Educational Philosophy

Education is not something you decide to take up from one day to another. I consider education to be one of the most promising careers you can decide to carry from all the others. Teachers have such an impact towards students, you really have to love what your about to study and get yourself into. My reason's to have chosen this particular career would have to be no other than, the love I have for children, the difference I know I can make in a child's life, and the desire I have to be involved with kids on an everyday basis. But not only would I like to be seen as their simple teacher, but as their coach, mentor, role model, and most of all friend. Some people would automatically think this is just simply impossible and crazy, but what their not seeing is the will and way to do so.
My philosophy on education is that teachers hold a special power that only they have to help make students succeed and have a better future for themselves and ours. Educators are different from all other majors, with out educators their would be no doctors, lawyers, business people, and so on. Their the ones who educate these successful people. That's why til this day I believe teachers don't receive a well deserved pay check; beats being paid dimes and nickles from back then, but still not enough.
We need teachers to help our society succeed at large and help others want to help others. If not, what kind of future are we looking at? Not a very good one I'll tell you that much. Our planet will indeed fall apart and not function as it should be. We need more people who will make a difference, and teachers are ones who push and help make things happen.
Also, teachers are the ones who allow you look deeper and figure out what testing your true knowledge really is.
One of my most favorite philosophers, Plato, brings me on to my next point. He always allowed students to explore, and figure out what their true knowledge of mind really were. He tested and challenged students minds with out even having his own school. Students followed him because they choose too on their own will. He also believed woman should be equally taught just like men were. He quoted, "If woman are expected to do the same work as men, we must teach them the same thing."
When I arrived fresh and new out of high school to college, I didn't think I would choose this major to become my career. But with some time, I knew this was what I wanted to do. Looking at my teachers lecturing and helping me to become a better person in life and in my school work is just priceless.

Reflection # 20

There are many ways U.S. high schools differ from European high schools. For example, European high schools do not have extracurricular activities like our U.S. high school praise. U.S. high schools are usually known for their cheerful school spirit and dashing sports team. On the other hand, European high schools have no sports team going on in their school. The only way you can be able to join a team, which is mostly soccer, is when high schools students themselves join a public association around their community.
Furthermore, since European high schools do not have any extracurricular activities their size in school is rather smaller than U.S. high schools are today. European high schools do not consist of having football fields, gymnasiums, swimming pools, tennis courts, or basketball courts. Also, European high schools do not have any lockers. So as you can see U.S. high schools are rather huge compared to European high schools.
Moreover, European high school students switch classes less often than U.S. high school students would. Usually European students would remain in one classroom and have the teacher be the one to revolve to a different room. The only time European students would switch classes would be for their science class, if that.
Also, it is said to be that European high schools are more academically challenging that U.S. high schools are. In European schools their are no multiple choice tests; just written ones. It is also said to be that teachers in U.S. high schools are more motivating and involved with students, than European teachers are. U.S high school teachers are not only teachers but can also be the leader for lots of extracurricular activities, which makes them involved with getting to know the student in and out of class.
So as you can clearly see, education in European high schools are a lot different from U.S. high schools. It has its good and its bad but as long as education keeps evolving, things could only go up from there on.

Reflection # 19

When we look back to old colonial times, to our public schools now there's a major difference. It's amazing to see how our schools and education have been improved since the Dame schools of old times. Our education has only progressed throughout centuries. The first schools created during Colonial times were known as Dame schools. Boys and girls were taught by women in their own homes. You can think of it as a very private lesson given by women. Boys were usually taught writing, reading, and religion; where girls were being educated on house chores.
Students usually used slate pencils and wrote on clay tablets. Whenever they would make a mistake all they had to do was erase and reuse it whenever their instructor told them too. Smaller children usually used something called a horn book. It was basically a wooden board with a simple handle; inside consisting of prayers and the alphabet.
Now in days we use paper like we consume oxygen. We're constantly throwing away good paper that could be used again, or make thousands of unnecessary copies that remain in files for years, that in the end their going to end up in the trash.
Furthermore, in the colonial times students were required to learn about religion at least one day a week. High schools these days do not have this requirement. Although I think its not such a bad idea, only private religious schools carry this subject.
So as you can see time does take a toll on everything, it takes a toll for change. For the most part time has taken a better toll on education. It gives us more hope that many of us can succeed in what we want we dream to become.

