Education Portfolio

May 10, 2007

Educational Philosophy

“Second only to freedom, learning is the most precious option on earth.”
-Norman Cousins-

Travel back to your teenage years. It’s a beautiful sunny day, the birds are singing, and the swimming hole beckons with its cool, clear promise of a spring afternoon’s happiness. But you’re stuck inside a musty old classroom listening to Mr. Fooglehorn drone on about the evolution of Chinese offshore fishing policy or some other equally useful piece of information. Sounds like fun, right? Unfortunately, this is how some educators instruct within their classrooms, emphasizing boring facts at the expense of the adventure in learning.

“The illiterate of the future are not those who can’t read and write but those that cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”
-Alvin Toffler-

Learning is the most important common denominator in classrooms. How do people learn? What is our natural way of learning? These are simple questions but their answers are far from simple. A sophisticated and detailed look at education and all of its complexity is beyond the scope of this philosophy; however, the adventure and spontaneity of learning is what I hope to achieve.

How we learn often determines the quality and usefulness of the knowledge gained. I first argue that only learning from experience, without the benefit of structured education or training, is a slow “hit and miss” process. Without the structure and direction of classroom education, there’s no way to be sure experience is providing all the important learning we need. And, of course, there’s the matter of efficiency. Learning only by experience is often slow and time consuming. While traditional classroom education is a poor substitute for learning by experience, it does, however, when combined with gaining experience, help speed up the learning process.

Klas Mellander (1993) says that, “the purpose of (leading) is to make learning possible.” That is, it creates conditions that encourage and support learning as opposed to simply conveying information. This definition holds educators and trainers accountable for high quality inputs (e.g., a supportive and challenging learning environment, relevant examples, quality learning materials) as opposed to simply being responsible for activity (e.g, lecturing, handing out materials, controlling side conversations). Furthermore, my adopted theory recognizes that learning involves a choice. As a teacher, you can make learning possible, but you can’t make learning happen.

Traditional teaching is “jug and mug,” with the big jug (the teacher) filling up the little mugs (the students). Traditional teaching only pays little attention to learning readiness and learning climate. In traditional teaching, the teacher explains the meaning of each term separately, in a linear fashion. Students are asked to “pay attention” and have few opportunities to make use of their own experience. Opposed to the traditional teaching method is my philosophy of the teacher serving as a guide to education. Where he / she coach each student to understand and grow with a foundation of information. A key function of this educational philosophy is to be a facilitator in the classroom (i.e, seek and challenge viewpoints, synthesize ideas, summarize key points, focus on decisions and tasks, ease group processes, offer mediation and resolve, and support a safe learning environment). Rather than simply presenting material to a captive and passive audience, I plan to deal with students who active, involved, and who draw their own conclusions. I also plan to assist students in their endeavor to create and discover their own opinions and insights, rather than believing that my personal conclusions can become student’s conclusions just because I say so. I will encourage students to work for things that they already understand intuitively. I will provide for experimentation and discovery, rather than turning students into walking reference books and champions of total recall.

“If teaching is transformed in our time, it will not be the result of snappier teaching techniques. It will happen because we are in the midst of a far reaching intellectual and spiritual revisioning of reality and how we know it.”
-Parker Palmer-

May 8, 2007

Educational Essay

Becoming a teacher has been one of the most rewarding decisions I have ever made. It has brought out the best in me and I can now see my future and the future of America in full bloom. I believe I can make a positive contribution to your school system in so many ways. Being a natural maximizer, I am able to find potential in every student by creating an environment that is fun, friendly, and full of energy. Each day we sing songs, dance, and play in ways that are not only building their self esteem but also feeding their bodies and minds. My classroom environment keeps students' imaginations running wild. I create a good balance of classroom management techniques that are fair and effective. I can handle most student issues that conflict with my expectations in my classroom; whereas, on some occasions I need to seek out help from other team members. Other teachers often look to me for my ability to organize events such as field trips and other school functions. I am also able to coordinate well with my fellow teachers to plan a learning environment that is suitable for children’s learning needs. Not only do I mentor within my small group of students, I am also always willing and excited to do other duties that are either assigned to me or volunteered. I have an extra willingness to go above and beyond my duties as a teacher and use my skill sets to plan and organize school and community events such as banquets and agriculture leadership events. I believe that I have learned so much in my first two years of teaching and I am continuing to grow. I would be a proud part of your school system and a teacher you could count on.

Resume

Objective:
To successfully obtain an opportunity to work in an environment that fosters teamwork, personal growth, and organizational direction. With an eagerness to educate the youth of tomorrow about agriculture and a desire to build stronger communities, I plan to benchmark my career at an accredited Texas school district.

