09/05/2023
I was an ELA teacher for many years and in 2013 left the public school system. At the time I was in an M.Ed program at Umass Boston, on a 'classroom' track. Late winter/early spring of that year, I realized it would be my last in the classroom. My career in education was taking my on another path.
One of the factors that pushed me to take that hell of a leap?
I discovered that UMB offered an M.Ed in Learning, Teaching & Educational Transformation. It was a 'choose your own adventure' degree program. I would have the opportunity to forge my own path and focus on what felt incredibly salient at the time...but wasn't really at the forefront of education at that point ten years ago. So, I changed my major, changed my path, changed my trajectory and subsequently changed my future.
My thesis was centered around the intersectionality of high stakes testing/teaching to the test AND exposure to and use of smart technology from a young age. From there I was interested in data/outcomes related to child and adolescent cognitive development as well as critical and creative thinking skills.
How does all of the above impact different student populations and subgroups?
How does all of the above impact a child's emotional/social development?
How does all of the above impact finding a pathway to a fulfilling career and post-secondary journey?
How does all of the above impact development of critical and creative thinking?
(I decided to tack on a graduate certificate in Critical & Creative Thinking bc I was so enthralled in the CCT courses...I truly love being a nerd)
During the first semester of my LTET track, I discovered Sir. Ken Robinson. And I am absolutely a better educator for it.
This TED talk of his? The serendipitous timing with which I discovered this clip absolutely was the turning point that helped me begin to distill what I would focus on in my thesis.
It is 11 minutes and 41 seconds and I still watch every few months or so. (I seriously do.)
If you have school age kids? Watch this.
If you ever felt frustrated that your intelligence wasn't accurately reflected on your report card? Watch this.
Were you a student who felt like a square peg in a round hole? Watch this.
Essentially, just watch this.
In this talk from RSA Animate, Sir Ken Robinson lays out the link between 3 troubling trends: rising drop-out rates, schools' dwindling stake in the arts, and ADHD. An important, timely talk for parents and teachers.