Reflection # 18

“In America, education has always been viewed as a vehicle for improving the society at large.” I honestly would have to totally agree with this quote. And the reasons for this matter would have to be because America is always trying to figure out ways to improve education throughout time. Woman's rights have definitely come a long way for example. Now we have right to decide and choose our own paths instead of relying on men only. Women have the right to learn as much and more than a man would. No longer do woman have to stay at home and slave around doing household chores.
Furthermore, education has always been targeted at large. It has always been the center of attention to quit a few people. It's such a huge impact, which can change lives and destine us to what we want to become on the long run. Throughout years people have been trying to figure out ways to improve it. To become a teacher it was never an easy job. But now we have higher standards to become licensed to be a teacher. They have raised tests scores, training, and all you can think of. The same goes to becoming a doctor, veterinarian, broadcasting, even a simple physical education teacher.
Through out time they have also been trying to build up much more schools than they had in the old Roman days. In the Roman days they had no more than two formal schools for children.
Education has come a long way, and it just keeps on growing. From religion, race, and culture it's something that invites us to learn more from one another. It helps us work and become one whole community. There's more meaning that just a simple diploma, it's a movement of living.

Reflection # 17

Children in the New England colonies were raised to have the up most respect towards their parents, at an early age they were to be taught morals, manners, and about religion. Parents were supposed to educate their children in order for them to take over their family profession. They were highly disciplined on their behavior for the upcoming future as grownups.
A lot of children in the early colonies began working at a young age. Girls doing house chores, of course, and boys outdoors.
Education was not offered to every child in the New England colonies. Some did not have sufficient money to send their kids off to have a formal education. But those who did have the chance to attend had a very hard time, somewhat different than we have today. Some students literally went to school after they finished off their responsibilities at work; like little minnie adults that they were.
Teachers around this time of area were very strict on students. Whatever mistake or wrong answer they would get resulted as whips. The lectures they received contained of bible lessons, math, and reading. People wanted to make sure students well good enough to read the Bible most of all. They thought the Bible provided a message for living.
Now in days public schools don't offer a religion class, unless it's a private church school. And of course being whipped by a teacher is not exactly an option teachers have now in days. Now we have the opportunity to choose what we want to do with our lives and not fall into the same footsteps of our parents. You're free to explore what you want to get out of the profession that you choose.
U.S. Education gives us more opportunities and hope for students to have a formal education. You have financial aid, more and more public schools opening up for the community, even free transportation for those who qualify for it. Everything for those possitive reaction students will be able to give back.

Reflection # 16

As education to Romans became more popular and trendy, education started to develop a more complex form of knowledge. Rhetoric allowed you to learn how to write and speak, something you needed to learn in law courts or public life. Greeks thought as language being very high ranked and important. Everybody wanted to learn and absorb it. Speaking that language to them was like having a brand new pair of pumps to wear Saturday night at the club, it was the IT thing to know.
Three types of teachers they had were, grammaticus, litterator, or rhetor. Grammaticus taught you how to recite papers and corrected you on your pronunciation. Litterator teachers usually taught reading and writing, when the rhetor taught students how to make speeches from specific topics.
Rhetoric was implicated by Greece itself. What is called declamation took control over the school department. This was a system that allowed students to express themselves and perform a speech made up by each of them and debate amongst each other, making literature more exciting, while parents loved it. On the other hand, the controversia had a higher status than declamation did. The controversia was a well performed show, which that was very amusing and high ranked by others; the controversia was always performed in public. This form came from love poems, and fairy tales fantasy's people held within them. This had all sort of storytelling forms you can think of, so you can just imagine the effect this had in people.

Reflection # 15

In Ancient Athenian students were taught various subjects, three of them being physical education, music, and literacy. On the other hand, Romans considered music and physical education of less importance. But they did emphasize on teaching their students about literacy.
Ancient Athenians attendance at school was mostly optional. Not being grounded by the government, the age range went up to at least 14 years of age. Of course girls had no part in having any sort of a descent education. They had the typical stereotype to take care of house hold chores, while boys were sent off to school. But some with a higher economic status did receive somewhat of an education.
However, Romans considered education to be of important significance. Wealthy students were often educated at home by their tutors. But those who were sent off to schools, which were only boys, had quit a rough time remaining there. Students were often whipped by their teachers if they committed any sort of violation. Students did not have the right to know why something was right or wrong. They just believed in whatever was taught to them.
Roman girls were married at a very young age, usually around the age of 12 years old, unlike the boys that waited until they were 14.
Moreover, Roman schools usually had two separate schools. One for younger children around the age range of 12 and the other children went off to a more complex school; where they practice public speaking. Since paper was very high priced students had to accommodate to wax tablets.
Nevertheless, Athenian schools were private schools. Students were taught in a one room are. Some teachers had books but students usually didn't.

