Nicholas Anderson

EDU 2010

FINAL REFLECTION

To what extent have you met the course outcomes? How have you demonstrated and/or developed
this learning?

I feel that I have met all the course outcomes for this class. In the category of exploring
educational practices, I am aware of the roles of teachers and learners by field experience as well as
discussions and homework done in class. The foundation for understand both categories is important
but at the same time straight forward. As a teacher the learner is who I want to educate information to.
By understanding standards, curriculum, assessment, and classroom management I can create an
environment student want to learn in as well as have them be excited to take that material outside of
the classroom and tell their families about what they have learned. Under the category of analyzing
current educational issues, I think I can apply this mostly to field work based on the COVID-19 pandemic
and how most schools are teaching virtually. I see the benefits and disadvantages to being able to
maintain a virtual classroom as well as the additional time and learning educators must endure to make
sure they have the proper tools at their fingertips to be successful at virtual learning.

Developing the foundation skills of reflective practices has helped me outline what I wish to
accomplish as a teacher by hands on experience and seeing it with my own eyes. Though the virtual
learning environment is the only system I can learn at this time, it gives me an advantage for my future if
the education system becomes more virtual based in the future. I see the positives and the negatives
based on student behavior, technology issues based on internet connectivity, but aside from that the
fieldwork portion has given me a taste of what to expect, and I’ve enjoyed it very much. The next
outcome I would like to talk about is evaluating personal commitment to a teaching career. I am
committed to the profession. When I start my day, I am excited to observe the 3 rd grade class I am doing
my fieldwork with. I enjoy getting to learn the same lessons they do as it gives me ideas for how I want
to run my classroom someday. I can dedicate my time to doing something I enjoy and wish I had done
earlier than I am now. I have demonstrated a professional attitude, I take responsibility, and am
emotionally mature to continue in this program.

I have been able to examine key aspects of the teaching program in various ways. Through some
of the other courses I am currently taking by having assignments that revolve around the common core
standards. I have been able to use these in projects as well as being able to identify the standards in my
fieldwork. In the assessment category I have seen how the testing process works using online tools such
as classkick, and nearpod for evaluation. The teacher will read the question in the subjects they are
learning that day two or three times as well as go over the answers while they are taking the assessment
to make sure all levels of student learning are covered. I have been able to look over lesson plans and
follow along with the students throughout the course of the week and what they have learned. I get the
same access to content as the students, so I do not only see through the student’s eyes but also that of
the instructor.

I genuinely feel that this course has helped me with a preview of what to expect when I am out
on my own. There is a lot of good and useful information in every lesson that we have covered
Nicholas Anderson

throughout this course and a lot of discussions that reveal useful tools to be able to be a successful
educator. Most of the recommended books that were recommended by Mr. Bailey I ended up
purchasing and am glad I did because some of the activities in the recommended books have helped me
create a lesson on the lesson based projects in other classes.

How has this course changed your thinking about education and educators?

This course has helped me see just how important educators are. Though that only really goes
to cement it in stone. As I have done internship teaching in high school, it was nice to explore the field
more than just teaching. The ability to do the fieldwork was a great asset to this course because as we
learned lessons during our lectures I could go out into the field and apply what I have learned where it
was possible. Some of the lessons we have learned in class that would not apply to a classroom setting
off the bat I was able to do some research on what appealed to me most. I want to be a part of the
education system because the things I read about in the news and see in the classroom only makes the
challenge of change that more intriguing. I believe I have the necessary skills to change schools for the
better by being an educator and perhaps one day more than just an educator.

Has this course changed your professional goals? How and why?

I am a manager at an all-volunteer railroad. I am the first in my family to have any interest in the
railroad and this has been my job in 2014. In 2019, I became the manager knowing I am the person to
make the changes for the better within the organization. As I have now been introduced to education,
my professional goals have shifted from wanting to be the manager with the railroad to being something
more important, an educator. Granted I will probably remain on as the manager as my job does have
teaching elements to it, I think the school system has more the offer. I wish I had remained in the
education system my first go around in college. I am proud to be a future educator because it is an
exciting and rewarding career.

What are your strengths and weaknesses and a prospective teacher?

With strengths and weaknesses, I will list three each, and why I feel this way about them.

My strengths: attention to detail, creativity, and professionalism.

First, we will talk about attention to detail, and that kind of also flows into creativity. When I am tasked
with an assignment, I like to think I can make it fun and exciting. For example, when creating a calculator
activity for my math course I found this thing called calcuword. It’s a calculator-based activity that
requires you to solve math problems with a calculator, turn the calculator upside down and if you’ve
done the math correctly, you’ll find the work it spells out. It is a creative way to get students to want to
learn about math tools on top of educating them in the four main math operations of addition,
subtraction, division, and multiplication. Lastly is professionalism, I like to present myself as someone
who is serious about what I do, I want to make sure that people take me for what I am. Someone who is
Nicholas Anderson

going to represent my company in a positive light, a place where others want to visit and gain
knowledge and have an enjoyable time.

My weaknesses: shyness, time management, and staying on task

I can often be shy, if someone does not start the conversation first, I am usually the one
struggling for the words to come out so something in said amidst the silence. I know I can break this as I
have done it before. When I first started working at the railroad, I was shy, but I broke out of my shell
and climbed the ranks to become a respected manager. Time management is another weakness, I like to
put things off until the last minute because the pressure of completing an assignment when I am
running out of time can sometimes give me the best ideas. Lastly, staying on task. I tend to get
distracted often when I am trying to focus on one thing. At times, other unexpected projects will pop up
and I will get lost in what I am trying to do.

What are the three key questions that will shape the next steps of your professional education
preparation?

1. Will I be able to teach an uncontrollable classroom?

2. Is this content appropriate?
3. Will I be able to grade essays to where I understand what exactly I am looking for content wise?