When I began this program, I felt pretty confident in teaching reading. I had been significantly successful with my students in the past, and I had been given ample opportunities for professional development. Yet, I was inspired to learn and getting my Masters degree had been a goal I had set years ago.
I was pleasantly surprised that there is a world of knowledge about literacy development that I had not been exposed to. I remember leaving my first class of this program (RE 5100) and my head hurt because I had learned so many interesting theories and my hand hurt because I had tried to scribble them all down furiously as my professor delivered them with the ease of ordering a sandwich. I knew immediately that this was the program I had been looking for.
This program has given me so many useful tools. First, it has taught me new strategies and techniques (RE 5140, RE 5130, & RE 5730) that I can use in the classroom. Unfortunately, right now I do not have my own class as I am currently an Instructional Coach, but I have found myself teaching these new ideas to the other teachers at my school in the hope that they will implement them to strengthen their program. Second, it has taught me the importance of research-based learning (RE 5140). I now have the tools to create my own research projects as well as utilize those that are available to me online. This awareness has created a unique confidence in knowing that I can defend anything I believe is right if someone questions my course of action.
I learned the importance of using accurate and authentic assessment techniques (RE 5715) and how to use the results to guide my instruction. I was overwhelmed with the amount of literature (RE 5140) that I had never read! I now have a much more diverse repertoire of resources that I can introduce to my students to expand their literary knowledge. This program has exposed me to a whole new world of technology (RE 5040, RE 5130, RE 5140) that I was not aware of. I now feel more confident in incorporating technology such as photography, powerpoints, blogging, and use of the smartboard easily into my classroom.
This program gave me hope that in a system that currently has many obstacles to growth and development, there are others that believe that change can happen. I learned the importance of speaking out (RE 5200) to people that make educational policy decisions and how to get involved in educational reform myself. Finally, I learned the importance of reflecting on my own teaching, discussing possibilities with colleagues, and changing for the better (RE 5710). I might be finished with my Masters degree, but I intend to continue to learn and grow so that I am always up to date on the best practices that I can use to guide my students to a successful future.