Tori Hunt

The Path of Least Resistance (to Change)

As I complete my graduate coursework at Michigan State University, I can’t help but start to reflect on what the next step will be for me in enriching my career. As a teacher, I believe that I am on a path of continuous learning and evolving. My biggest fear is becoming stuck in my ways, never changing to become the best teacher that I can be. I am planning to look into professional development opportunities in my area and to enroll in some classes at the local community college. I also plan to continue to study new educational practices and ideas with the help of my colleagues and through technological platforms such as Twitter. I also plan to be a better advocate for my students in the community. I feel as if I have learned how to be a better leader and I will use this to help my low-income school get the resources we need to help our students be successful.

 

 I teach at a low-income school where resources are very limited. We have asked year after year for technology to enhance our lessons and motivate our students. Unfortunately, our school and school system does not have the funds to include technology in the budget. The first thing I plan to do is become more of a leader in my school. To help my students, I plan to apply for grants to get my school some technology resources so that we can make our classrooms more 21st century friendly. Our school has very limited access to technology, so I plan to apply for grants to allow our school to get at least 5 iPads per classroom. I also plan to encourage my colleagues to apply for iPads through Donors Choose to help aid us in our quest to get technology into our classrooms. If these efforts fail, I plan to advocate for a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program in our school so that students can be involved in more meaningful lessons and to make our school more competitive with others in our county. I will also use platforms like Twitter to get information out about the things we need at our school so that our community can help. This Twitter account can also keep others informed about what is going on at our school and aid in attracting a more diverse group of students.

 

I also plan to join an educational committee in my school. As a fairly new teacher, I have always felt like I do not know enough yet to mentor or help my colleagues. However, now that I am about to complete my graduate studies I feel more comfortable and confident in my knowledge of teaching practices. I think I could use my new knowledge to contribute some effective ideas to our Literacy team. I plan to do some demonstrations of effective guided reading groups to help my colleagues. I can also serve as a mentor to teachers who feel as if they are struggling with their literacy instruction. Even though many of my colleagues to do not have the time, resources, or energy to attend graduate school, I can help them by sharing some of the things I have learned to help better our literacy teaching as a school.  I can also continue to contribute new practices I learn through my professional development with this committee to strengthen our school’s literacy program.

 

The last thing I plan to do is continue learning throughout my career as an educator. I am making a promise to myself to take at least one class every summer to keep up with the latest educational practices. I also plan to read at least one book every year on literacy practices. This way I can continue to keep up with the ever-changing times in the classroom and attempt to be the best teacher I can possibly be for my students. This constant learning will keep me from getting stuck in a rut and becoming an ineffective teacher. I will also use my Twitter account to follow educational leaders that can give me insight and contribute to my goal of continuing to learn as well. The educational community on Twitter can serve as mentors to me when I am in need.

 

Although I it has been a long, hard journey through my graduate coursework, I know that I am just beginning my path to becoming a better teacher. I will continue to learn and grow throughout my career through every opportunity I can.