am.
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After attending a Treaty 4 workshop, I was faced with the issue of Aboriginal content and my role as an educator. It is important that we realize that it is not an “us” and “them”; it has to become a “we”, only through this can understanding truly take place. I had the opportunity to listen to an elder and others tells stories of first hand experiences and this has had a large impact on my life. I now feel more comfortable to teach about our past; from all perspectives and about the treaties. From past classes, I had learned a great deal about the historical aspects, but never really knew how to incorporate this knowledge into more than my social studies class. This work shop has showed me that it can fit any where. By choosing not to talk about both perspectives we are being ignorant. We need to at the least, try, doing something small is better than doing nothing at all.

The phrase “stopping to smell the roses” definitely comes into play in today’s busy life. I find my self busier and busier and not taking time to do fun things that just let me be me. However, I do try and get away from life and just let my mind relax and go where ever it wants to. I also enjoy hanging out with friends and letting the hours melt away while playing games, talking and just having a good time. Life is too short not to take advantage of these things. It is also better for our sanity it we get away from the bustle and hustle. In the same way, I am thankful for the friends and family I have that I can escape too. It is nice to have that line of defense behind you. I am also thankful for the opportunity to be here and experience everything I am the good and the bad. Life would be boring without the speed bumps; no matter how upset they make us. Last, I am thankful for my faith and hope in my Lord. The knowledge and comfort I have because of this belief helps me to carry on.
The last four years of my life have been completely turned up side down from how I ever pictured them; if there is one thing I have learned it is that take nothing for granted and expect the unexpected. I was once told “if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plan”. This saying always makes me smile because it is true; none of us know what is coming; so the best thing to do is take things one step at a time. I have found that looking too far ahead only makes my head spin and I go no where fast. However, if I take it slow and take it day by day I find my self to be more productive and happier with life. There is no point in winding yourself up, because that only sets you up for failure. Taking things step by step also allows for the best possible result. Having the “best” of what ever does not mean it beats everyone else, but it is the best you can do. Reaching for the stars; does not mean over doing it to impress people or try and out do the person next to you. Reach for your own stars; figure out what you want and go for it. Make your own dreams come true, no one else.
A part of reaching for the stars is challenging your self. For me a challenge is simply being at university. Four years ago that thought flew out of my mind and it seems to baffle most people when I tell them that I am attending university. However, I am moving on from that. I am challenging myself to not just become a teacher but a teacher students will enjoy having because they not only learn from but have fun with. I want to take my lessons out side of the traditional box and experiment and explore. I have to remember that what ever happens it is not the end of the world. There will be days and lessons that blow up; all I can do is get up and go again the next day. Giving up is the easy way out and I choose every way but the easy way. I have never been one to let something stop me and I do not want to start now. All I need to do is trust in my self; belief and faith can go a long way. I also need to trust in the people I am working with that they will be their to help me when I may need it and believe in my students that they will out shine anything I could ever imagine.

Science is everything. There is no one way to say what science is, nor teach science. Science is something based on truth and facts. There are things that will never change no matter how much time passes. In the same way, there is the element of the unknown. We have no idea what the future holds for us. Things that are unknown or impossible today maybe true in the future. For this reason, it is important not only to teach the students the truths about science but the skills to find it. Science is about wondering and finding out. It is our ob to give students the skills and strategies to be able to do this. Science is not just reading facts in a text book; students need to live and experience it. Wonder and why should be fostered and sustained in children.

Becoming a pre-service teacher, I was told to take all my past memories and conceptions of what school was like when I went through and throw them out. I was completely shocked and troubled with this idea. Right away I thought, why? I had really good teachers and good lessons taught to me, or so I thought. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that a lot of my elementary school days were very traditional. I can remember doing work sheets and work books all the time and making a lot of bird reports. In a few cases though I do have memories of interactive and fun lessons where I know I learned a great deal that has stuck with me. I started to wonder why is that? Then, I realized; it was not so much the work I remembered but the teacher who taught it to me. It is the memories of teachers I had that I want to keep with me. It is because of their influence and the impact they had on my life I wanted to become a teacher and one reason why I continue to pursue through this. They made an impact on my life and I only want a chance to do that for children I may teach.

Assessing and evaluating is a complex issue. I am so confused; I have no idea where to start. Learning all these different ways to asses students and evaluate them in the most efficient ways. My head feels like it is going to spin off some days. I know I am a pre-service teacher, but I am worried about what is going to happen when I got into the classroom. Will I be able to justify what I have done, will it be a fair mark for the students. A big concern I have is will I notice if a student is struggling because they just do not try or because they need further help? There are so many questions about assessment and evaluation I have no idea to really begin. I know I am just learning and it will take time; but sometimes it feels like it will never come and I will only fail. Going forward and trying no matter what happens is all I can do.