Moving Forward, Even If Unsure of the Direction
by Matt Johns
I cannot help but
think of the way that education has changed over the past three years since I
began my masters journey with Michigan State University and the MAED. Nearly four years ago I was participating
in year two of a four year Classrooms for the Future program initiated with the
state of Pennsylvania. Laptops,
smartboards, flip cameras and more were coming into the hands of nearly every
student. I saw my classroom
physically change overnight from one of students in rows to one of students
clustered in tables of five and six to discuss themes and work
collaboratively. It is impossible
to predict the types of changes I will experience as a learner and a teacher
over the next three years but I am sure that I have been provided with the
tools to map out a course that is true to my philosophy of education.
I know I see myself continuing on a path of utilizing technology in the classroom. The use of CoverItLive Blogging has changed the way we watch media in my classroom. An instructional video has gone from being a passive experience to a participatory lesson. The free, online learning program Moodle has allowed me to create digital classrooms for all my classes. Students have access to material that supports and expands upon any single text I could provide them. Additionally, with such resources my classes have become much more responsive to what is going on around the world. I can immediately expose my students to a variety of resources about events that are transpiring and reshaping the world. Just as importantly, my courses have prepared me to be flexible, analytical, and open to technology that I cannot anticipate working with in the future. I will take students beyond the scope of our texts into the literature of the past via primary sources, and the present through published historians. They will learn about Daoism through Winnie the Pooh and review the French Revolution via History for Music Lovers. Each of these tools and more will help create an educational environment that students will look forward to coming to because it will transcend what they expect from in a social studies classroom.
I do not want technology and expanding my classroom to be the only impression of what I will be doing in the future. Educational leadership and aspects of coaching sport were two other areas that I spent growing as a learner. I see myself applying each of these in a variety of ways. I do not anticipate becoming a formal educational leader beyond that of the department chair position I currently hold. I love the classroom and constant student interaction too much to give it up. However, my view of an educational leader changed through my MAED courses. Teachers have an equal role with administrators in providing leadership for change and development of schools. I can and will serve as a workshop leader in specialty areas such as working with English Language Learners, classroom management, and differentiated instruction. Working on developing teachers is a more rewarding leadership role than managing school discipline and budget.
Athletics is where I see the largest area for possible change in my future. I have been an assistant varsity coach for nearly ten years. I can absolutely see myself arriving at one of two paths in the future. Path A is as a head boys or girls basketball coach. I am confident in my technical knowledge, maturity, and preparation for the position. Years ago I would never have considered changing over to the Girls’ side of the sport, there is very little crossover in basketball in my league. Yet, I know I am ready to move beyond an assistant’s role for my growth as a person and coach. Path B is that of an Athletic Director. I have a passion for athletics, the lifelong lessons students gain from their participation, as well as a desire to advocate maintaining their importance in an environment in which many question its role with public education. Serving as an Athletic Director is the only role I can see myself leaving the classroom for because at least I would still have the daily, positive interactions with students that make education so rewarding.
As I move forward I fully expect to be pulled in multiple directions by both the skills I have acquired and the multiple passions I have within education. I cannot fully say whether I will be working with English Language Learners, students with Special Needs (I have taught inclusion classes for 12 years), Advanced Placement courses, or if I will even still be in the classroom. What is clear to me is that I possess the tools to provide my students and student-athletes with a unique educational experience that will be impactful, long-lasting, and fun.
I know I see myself continuing on a path of utilizing technology in the classroom. The use of CoverItLive Blogging has changed the way we watch media in my classroom. An instructional video has gone from being a passive experience to a participatory lesson. The free, online learning program Moodle has allowed me to create digital classrooms for all my classes. Students have access to material that supports and expands upon any single text I could provide them. Additionally, with such resources my classes have become much more responsive to what is going on around the world. I can immediately expose my students to a variety of resources about events that are transpiring and reshaping the world. Just as importantly, my courses have prepared me to be flexible, analytical, and open to technology that I cannot anticipate working with in the future. I will take students beyond the scope of our texts into the literature of the past via primary sources, and the present through published historians. They will learn about Daoism through Winnie the Pooh and review the French Revolution via History for Music Lovers. Each of these tools and more will help create an educational environment that students will look forward to coming to because it will transcend what they expect from in a social studies classroom.
I do not want technology and expanding my classroom to be the only impression of what I will be doing in the future. Educational leadership and aspects of coaching sport were two other areas that I spent growing as a learner. I see myself applying each of these in a variety of ways. I do not anticipate becoming a formal educational leader beyond that of the department chair position I currently hold. I love the classroom and constant student interaction too much to give it up. However, my view of an educational leader changed through my MAED courses. Teachers have an equal role with administrators in providing leadership for change and development of schools. I can and will serve as a workshop leader in specialty areas such as working with English Language Learners, classroom management, and differentiated instruction. Working on developing teachers is a more rewarding leadership role than managing school discipline and budget.
Athletics is where I see the largest area for possible change in my future. I have been an assistant varsity coach for nearly ten years. I can absolutely see myself arriving at one of two paths in the future. Path A is as a head boys or girls basketball coach. I am confident in my technical knowledge, maturity, and preparation for the position. Years ago I would never have considered changing over to the Girls’ side of the sport, there is very little crossover in basketball in my league. Yet, I know I am ready to move beyond an assistant’s role for my growth as a person and coach. Path B is that of an Athletic Director. I have a passion for athletics, the lifelong lessons students gain from their participation, as well as a desire to advocate maintaining their importance in an environment in which many question its role with public education. Serving as an Athletic Director is the only role I can see myself leaving the classroom for because at least I would still have the daily, positive interactions with students that make education so rewarding.
As I move forward I fully expect to be pulled in multiple directions by both the skills I have acquired and the multiple passions I have within education. I cannot fully say whether I will be working with English Language Learners, students with Special Needs (I have taught inclusion classes for 12 years), Advanced Placement courses, or if I will even still be in the classroom. What is clear to me is that I possess the tools to provide my students and student-athletes with a unique educational experience that will be impactful, long-lasting, and fun.