Professional Goals, Hopes and Dreams
- What issues regarding quality and early childhood professionals are being discussed where you live and work?
- I volunteer as a cheerleading coach for my stepdaughter's cheer squad. My assistant coach is an elementary school teacher. We were recently talking about how South Carolina is always reported as falling behind other states, but that the standards her students are expected to meet in our state are much higher than the standards they had to meet when she taught in New Jersey. That was surprising to me. How can states be compared to one another if their education standards are different? I think that if this is going to happen, equal standards need to be measured and compared.
- What opportunities and/or requirements for professional development exist?
- The SC Department of Education offers a lot of online professional development opportunities. The self-paced learning modules and courses offered are for 20 or 40 renewal credits. Seven-week courses are also offered each quarter.
- What are some of your professional goals, inclusive of goals related to supporting social equity?
- Some of my professional goals are to fight for more resources for disadvantaged students, specifically children of immigrants and those in the foster care system. I would also like to see more diversity in both public and private schools, with public schools receiving an increase in funding.
- What are some of your professional hopes, dreams, and challenges?
- My hope is that one day, education will be equitable for all children, not just those from higher socioeconomic classes. I dream that education will also one day be more than just "teaching to test." I hope that it grows back into an enjoyable holistic experience. I think that this will be challenging, as our country focuses heavily on easily measurable outcomes, rather than the learning experience itself.
Jamie you have great professionals goals that will make a different in the lives of the children and families that we serve. We need more advocates to speak up for our disadvantaged families.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. Sometimes we are the only ones that are in our students corner.
ReplyDeleteSelf and professional development is indeed important as educators and I applaud you on your goals.
ReplyDeleteI love the fact you are willing to fight for more resources for disadvantaged students. This is amazing because I too love helping all children but especially those in a disadvantaged area. Great Post
ReplyDeleteJamie,
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned that, "South Carolina is always reported as falling behind other states". This topic of standards is surely conversation worthy. Standards have to measured with the same tools. Thanks for sharing the link to the self-paced modules and courses offered for renewal credits. I sure educators can benefit from them.
Jamie, I agree that schools rely too much on graded tests. The majority of these tests that students have to take are matching and multiple choice. These types of tests allow students to guess at answers; therefore, students are taking a chance to see if they will pass these types of tests. I think that teachers should focus on the whole child learning needs and not just academics.
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