Running head: CRITICAL REFLECTION ESSAY

Critical Reflection Essay

Theresa Waggoner
Brandman University
LBSU- 487
Dr. Melanie Borrego
11/5/2016

CRITICAL REFLECTION:

Through the course of an educational journey, each student is met with their own trials
and tribulations individual to ones self and optimum life goals. This is due primarily to the fact
that schoolwork is not an easy choice, but a wise one that will promise a student not only a
wealth of knowledge aimed directly at their targeted degree but also in many different aspects of
their life. Looking back on my own academic journey I can clearly see the positive consequences
that have trickled down impacting me greatly over the past few years changing who I am as a
person. As my exploration into the world of achieving a bachelors degree comes to a close. I am
left with the ability to reflect on the changes that have been made, and the positive values that
learning has instilled into my life and work. Upon review of the most pivotal assignments that I
have completed with Brandman; I am able to reflect on my education journey, as well as reflect
upon what I have learned in the Applied Studies program.
While attending school there were various classes that shifted how I originally felt about
certain issues, forcing me to challenge my own thoughts and opinions. An example of this can be
seen when looking into my Emotional Literacy Plan, in which I was challenged to look deeper
into the Social Emotional Competence in Early Childhood Education. For most of my life, I had
always considered myself a natural with children. I was babysitting at an early age, went into the
field of education as well as well as experienced child rearing first hand within my personal life.
This gave me the confidence to handle the many emotional struggles that children face in their
daily lives. Looking deeper into this topic I was able to not only build upon my instinctual
abilitys yet also learn how to design support to meet childrens individuals emotional needs, as
well as how to design a physical space in which supports young childrens awareness of their
own and others emotions, both of which I have found instrumental to my success as an educator.

CRITICAL REFLECTION:

Understanding how to relate to a child is imperative to a successful learning environment. Yet

through self-reflection through this assignment I was able to conclude that natural abilities are
simply not enough. One must also be knowledgeable in how to cultivate and awaken a childs
ability to be self-aware into their emotions, as well as that of those around them.
Although learning the complexity of a childs emotions is of crucial importance fully
comprehending the intricate balance of childhood relationships is also key to becoming a wellrounded educator. With Brandman requiring their Applied Studies students to look closer into
developing a Responsive Relationship Plan further challenges future educators to consider each
student's instrumental relationships with that of adults. This knowledge builds on the ability to
closely examine what each child may need based largely off of the support in which they are
receiving from the key individuals in their lives.
Furthermore Applied Studies challenged me in terms of the expectations of schools
nationwide. An example of this can be found in the current expectation of teachers, in which they
are expected to teach a student with special needs along with those who are considered general
population students. Those on the path of education are required to take classes and training on
what to expect and how to handle students that are intergraded into the classroom. This was
especially beneficial in supplying me with the confidence to teach my classroom as a whole
without the fear of providing an unbalanced classroom atmosphere, thus being trained in special
education will help me to create a community conducive to helping all my students meet their
academic and behavioral goals.
Having prior experience as an early education provider gave me an in-depth look as well
as experience that I needed in order to assure myself that continuing on the path of education was
a well-suited goal for my personality. Working with the children one on one taught me that

CRITICAL REFLECTION:

teaching requires passion, diligence, and sensitivity all of which are strong traits in which I
possess. This being said gaining a deeper understanding through the Applied Studies program
also gifted me with the ability to profoundly understand the role that Leadership and Professional
ethics plays in the classroom. By providing myself with the comprehensive knowledge of the six
stages of moral development I as an educator am able to comprehend the actions of difficult
students, as well as now understand how to act with ethics in relation to whatever event may
transpire.
Becoming an educational student within the Applied Studies program gave me the skills
and the fortitude to take my natural born teaching abilities and combine them with the
knowledge, resources, and tools that Brandman's educational system has to offer. As I near the
end of my education with Brandman and begin to mentally prepare for entering the classroom, I
understand that teaching takes much more the three noted characteristics above but also calls for
a broad understanding of subject matter, and the individualized standards put in place for each
student. Furthermore, knowledge of discipline and classroom management techniques all of
which I have acquired while attending Brandman are essential tools needed to succeed in the
teaching workforce.
I believe that critical reflection has a lot of value in both learning and career development.
Critical reflection is important to be personally because it allows me to reflect back on what I
already know while allowing me to learn from my mistakes and to grow from those experiences.
Reflection also allows me to take the time to add on to the experience I did right.It allows me to
reflect on changes that I have made and it allows me to question things such my values opinions
and beliefs and simply why I believe and do what I do.Critical reflection is a time for learning,
understanding your mistakes, as well as your accomplishment and owning them. it allows us to

CRITICAL REFLECTION:
understand no one is perfect, and you're never too old to grow, change and discover new
opportunities.