Reflection # 14

Aristotle's four causes were Formal cause, Material cause, Final cause, and Efficient causes. Material cause is what an object comes out as and what remains in it, like a silver spoon or pot. Formal cause comes within the words kind or nature, something so real and basic. It's what is to become of it. While natural kinds can be the out come of an Efficient cause; its the art of making something blossom. Change is a huge toll in Efficient cause. Last but not least, Final cause comes from the terms ending or last, it's the reason for things being done.
Aristotle's writing was known to be a form of living things. He believed humans and animals had a ranking of understanding; us being the highest and worms being the lowest. He believed the difference between us and animals was the ability to contain information and reasoning.
Around the 14 century, Aristotle developed a concept called "The Great Chain of Being." This meant that living things were now viewed as Species. "The Great Chain of Being" was also known as the "Ladder of Life" or "Scala Naturae." Aristotle's idea was to be understood among the common similarities of all living things. He viewed this chain as being perfect, the same way he viewed the world. Viewing our planet as being perfect also meant species could never changed. He also considered two species always having a higher or lower rank towards each other.
This chain stretched out the idea of God being the nature of all things. Aristotle considered God as being the one who turned all facts around.

Reflection #13

Plato's thoughts and ideas were mostly spoken through Socrates many times. So it was never certain if he truly spoke out his full point of view. It is said to be that Plato was a more methodical thinker than Socrates himself. But one of his points that came across was, he believed that when people were born, they were born without a mind that was not affected by impressions or experiences. Like a blank, ignorant mind with no thoughts or signs of knowledge.
Obviously this theory now is not pursuit by many people. We are all born with instincts from day one. Plato believed to learn, teach and experience factors in life you had to be born with a good soul; which had the gate key to good existences. Those who were born with a gift of spiritual light had an obligation to teach others. Philosophers and Educators in Greek were usually in charge to help others in need of knowledge, who they viewed as the ignorant ones.
During the fourth century, Plato opened his own school, the Academy, of philosophy; opened to any generation of Athenians. By doing this, Plato was concerned with discovering reality and how knowledge took its toll in it. He also pursued to develop idealism. One of Plato's teaching was that in all things you will always find truth, and people should try and search it because it's perfect and endless.
Plato believed people had a sincere knowledge for truth, beauty and goodness, in which he referred to as the Platonic Forms. He believed we had the knowledge for sensible realities, knowledge we could not have learned from experience. Knowledge introduced to us with the Forms since child birth. He believed well was the source for all knowledge, and that knowledge isn't created but discovered.

Reflection # 12

Around the 1950's the first satellite was launched in space, which was named the Soviet Sputnik. It made quit an impact in the Cold War. The failure to overcome the Soviets affected school's throughout America very low. Some universities became very strict in certain curriculums such as, math and science. It was meant to drive students into a higher level of thinking.
Another impact left by the Soviet Sputnik was, around the 1960's schools began to remove less and less electives. Low scores by students had a great deal to do with it as well; one of the reasons why electives were decreasing while certain subjects were increasing. Test and exams began to take its toll as well. Now they began to develop certain test that required students to pass in ordered to go on to the next level.
It almost became a rat race for America to surpass Soviet. They wanted to have the best educators with the highest knowledge in science or math. All which required higher standards not only from students, but from teachers as well.
To meet these new challenges congress passed the National Defense Education Act. This was passed to develop certain skills and resources for students. This act funded scholarship, loans, even teacher training programs, in order to develop better curriculum's results.