Education:
Texas Tech University (Lubbock, Texas): August 2001- December 2004
Major: Agriculture Education- 3.45 GPA Minor: Agronomy

*Vocational Agriculture Production (grades 6-12) certified

*Generalist Early Childhood- Fourth grade certified

Coronado High School (Lubbock, Texas): 1998-2001

Teaching Experience:
August 2005- Present Spur ISD Kindergarten teacher
Jan.2005-May 2005 Frenship ISD Grades K-12 substitute
Jan.2005-May 2005 Lubbock ISD Grades K-12 substitute
Sept. 2004-Dec. 2004 Spur ISD Grades 9-12 agriculture science student teaching
Feb. 2004-May 2004 Wilson Junior High field based observation

Other Employment:
White River Marina (cook/cashier): May 2004-August 2004
~Managed cashier and inventory deliveries
South Plains Reproductions (bindery technician): June 2003-April 2004
~Bindery operations for a local printing company
Texas Tech University (animal science lab assistant): March 2003- August 2004
~Performed daily nutrition lab task and helped organize and operate Feedmill/Feedyard Seminar
American State Bank (part-time teller/ supervisor): May 2001-March. 2003
~Responsible for three part-time tellers and their evaluations
~Trained the new tellers
~Created daily schedules for employees
~Handled day to day transactions
~Managed in excess of $20,000 daily
Livestock Financial Manager December 1998- August 2001
~Production of purebred show rabbits with extensive pedigree history
~Financial records managed through Evans software program

Volunteer Work:
United Way Food Drive - facilitated Greek wide canned food drive
Lubbock Youth Softball - Assistant Coach South Plains Fair - set up barrow show and assisted the rabbit judge
Coronado FFA Booster Club - organized fundraiser auction and financial reports

Awards / Honors

Academic
President’s List
Dean’s List
Who’s Who Among College Students
Distinguished Program Graduate
Softball / Golf All Academic Team

Agriculture
Lone Star FFA
District FFA Vice-President
Star Greenhand and Farmer
Top Cooperative Meat/Fruit Salesman

Scholarships
Alford Memorial General Motors
FFA Barrow Sale
Hargrave-Leach
International Paper

Certifications
Texas Teacher Certified
Basic Life Support / CPR
Hunter Safety EducationFirst Aid Provider

Organizations:
*Vocational Agriculture Teachers of Texas ‘04-present
*Lakeridge United Methodist Church '91-present
*Texas Tech National Panhellenic Association ‘03-‘04
*Golden Key International Honor Society ‘03-‘04
*Collegiate FFA '01-‘04
*American Rabbit Breeders Association member '99-‘02
*Varsity Golf and Softball '00-‘01
*National Honor Society member '99-‘01

Leadership Positions:
National FFA Organization
~Coronado High chapter Treasurer and Sentinel
~Lubbock district Vice President
~Quiz Bowl LDE, Poultry Judging CDE
Texas Tech National Panhellenic council treasurer
~Supervised and organized recruitment counselor training
~Managed and developed budget for council
~Distributed and enforced fine letters and roster dues
Chi Omega Sorority
~Panhellenic representative
~New member class Social
~Recruitment decorations committee
New Century Leadership
~Toured Lubbock and the surrounding area
~Participated in leadership training and ropes course

Special Talents and Abilities:
*Creative and always professional when completing daily task
*Technical computer literate including Microsoft Office Professional XP: MS Word, MS Excel, MS Publisher, MS PowerPoint, Adobe
*Excellent team member and always willing to help others

Personal References

Nick Scott
Spur-Elem. principal
Spur ISD
800 N. Williams
Spur, TX 79370
B-806-271-4531
nscott@esc17.net

Kermit Woolley
Agriculture Teacher
Spur ISD
P.O. Box 250
Spur, TX 79370
B-806-271-3385
H-806-271-3119
Email – kermitw@esc17.net

Dr. Steve Fraze
Texas Tech Advisor
Texas Tech University
P.O. Box 42123
Lubbock, TX 79409
B-806-742-2816
Email – steven.fraze@ttu.edu

Dr. Chad Davis
Texas Tech Professor
Texas Tech University
P.O. Box 42123
Lubbock, TX 79409
B-806-742-2816
Email – chad.s.davis@ttu.edu

Dr. James Smith
Texas Tech Professor
Texas Tech University
P.O. Box 42123
Lubbock, TX 79409
B-806-742-2816
Email – james.h.smith@ttu.edu

Kevin Brendle
HS principal
Spur ISD
800. N. Calvert
Spur, TX 79370
B-806-271-3385
kbrendle@esc17.net

Lou Bruster
Retired Teacher/Family Friend
HCR Box 165
Spur, TX 79370
H-806-263-4224

Brent Parr
Farwell ISD
P.O. Box 351
Farwell, TX 79325
806-790-4835

Sharon Pharr
Teacher/Family Friend
5401 88th Street
Lubbock, TX 79424
H-806-794-6916

Allan Adams
Adams Funeral Home (owner)
P.O. Box Drawer C
Ralls, TX 79357
H- 806-253-2626
B- 806-253-2174

Rocky Wilson
Waters Elementary
3006 78th Street
Lubbock, TX 79423
B-806-766-6207
H-806-795-9530