Changing Goals, Unwavering Passion

 

          When I began the Master’s of Education (MAED) program, with a concentration on Literacy Education, at Michigan State University, my initial goal was to become an elementary literacy coach. I wanted to continue to impact the lives of my students, to make them life long learners, as well as to guide other teachers to provide the best literacy instruction for their students. As a literacy coach, I wanted to ensure that students were ready for the world outside of the classroom. I also wanted to introduce students to the joys and wonders of reading and mold them into life long learners.

 

          Another goal in enrolling in this program was to learn skills and strategies to differentiate my literacy instruction to best support all types of learners in my current and future classrooms. I hoped to become highly qualified and effective at implementing reading and writing instructional strategies, assessments, and best practices. One goal was also to become more familiar with classic children’s literature. I choose the MAED program because it allowed me to continue teaching and provided flexibility in balancing my work as a teacher and a student. I believed this program would allow me to push myself professionally and challenge myself academically.

 

          Since starting this program in the summer of 2014, many of my goals have changed. I no longer want to become a literacy coach. In the last few years, I have had more leadership opportunities at my school, and through these experiences, have come to realize that I would rather work with students instead of adults. I realized I’d prefer to stay in the classroom because I find so much joy working with students. While I am still passionate about literacy, I believe that as a teacher, I have the capability to create life longer learners, who are prepared for the world outside of the classroom. I do not need to be a coach in order to meet these goals.

 

          Through the courses I have taken, I have met many of my initial goals. I feel confident in implementing literacy best practices and do feel like I have gained an appreciation and familiarity with children’s literature and film. Currently, my goal is to continue to develop my own teaching practices by staying in the classroom and devoting myself to providing my students with strong instruction. Additionally, I am still working towards my original goal of providing differentiated instruction to support all of my students. While I have learned many strategies to enhance my ability to differentiate, this is an area that I can continue to develop.

 

          When I began this program, I set the goal to challenge myself academically. I did not realize two years ago how challenging this program would be, but also, how much I would enjoy it. In reflecting on my goals, I have realized how much I love learning and really like taking classes. Because of this experience, now one of my goals is to continue my own education. I would love the chance to grow and acknowledge that there is still more I can learn. My goal in completing this program is to continue to implement what I have learned in my own classroom, while pursuing additional educational opportunities for myself. I would like to work towards a graduate certificate, because there is more I want to learn and I enjoy taking classes and meeting other learners. In the future, I want to continue to work with students, possibly as a reading interventionist or a classroom teacher.