Reflection # 11

Socrates was born in Athens, the idea of Socratic Elenchus is figuring out what his audience moral beliefs were. While their being confused on what their beliefs are, Socrates can qualify it as having no positive beliefs. Although some believe it can also have a positive effect. Gregory Vlastos is one who believes that Elenchus have a positive effect in figuring out moral truths. He also stated that if Socratic Elenchus can be used to figure out positive moral beliefs, it could also point out the untruthfulness side of it as well.
Furthermore, when we feel that we truly reached happiness we automatically think that it involves money, sex, and or exercising right to achieve the look you always longed for. We consider happiness as how our lives are pictured, but Socrates believe it's just another objective in life. Socrates considered happiness to be found within your own soul, while having honor, integrity, and wealth. Socrates believes that good and evil had a great deal to do with morality. He defined a bad person as someone who committed dirty deeds without even being revealed towards it. He believed that in doing what is right and having morality's with respect during life determined if you went to a better place in the afterlife; a place called heaven.
In addition, Socrates believed he was on earth to establish wisdom from the great god Apollo himself. He believed he was wise because he never pretended like he knew something when in reality he didn't.
When he was accused for not believing in gods and influencing the youth, to his defense he said the youth followed him on their own will. Like he said, "A bad man cannot harm a better person."

Reflection # 10

"The teacher is the gate keeper" means the teacher is what keeps a classroom together. Without the missing puzzle, being the teacher, a classroom would not be able to function right. Teachers hold a special kind of power that overrules students in a classroom. They're ones who tell students, when to speak, when to stop speaking, or what assignments to do next. Students are the ones who wait for the teacher to call on them for questions, and wait for the teacher to give them a certain response.
Picture putting about 30 kids with no teacher being in charge. It's like having a fun full day at the zoo; it would be total chaos. Teachers are what keep the classroom together. Without a leader being present how would students learn, be disciplined, or develop memory of their education.

Teachers are the rock in a student's education. They set the ground for what comes next, or what holds off. Students take most of their time listening to the lecturing a teacher is giving, two-thirds of their time is taken up by a teacher speaking. Teachers literally ask about 348 questions a day. Students are the one who depend on a teacher. They are the dominate ones who encourage a student's curiosity in knowledge.

Philip Jackson was the creator of this quote. He also said, teachers exchange more than a thousand words with their students each day.

They play the difference in weather a child learns or not. Like a sports team, you always need that one person who can take control of their own team. It takes tremendous amount of time and hard work to overcome these obstacles, teachers even include their own personal life's into this profession.

Reflection # 9

Comparing teachers from Ancient Egyptian to teachers now in day's I'd have to say there is a huge difference between both. In Ancient Egypt going to school was a huge privilege. Not everybody had the same opportunities others had. Mostly wealthy kids went to school, but children with less fortunate families couldn't even attend, because they didn't have the time or money to do so. Teachers were literally paid out of tuition from their won students. On the other hand, now in days I believe students have a bigger opportunity in receiving a formal education. We've build much more school's now than they ever had in Ancient Egypt. Also, our teachers get paid a respectable amount of money from the government, maybe not as much as they should, but it's a lot better than receiving money from your own students.

Furthermore, first schools also had this rule that teachers would discipline their students with whips if they were to misbehave. I believe if teachers were to do that now they would be on a search for a very good lawyer. Now we have laws that prevent teachers from using violent actions towards students.

Moreover, education in Ancient Egypt had no time length for an education. People finished before others, others would just start working in their parent's profession, and some would just get bumped up from experience. Education didn't have a strong ground set, like we have today. Teachers now in days have more respect and have a stronger impact in student's life, unlike Ancient Egypt. Parents played a bigger role during those times. They would decide and plan their future up for them, teach those morals, religion, and discipline.

Therefore, throughout time teachers have gained their respect by caring and putting more hard work and effort into their profession. Now teachers are one of the influences that guide you into the inner future. And prepares you for what you're going to deal with in college and so on. Teachers have come a long way, their basically consider the rock of your education learning.

Reflection # 8

In 1983, The Imperative for Educational Reform was released, demanding higher scores in subjects like, math, English or social science. It also required high standards in qualifying to be a teacher. Some people thought it would do much more harm than good to them, and others questioned if this reform was going to be in any way of an effect to them. There were many waves in this reform but the first one, which began in 1982, was meant to raise the bar in test scores from students. Students were having a difficult time in areas like Science and Math mostly. But not only did they want test scores to increase; they also wanted teacher's performances in classrooms to improve as well.

Now moving on to the second wave, established in 1986, called again for a more prominent encouragement from teachers. This also involved covering less subject matters but increasing studying habits much more. Even the Principal had to put its effort in and try to do a much better job in running his/her own school.

