I'm a college professor and I teach graduate courses in the education department. It's amazing how things turn out - I originally was prepared as an elementary teacher, but accepted my first offer at a middle school. I taught grades 6-8 (language arts and social studies) for five years. During that time, I fell in love with working with middle schoolers! I love how adolescents are constantly trying to figure out how they fit in and how others view them. After five years, I decided to take a leave of absence and start a doctoral program at Boston College. My research focused on specific middle level teacher preparation programs. I was hired at Saint Joseph College to build up their middle level program at the graduate level, but what's happened along the way is just part of the whole journey, I guess. I've also been teaching an elementary science and social studies course and have been reminded how much integrated curriculum benefits students. In the middle school it's easy to get swept away with your content and forget the big picture. Teaching this elementary course has been a revelation for me and makes me wish I had had the opportunity to teach in an elementary school, BUT I think I'd really miss the culture of being with middle schoolers - especially after loading that middle school gossip YouTube clip!
This should be an interesting addition to our semester! I'm just looking and trying to figure out some of the things you can do with this, its pretty cool! Technology....oh boy. It will be fun!
Thanks for adding me!! I've been reading like crazy the past few weeks- I just read the Kite Runner... so powerful!!! It made me want to read the Book Thief again! Any great reads lately? :) I miss you already!!
HI! It's great to hear from you. I hope things are going well. I do work at the same school with Melissa now. She told me they're cutting the middle school program. Too bad...I had fun with it....but that was mainly your doing! Do you have any plans to teach a different class? I hope our paths cross soon too! How's the family doing???? Talk to you soon.
-Stacey
Kerry Stone
Jan 17, 2009
Katie Serafini
Jan 18, 2009
Katie Serafini
Jan 18, 2009
Ashley
And, you better be sharing that book list! :)
Jan 21, 2009
Stacey
-Stacey
Jan 21, 2009