Shadd Minchow EDU 221-001/Spring 2014 Career Development Profile: My name is Shadd Michael Minchow.

I am 20 years old and I reside in Thornton, Colorado. I am pursuing a teaching career; hopefully, I will become a middle school teacher. I am a loving and empathetic. I know what its like to have a bad teacher. I dont want to be a bad teacher. In order to track my progress as a teacher I will write a career development profile to show what I want to do as of right now, 4/12/14: 1. Based on what you have read and discussed in this class, what do you want to learn more about in terms of history, politics, philosophy, sociology, etc. related to public education in the US? a. How will you learn this? Create a plan for this learning. I am very interested in learning more about the history of teaching. I want to immerse myself within literature in regards to teaching. The more I can read others points of views, the more I will be able to understand the art and profession of teaching. I am totally a people person. One of my favorite hobbies is to people watch. Theres so much diversity in our country. Its truly amazing that so many people from so many different cultures can come together in one place, and for the most part, we all get alone. Once I finish school for my English Degree, I will continue to exhibit the qualities of a lifelong learner. The thing that will teach me the most is real teaching experience. I cant wait to start teaching just to start getting experience, continuing to learn grown, and hopefully I will be able to make an impact on someones life

2. Based on what you have observed in your practicum/ observation, what do you want to explore in more depth? a. How will you do this? As I have completed my practicum observation at Century Middle School, my host teacher Ellen Reffel, has introduced me to a few topics in which she was most interested in, and these things have become topics I want to learn more about. As a new teacher I would like to take part in new teacher orientation programs, in order to learn from their experiences, and to also learn more about teacher approaches. I would like to learn more about IBMYP(International Baccalaureate Middle Year's Programme). I would also like to learn more in depth about integrating a program called Kagan in my class. This is a program where teachers group students together based on their test scores. Theyll sit a high score, a middle high score, a low score, and a middle low

score. This brings balance to the kids in the classroom. What one kid doesnt know, another kid does know. It produces collaboration

3. What books do you want to read? What websites do you want to explore? a. Create a reading list. I was born a natural reader. Ive always loved reading from authors like Chaucer, and Shakespeare to modern day authors like Chuck Palahniuk, and Steven King. I love to read, but I love to write more. My practicum teacher introduced me to some literature. A book about the Kagan program, a book called, Being a New Teacher. And one more book entitled, Teach like a Champion. I want to try to read as much literature regarding teaching as possible. I will also use online resources such as the website p21 to find out more about the teaching profession.

4. Looking forward to your teacher education program at your transfer institution, what topics or subjects do you want to study in more depth? When I first started this assignment, I was majoring in Elementary Education. As the semester progressed I realized I actually want to teach middle school English. Im going to change my major to English, earn my associates from Front Range, and then transfer to Metro State University . I want to learn how to effectively teach kids how to read and write, all while introducing my children to other literature that will open their minds to become divergent thinkers. I want to learn how differentiate between special education students, and students that are just a little behind in their educational journey. Im also very interested in sports journalism. Im the biggest Denver Broncos fan youll ever meet. Id love to be a teacher and writer for the rest of my life.

5. Thinking about your first two or three years as a classroom teacher, what do you want to focus on? My first three years as a teacher I really want to learn how to connect with my kids. Connecting with your kids can be the difference of them showing up and trying, and them ditching and slacking off. I want to focus on being prepared, and learning how to plan lessons accordingly. I

want to integrate technology while still focusing on a face to face learning environment. I will be focusing on getting used to things as an educator. I just want to be the best person I can be. I want to make kids eager to learn. Most importantly I want to learn how to handle day to day activities; good or bad.

6. What are your plans for your continuing education during your first five years of teaching? (college courses, graduate program, workshops, conferences, reading, etc.) I plan to finish my associates for English at Front Range Community College, after that I hope to transfer to Metro State University to earn my B.A. in English, at Metro Im sure thats where I will have to actually student teach, hopefully I can get Mrs. Reffel to let me teach her classes. I will then get licensed to become a teacher. At this moment in time I think I want to start out as a substitute teacher. I will continue to go to school and hopefully become a master teacher. I also wouldnt mind being a football coach. I want to go back to school eventually for journalism. When I first become a teacher I will be sure to go to new teacher workshops and training sessions. I will do anything I can do make myself a better teacher.

7. What professional organizations have you considered joining and why? (See the appendix section of your textbook. Its page 491 of the 14th edition.) If I join any professional organizations, I would want to join an organization for the school district I teach in.

8. As you grow as a classroom teacher, what other possibilities have you considered in terms of positions within an education setting? (Administrator, curriculum specialist, reading specialist, mentor, master teacher, etc.)

As I progress in my teaching career I would like to become a mentor, a master teacher, a coach, and a reading specialist.

9. What goals would you like to set for yourself as an educator? a. How will you measure your progress toward these goals? (In other words, how will you know if you have been successful?) My goals as an educator are simple, but at the same time harder to accomplish than it sounds. I want to make an impact on somebodys life. I want to be a genuinely good person no matter what. I want to be a loving, critically-thinking teacher. I want to be able to decide where I teach; in a rural area? an urban area? What about A suburban area? Do I Want to teach low or high need kids? Only experience will tell me. I wont be able to measure whether or not my goals were successful until later on down the road. If I can make lifelong connections with kids, I will feel successful. Making an impact on a persons life is the whole reason I would like to teach.