In addition, the third wave of reform, in which it began in 1988, asked for more support to students who were having financial problems in their household. They realized that students were not at fault for their families not having the right amount of time or money to offer them a full developed education. This wave allowed them to give support to those in needs. In areas like transportation, food, counseling, health care, even parent teaching.

In my opinion, wave one remains to be the most dominant one because critics remain to test out and figure out ways to improve students test scores, teachers performances, and schools performances in general. Til this day were still going through this on going problem. Students are having a difficult time passing the FCAT, whether it's reading, writing or math. This will forever remain an issue to the school district. Weather or not the schools are doing what their suppose to be doing. Some even believe that only the American industry has no one to blame but itself, said by Educator Clinton Boutwell.

Reflection # 7

Education in Egypt was very peculiar. It was like the kids were imitating their parents and followed the same footsteps of their own. It wasn't like they had much of a choice though, many of the young boys future was already set out on the table for them. They weren't allowed to choose their own career; many of the times they had to follow their family's profession. Young girls on the other hand, had to learn the traditional household chores. But they also were required to learn how to entertain if they wanted to work inside the Temple. This involved dancing, playing instruments, and singing. Unfortunately, children who belonged to less fortunate families, like farmers, had less chance of an education. They had to learn how to make nets to catch fish, sow, and learn how to tend cattle or poultry.

Furthermore, in Ancient Egypt parents educated their own kids by setting their ideas on morals and principles out to them. They also educated them about their religion, beliefs, and correct manner behaviors. Home-schooling also consisted of vocational training. The King on the other hand, did not educate his children himself; they had their own tutors.

To prepare children for adult hood they would also assist them with what is called Apprenticeship. This described a field as an On the Job Training, which we still use today. It allowed parents to transfer their knowledge in the work field onto their children. A mistake that may occur allows you to learn how to do it the right way. Men would take their sons out to work with them in order to learn the required skills and family business, with high hope and expectations that in the inner future his son will one day take his place.

In addition, Egyptian Temples were used for meetings between supernatural forces and humans. It was the place people went for consultant of their people and land. But the language Cuneiform was so difficult to master children often went to temple school. They used clay tablets as their writing format, whatever mistakes they would make all they had to do was smooth it out and continue to write over it. The Mesopotamian Temple on the other hand was known to be very high up. It was planted with trees in relation with mountains, so that the Gods would visit the Earth Planet and Priest would climb high up to worship it.

Reflection # 6

About 30,000 years ago writing was first considered to be different symbols. It represented symbols like woman, sun, hand, feet and so on. Later on Sumeria began to evolve these symbols into sound, creating somewhat of an alphabet. Then pre-writing was created by small clay tablets called Cuneiform. They were used for describing farmer supplies or records of land.

In addition, true writing has been discovered in the Sumeria Cuneiform after 3000BC. Writing then began to evolve to people in Southwest Asia including Egyptians, Elamites, and the Cretans. But Chinese writing is yet to be debated. It is believed that Chinese writing came out after the Sumeria; they created their own writing system independently. Til this day Chinese syllables are written how it sounds.
Writing allowed us to remember and look back throughout our history. It allowed famous writers to express themselves in ways that could not be easily spoken. Some people say they can express themselves through writing better than to be face to face in front of a person. It helps you express and represent yourself how you want to be portrayed as person. Writing can go from love letters, famous plays, friendship letters, break ups, or even a long term relationship. Writing also allows artist now in days to express and re leave feelings they feel and contain within; it's a feeling of liberty that allows you to think outside the box and go beyond from what is called normal. Writing gives us imagination without no limit.
In addition, most important of all writing made history become alive. It showed us facts we couldn't be able to see or live. It described different type of cultures, marked history on important dates, even allowed us to believe what we want to believe. From different type of religion, to crucial ceremony's and described how things went down back in the days. Writing allowed us to expand our minds and knowledge from the ordinary.

Reflection # 5

As humans we create our own path by choosing our own culture, beliefs, and theory's. Rite of passage allows us to learn threw a learning cycle. Back in the day's people us to go through rituals in order to become from nothing to something, from one role to another higher position, even to become from a little boy to a man. Some of the things they had to do in order to reach their goal were just too crucial for my taste. Like the reading "The Sambia" said, little boys went through a stage of initiation having to be homosexual with other older males. This ritual was set so that they can prove and learn to become strong males and produce lots of semen, for the purpose to create his own family and have his own wife in the inner future.

