PGS
Professional Growth and Scholarship
While researching and browsing the web I have come across invaluable resources. I use many of these on a daily basis and often refer my students, colleagues, and friends, to the use of them as well.
Among my PGS favorites are the Schools That Learn Readings and discussion held in class by Dr. Byrne. The discussion of educational reform helped me to see my classroom, my place in the district, and community in a different light (G1-5). I found that I began to veiw the workings of the school and its contributing members, ie. students, parents, teachers, administrators, and community members differently. As a direct result of this, I am more involved in interaction with these contributing members on a variety of levels. I understand that communication and networking to bring the student success is an intergral part of the educational process. One interaction in particular stands out in my mind (G1- 6).
As I was eating dinner in a restauerant 45 minutes from where I teach I was approached by one of my fourth grade students who had been a bit of a discipline problem. She invited me to meet her aunt, who was a member of the organization Artists Alliance of East Hampton. The student informed me she was attending an art opening with her aunt, hosted by the AAEH, the next evening. She and her aunt asked if I'd be interested in attending the event. The student later called me on my cell with all of the pertinent information. The following week I was pleasantly surprised to note how enthusiastic this child was in my class and how much more she contributed to the discussion and applied herself to her work. Because of the connection outside of the classroom and the students willingness to share her interests and connections in the art world we created a connection which enhanced her learning and my involvement in the art community (G1-6).
Another instance which had a profound and direct effect on me, was working on internet safety and awareness over the last few years. After experiencing trouble in my own home with the way adolescents behave when using technology recreationally in the form of Instant Messaging and chat rooms I became interested in this issue. As the issue grew and discussions started between concerned parents, I established contact with my daughter's school social worker, the PTA, the assistant principal, and the police. I came to discover many resources within my community and on-line which addressed this growing concern in the parent community. I attended iSafe training. iSafe is a not for profit organization whose mission is "to educate and empower youth to make their Internet experiences safe and responsible. The goal is to educate students on how to avoid dangerous, inappropriate, or unlawful online behavior." I researched in depth the issue of internet safety and programs such as teenangels and netzsmarts. I have worked to raise awareness of this issue in the East Hampton and Westhampton Beach School District by attending meetings and holding conversations with teachers, administrators and community members (G1-11).
Another resource I found of invaluable use was GLEF, or The George Lucas Educational Foundation, also known as Edutopia.
The George Lucas Educational Foundation encourages and promotes innovative, effective, and exemplary, educational programs in K-12 school systems to help spread these types of teaching practices throughout the nation. Through watching video, reading articles on-line and in Edutopia magazine, and creating discussion boards with other educators for online conversations about educational issue today, I have been able to extend my thinking and become more in tuned with resources and innovation in the field of education(G2-5).
Within the web page attached here you will find links to websites created by my TEAMates and resources for more information on TEAM. These websites cover a variety of subject areas and explore technology in the feild of education today.
For other resources I have found useful in my classroom and which I refer to for in depth information on the use and application of technology both professionally and personally (G1-10), please click on the link to a page I created for PGS that is available here.