Blog in the Field

Once I graduate I plan on teaching math in a middle school. I found this awesome blog which gives some great ideas about teaching math in the classroom. The author of this blog goes so far in detail he or she even has down the the last minute of the class  period planned out on what that classroom will do before a test.

Not a lot of people enjoy math but this author and I seem to be on the same page. The author gets excited when he or she sees math on tv shows or movies! Showing students these clips or images can help them realize that math isn't just in our own classroom but also out in the world. Students sometimes think that math doesn't apply to them because they don't want to grow up and be a mathematician or a scientist or a construction worker, basically they think they will never use math ever again once they are done with school.

This blogger shows multiple ways about how math can be related to a students life. One example is cooking. The blogger brings in ingredients to bake a cake and then tells the students they must now try to describe how to make the cake without using numbers or any measuring utensils. I think this is a simple example of how math is used in our everyday life.

Technology in Education

I think that technology has a huge role to play in the classroom. Teachers can use technology to help adapt the lesson to better fit a child's learning needs. Technology can also increase a child's interest in a particular subject. I think that there are countless ways technology can be implemented in the classroom. I also believe that technology should be used to enhance instruction and not take away from it.

Smart Boards can replace traditional chalk or white boards in a classroom. These screens can be connected to the teacher's computer as well as the school's internet connection. There are plenty of interactive lessons which can be done on this board in subjects such as spelling, science, math just to name a few.

Another way to implement technology into education is to have students set up or receive a school email account! This way teachers can send students reminders about upcoming homework assignments or test or projects. This tool will also give students a way to contact their teacher while not in school in case there is a question about an assignment.

At first introducing technology into the classroom will be a little bit of a struggle but once a teacher eases into it and becomes more familiar with how to use technology the possibilities are endless!

Teaching Philosophy

As an educator I believe all students have the ability to learn. My goal is to try and reach each student each day and make a positive impact in their lives as a student and as person. My classroom is place of respect, where there are no "dumb questions" and all ideas and insights are welcome. I expect my students to treat me and their fellow mates with the the same respect that I will treat them with. 

In my classroom I plan to implement Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences. I believe that everybody learns a little differently and that there is no one right way to teach. I plan to incorporate the eight different intelligences into my classroom and will plan my lessons around with these in mind. 

About Me!

My name is Taylor and I am studying Elementary Education with a math minor at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. After graduation I hope to teach mathematics in a middle school somewhere in Wisconsin. I love being around kids and couldn't be more excited to become a teacher!

When I'm not studying I love being outside! It doesn't matter what season it is, one can find me in the vast outside world around us. Being around the water is one of my favorite things. I start sailing as soon as the ice melts and sail until the lakes freeze over again. Besides from sailing I enjoy kayaking, canoeing, water skiing, and swimming!  I also can be found taking a hike through the woods or in the winter months ice skating or downhill skiing.

I am also a theater geek! I love attending plays and musicals at the Performing Arts Center. In high school I was apart of ever production doing many different things ranging from sound and lights to set designer, to stageimanaging. Currently I'm not working on any shows but I still enjoy volunteering my time to help out in my community's summer productions or at various theaters in the Fox Cities.