On the other hand, for girls ripping off their clitoris was a sign of childhood to adulthood. The young girl must not show any signs of fear while preparing her for this special ceremony. That's just insane to me; I think I would be crying my eyes out from beginning to end. They even had a special dance and song called, Mambura.

Therefore, men and woman from birth were born with a purpose, which was developed through these kinds of ceremonies. Ceremonies to them were the high light in their life where they are placed in a stage of higher learning and understanding.

For us now in days, our high school graduation was the high peek we tried reaching all of our lives; what led us to the real world and prepared us for what is to come. Also, it could even be the celebration of a Bar Mizpha, what makes a boy transform into a young man. Even the celebration of Quincianera, which in Spanish means 15's. In my culture it's the celebration of a little girl transforming into a young lady. These rituals are what prepare us mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Cultural is the center piece of all rite passage, like I said in the beginning, it's what we believe in and follow.

Reflection # 4

What I have learned on Early Human Phylogeny is how amazing we have come to evolve from time to time. The earliest humans to be found were the Homo Habilis, because of the tools that were made by them. But one of the first human fossils ever to be found along side Europe were named the Homo Erectus; which had a thick cranial wall and its skull was shaped very long. Then you have the Homo Ergaster, unlike the Homo Erectus their bones were much thinner in the skull. Also, the group in which we belong to would have to be the Homo Sapiens. Homo Sapiens were discovered in France, they were named to be tool makers, hunters, and very talented artists. To show for their talent, caves have been filled with their art skills in places like Altamira.

Furthermore, what I have found most remarkable would have to be the story of small little Lucy. She was discovered in 1974, being only three feet and eight inches tall. She belongs to the group called Australopithicus Afarensis, which were considered closer to apes. But what was so peculiar about Lucy was the way her pelvis and hip joint were, it showed that she walked straight just like a human would. Although her head, height, and brain size described a chimp. Headlines grew and made remarkable little Lucy a popular historical figure.

Now moving on to another historical figure has to be the story of African Eve. It is said to be that all humans were evolved from one Homo Sapien in Africa. DNA Mitochondria Eve was chosen for this study because only females carried Mitochondria from their fertilized eggs, which transmitted a new baby being born. As a result, you can trace back all their ancestors. But it is said to be by scientist, results can be different depending on the way the information was entered on the computer program. So as you can see we still have much to learn and have a whole lot of information to uncover.

As a conclusion, this information has not affected the way I believe or see things. I was raised in a Catholic church so I will always stand by that. Has it raised questions in my head? Yes of-course. It's always good to learn and see things from a different angle. Til this day eyebrows are being raised in different cases, questions yet are to be answered. I believe we never have the full answers to every single thing in life. We just have to continue to live and learn.

Reflection # 3

If I could go back to elementary and secondary school again, the approach I would like my teachers to make would have to be The Social Action Approach. This approach means that students can make big decisions based on important artifacts, which may cause an effect and also make a difference. It allows you to expand your mind and really think outside the box. Students have the chance to really learn about true live issues and give them the opportunity to do something about it. So not only would they begin learning important facts from such an early age. But they would also begin to interact with their other peers. This allows them to get a chance to get to learn different cultures and race about each other; the chance to socialize and acknowledge something they're not use to hearing in their everyday life. Maybe people wouldn't be as oblivious or close minded to other options or obstacles put in-front of them.

I remember back in elementary and secondary school my classes use to be very multicultural. We had all type of race in our classes, blacks, whites, and most of all Hispanics. I guess you can say we had all kind of animals in this crazy jungle. But of course, those who did not speak English had to be divided into another classroom which in my day was called ESOL. I was one of those students whose first language was Spanish and now I was required to learn English. My classes were very easy, and being put in a place where other students were in my shoes, made me feel comfortable. By the time I reached first grade I was put into regular classes with all the others. I can remember always having different holiday celebrations, Hispanic Heritage Week, Martin Luther King Week, the list just goes on. Any holiday always got a full week celebration.

I would honestly consider my experience in elementary and secondary school being much of The Contribution Approach. We always had essays based on Heroes and celebrated much of anything. I wouldn't exactly think of my Elementary and Secondary school experience being such a bad thing, there's always room for improvement. But for the most part I am satisfied with the work and teaching our teachers gave us. They were very much involved in anything and everything. And always gave that extra push to get to know one another before judging.

