This semester has been another growth experience for me. Children’s Literature is the one class that I looked forward to. I love reading children’s books. Growing up I never liked to read. I think because it was a requirement instead of a treat. Now that I am grown and have children of my own I love collecting and reading children’s books. Even when I travel, I always seem to come back with children’s books. This is an ongoing learning process, an adventure into the way children…older, and younger, think. To be able to write on my growth in the classroom as it applies to UNM and my life, is an opportunity to break my experience down by using the four major strands of work and the five dimensions of learning, as used in our outline.

            The first strand of work is communication. This is an area that I have learned that part of being a great communicator, is being a great listener. I learned to listen to other’s experiences and interpretations of subject matter, to fully grasp the ideas that surround me. To listen is to learn, is something that I always tell my students. I listen when I am absent of any knowledge of the subject, but have the urge to speak when I have experience of the knowledge being taught. I feel as if I could talk through a subject, I can understand it better.

            The next strand is research. Research is a large part of the learning process.  Research is the way we gain better knowledge of a subject matter. I think that research is so easily available today. The internet and the varieties of sites that lend to research that can be done in all corners of the world. This brings me to the next point.

            Technology is the next of the four major strands of work. This is my weakest area within all of the strands. I have tried to gain more knowledge in this area. Creating a web page last semester and continuing it through this semester has been helping me with this area. It has built my confidence tremendously. Technology is a major component in today’s classroom. Many times our fears of technology hold us back from being better teachers.

            The final strand is collaboration. It is important to gain a better understanding of others knowledge. The area of collaboration that I have learned most is in working with other students on special projects with other students. Listening and collaborating are important steps in the learning experience.  When I was a student my teacher told us what we thought, and how we needed to learn she never asked us what we thought, or how we learned best. I use this as a lesson for how I want to be different as a teacher. Having my students feel important and a part of their learning process is one of my number one priorities as a teacher.

            My confidence and independence have increased just by teaching and gong into the educational program at UNM. Practice has surly helped me to feel comfortable with teaching. Being in many different classrooms and grade levels has helped as well. I think that as long as we remember that we can make a difference by using positive teaching methods, we can succeed and move past our fears in the classroom.

            I feel that the knowledge I have gained in the UNM program has been priceless. The writing program, science, reading 1 and 2, creating web pages, social studies, psychology, math, all of our group discussions, and lectures and lesson plans have all bolstered my knowledge that I can use in my own classroom. My experience thus far has been a true confidence builder.

            The skills and strategies dimensions of learning have been the most valuable to me. Learning how to use different methods and processes in writing have been the most beneficial to me. Using writing processes such as: the six traits, the four square approach, and the web outline and journaling.

            The part of this class that I have enjoyed the most is working with the reading groups at Tibbetts as well as reading more children’s books. Using the examples of readings in everyday lessons have added that extra punch that was needed for greater student understanding of the subject that we are covering. Taking experiences, that I have learned is the best way that I can grow as an educator.

I have grown in my knowledge and understanding of the classroom environment, and in the understanding of other cultures, and teaching methods. Having students with a multitude of backgrounds and cultures is a lesson in and of itself. I have grown greatly by shared knowledge and experiences of others. What we take from each other and the students that we have worked with determines what kind of teacher we are to become.

            In reflecting on my experiences thus far, I would have to say that I have truly gained much knowledge in all of my classes. Working with the level of lessons, and projects that we have has helped me to grow tremendously as both a student and a teacher. As I have stated before, I will take from this experience and continue to push myself in the on-going, never ending learning process.

If I were given a grade on knowledge learned, to date, I would give myself an A+.

I know that I have worked hard to maintain a level of professionalism within this class. I feel my area of weakness is working in a timely manner I have defiantly overloaded my plate in taking four classes, teaching, and maintaining a family life. I will continue to work on my organizational and time management skills. If I were to be graded today, I would hope for a grade of A. The plus is gone because; I feel that my dedication to work in a timely manner can be improved. I hope that the last part of this term, I can show improvement in this area. I plan on using the Easter break to work ahead and to fine tune my web page.

If there were anything that I would like to see changed in this section, it would be more time at Tibbets in the classroom. Because I like to be in the classroom, I think that I would like more classroom time. I would also like to have a type of book club discussion of the books that we are reading, maybe even a book borrowing/trade time.