Yay! I see the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter and brighter with each passing day! I can’t believe we are at the end of this course and the entire program. I am excited beyond words about finishing the Master’s program! This trimester has definitely been intense. I feel like this entire year has been a roller coaster ride for me. Trying to juggle being a mommy of two boys under 5 years, a wife, a professional and excel as a graduate student has proven to be quite the task. There were times when I questioned what I was thinking when I enrolled in the program, but then I would feel like, “I can do this!” and I was back in the game. This program pushed me outside of my comfort zone many times, but I feel like it was then that I learned the most! I feel like I have improved not only as an educator but as an individual. I have new knowledge that I can take back to my classroom and my school sight to share with my colleagues. After teaching for many years at the same school sight, it is easy to fall into a cycles in which you are not learning new things as a professional. This program was the spark I needed to allow me to begin new cycles. New cycles of inquire in which my students benefit and I continue learning new things. I am thankful that I was able to experience this with the members of Cohort 14. We worked so well together that I feel their words of encouragement and feedback with assignments during this last trimester really aided me in my journey.
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As I sit here reflecting on this entire journey, I am glad to see the end in sight. I realize how difficult, yet rewarding it has been to be a part of Cohort 14 and complete my Master’s work through the Innovative Program at Touro University. As I think of Touro’s values and my own, I can see the connection, particularly with the values of intellectual inquiry, discovery, and passion for life-long learning. I truly believe that as educators awe are given the task of instilling in our students a passion for learning because things are easier when you love and have a passion for what you do. In order to be able to effectively complete the task we must have a passion for education and have the desire to be life-long learners ourselves.
I can also see a particular connection with student-centered education, collaboration and sense of community. I am a strong believer of the idea that students learn more and better through student-centered activities and collaboration with peers. Not only do I find this to be true in my own classroom, but also in my personal experience as a Graduate student. There is plenty to learn and teach each other. I also see a strong connection in the values of acceptance and appreciation of diversity. Not only in my classroom, but also in my every-day life, I am an advocate for acceptance and appreciate diversity. I strongly believe that every individual carries an important piece of the puzzle of life. We each bring our own unique experiences to the table and as a result can help others group. Now what? Now that I have accumulated a wealth of knowledge from professors and cohort members, I plan to use it in my classroom. There are so many tools I would like to continue working with to assist my students. I also plan to share my research finding with my administrators and the RTI coordinator at our site. They are the ones who can make decisions about new curriculum and continued use of guided reading curriculum. My capstone will also be shared with them, as well as with colleagues at my school site that will be implementing the Guided Reading curriculum. I think my capstone will assist them in navigating through the new curriculum. |