Reflection # 2

The paradigm change and shifts are ways in which each one can interpret differently. The evolution of man particularly is one main change how man has evolved from the simplicity of living in the bare wilderness to evolving into living in full structured homes. Also, how the developed tools enhanced them to be more efficient and to serve specific purposes for specific works tasks to be done. The evolution of hunting and killing of the animal for survival.
Furthermore, around the ages of homo sapiens people were very ignorant and mindless, they used anything as tools. For example, different type of shaped rocks used for their own purposes like, hammering things or scrappers. Man created their own paradigm as being hunters when they saw the need to hunt food and create clothing from animal skin or what not. So things that seemed unnecessary around them became a necessary matter. They felt more inferior towards animals as their intelligence grew more and more. Then they began making fire and as a result it helped them survive threw cold weather and also helped sharpen many tools.
So as their intelligence began to expand, feelings, thoughts, and opinions began to take off. So the movement of choosing with whom you slept with and share intimate emotions towards the opposite sex began to also evolve. Communication was a big influence in paradigm change, that's where language began to evolve.
As my opinion I think we make our own paradigm and choose what we want to believe in. Its what we've been taught and been brought up as. That's what makes this world still go round. Each day we used what we've learned in our everyday life. Like the reading said, its about accepting ourselves and doing what truly makes us happy. Finding happiness and in doing whatever it takes to achieve it.

Reflection Paper # 1

Teaching has not always been respected or admired, til this day we still have the typical stereotype that teachers get paid too little or is not considered a professional career. Back in the 1900's, teachers were known to be more woman than men; because of the low paid salary given. They literally got paid no more than $75 dollars a month. But whats even more insane is the rules they had to obtain if they wanted to be come a teacher. One of the many rules they had was that they could not be seen with other men in public, unless it was their brother or father. They also could not wear too much make up, nor dye their hair, ride in cars with men, even had to wear long dresses so no skin would be revealed. I'm taking back a second to think about these rules and it just seems preposterous to me. I have hundreds of hair color on my head and like to show off a little skin now and then, when needed. And I just picture myself living in 1900's and think, would I even have the same desire to become a teacher like i do now? Probably not.
But to them it seemed normal, to us now in days it seems weird. That's how this world goes around with time, it developed its own different kind of beliefs. Furthermore, before teachers were only required to have a two year training program. But in the 1980's it took a 90 degree turn to shape up training in education. One of the ones who went along with this movement were known as The Holmes Group, who sent out reports along with others trying to gain more respect in teaching preparation and professionalism. A lot of colleges complied with increasing more hard work and professionalism while others remained the same. They've also discussed the matter of having more skills and higher standers in achieving a higher teaching license. For example, going through different exams and having to have your own portfolio. Now in days teachers have either a Bachelors or Masters degree.
Moreover, one of the most helpful programs that you can take is the Teach For America program, as said in chapter 1. It allows you to have a hands on experience and as a result, you would become a better teacher with a more welcoming positive attitude towards the field.

Introduction

Hello my name is Kiara Jessenia Amador. I'm majoring in Early Childhood Education. I love anything that involves children and would love to be apart of their early stages in life. My goal is to inspire, impact and really be a role model for small children. Not that cliche type of best friend or acting cool kind of adult. I would like to be fun and admiring to them. What children learn in their early stages in life really takes a tole in what their going to become later on in the future.
My plan is to teach them everything from their manners, alphabets, to colors and shapes their going to learn before they reach kindergarten and first grade. The sooner they start out comprehending and learning, the better and easier its going to be for them later on. I would like to work with kids in the age range of 3 through 8. I also plan to open my own nursery school for children to have the opportunity to expand their knowledge.

I would be perfect for this career because I've worked with small kids before and loved every second of it. I also come from a big family from having 6 and now 14 little cousins, so id have to say I know my ways around their thoughts and actions. Like they always say, practice makes perfect. I just believe a child's learning is crucial from birth til 4. And it would make me feel like a better person if I had to do something with their learning, and helped them out in some way. From their social, emotional, and even playing and bonding skills, I'm willing to take that risk. Life is about taking risks after all.

So as a Conclusion, I'm really excited about taking this class, hopefully I can get a lot out of it. The teachers seems GREAT and so do the students so I'm thrilled about starting this learning process. Although it seems a little challenging, I've always liked to challenge myself at times. In the end it will show whos strong enough for this career or not.