Kelli Strange (Siebers)
Looking Ahead: My Future Goals
During my educational journey at Michigan State I was able to choose courses that expanded my knowledge. Those courses and my teaching experiences have helped me become the educator I am today. Although I have l gained knowledge, applied new concepts and learned the importance of understanding and adjusting to each student’s educational and personal situation, I am by no means a finished product. Part of being an effective educator is continuing to learn and grow. Therefore, as I finish my master’s program I find myself wondering “what’s next?”. My first goal is to re-familiarize myself with the academic standards used in Michigan, as I will be looking to secure a teaching position there next year. In addition, I hope to become more familiar with ways to integrate technology into my future classroom and then assist other teachers to do the same. Finally, I plan to seek out professional development opportunities so that I am using current, research-based best practices with my students.
Goal 1: Re-familiarize myself with the learning
standards used in Michigan
During my first two years of teaching in Arizona I was very
familiar with the academic standards for both literacy and
mathematics because both Michigan, where I studied and had my initial classroom experience in elementary education, and Arizona had adopted the Common Core State Standards. Over the past two years, Arizona has been in a transitional period as the state chose to write their own standards, using the Common Core as a foundation but adjusting their expectations for students in both literacy and mathematics. Therefore, as I plan my move back to Michigan to begin my search for a teaching position, I want to ensure I am familiar with the standards that will be guiding my future lessons in all content areas. In order to re-familiarize myself with the academic standards I will be working with in Michigan, I will set aside some time over the summer to study the Common Core State Standards for mathematics and literacy. I will also use the Michigan Department of Education website to research the changes that have been made to other academic areas such as science, social studies and technology over the past four years so I can successfully teach to these standards.
Goal 2: Integrate additional technology use in my classroom
While searching for my next teaching position, I am hoping to find a school and district that understands the important role that technology has in education. Coming from a district where technology integration was underway, I have experience using a SmartBoard, creating online lessons, and working technology-based educational platforms into my kindergarten classroom instruction. I have also used technology during my own education while earning my master’s degree through MSU’s technology-based program, including using Google to collaborate with colleagues, create projects and save work for future use. (Click here to view some websites I have found helpful). Although these experiences have provided me with a solid technological background, I would like to explore additional ways to integrate technology into the classroom by becoming a Google certified educator. By following the training paths Google has provided, I plan to obtain my level 1, Foundational Certification, and then continue by completing the level 2, Advanced Training, program. I believe these trainings will help me integrate technology in my classroom to improve instruction for my students and allowing me to assist my colleagues in their use of technology.
Goal 3: Continue to Grow as a Teacher Leader
As I am in a transitional period of my life, I am not sure what district,
grade, or even position I will hold this upcoming school year. Despite
this uncertainty, I have always put myself in leadership roles and hope
to continue to be a teacher who leads and supports other teachers
wherever I end up. I will seek opportunities to share resources and
research-based practices that I have learned throughout my time as
a student and as a teacher, including sharing my expertise in both
mathematics and literacy instruction in order to support my colleagues and our students. I will also continue to run professional development sessions, mentor new and future teachers, and work hard to have an open door into my classroom. In order to expand my ability to be in leadership roles in the future, I hope to complete the Master of Arts in K-12 Educational Administration Program at Michigan State University so that I am prepared to take on a leadership position in the future.
Although I have identified three goals that will help me continue my educational journey, I know that those goals will not be my last. As the educational field is constantly evolving, my goals will as well. No matter what my future may look like, I know that my overall goal will always remain; to learn and grow as an educator so that I can continue to positively impact the educational and social development of each of my students throughout my career.