The Students Make It All Worth It

Today was my favorite day of my Level 1 Field Experience yet, and it was all because of the students. I got to experience what it feels like to be "in the zone" as a teacher for the first time ever through helping the students with multiplying double digit numbers, and through working on their essay writing with them. I got to see the students go from "I can't do it," to "I did it!" all in a matter of 40 min. It was a GREAT reminder of why I'm spending hours upon hours working on homework, and why I strive to be a teacher.


I have been so fortunate to develop relationships with almost all of the students in the classroom in just 6 short weeks. I love the way they all have personalities and passions that make them so special, and I can see that they all learn in their own ways. Knowing them makes me excited to become a teacher because I know that there are so many awesome kids just like them out there, and many who don't know how awesome they are yet. I want to show kids that they can do anything they set their mind to when it comes to school, and that their futures matter!

"Kid President's Pep Talk to Teachers and Students!"

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Image: Iowa Clipart for Schools

Thank you Shannon Miller

This past Friday, in my Ed Tech & Design class, we were given the privilege to have Shannon Miller, an expert in using technology to connect students to the world in their classrooms, come and share about her experiences in using technology in her class. She talked about how in her school library, she used all kinds of technology to promote learning, collaboration, new experiences, and ultimately to give her students a Voice in their learning.

She shared many stories about students and their experiences, but the thing that sticks out to me the most, is that Shannon made it all possible. She truly gave her students the platform and opportunity to do some incredible things by working hard, and by taking the student's passions and making them her own. I was inspired by the fact that she was able to get so many different authors to Skype with her classes about their favorite books, simply by reaching out to them via Twitter, or email, or Facebook. This shows her dedication and commitment to giving her students every possible opportunity to be apart of something greater, and to connect with the outside world.

It's easy to give up on something when it seems like it cannot be done, and I think most people would consider it impossible to get a well-known author to Skype with kids in a random school in Iowa, but she didn't think like that, and something amazing came out of it.

When I become a teacher, I want to do whatever it takes to give my students a way to connect to the world and to explore uncharted waters. I want them to have experiences that they'll remember and use as a foundation in their learning for the rest of their lives.

Thank you Shannon Miller for your inspiration, and your dedication to empowering the next generation.

Image by: Jamie Becker