Merit Pay Journal Response

February 8, 2013

I believe merit pay can have a place in the educational field as long as it can be administered fairly.  I realize that “can merit pay be administered fairly?” is the million-dollar question.  I would like to think that most schools operate with a rational Principal and that this system can work in a way that will benefit those who are most deserving. As a parent, when I consider some of the teachers my children have had in their middle school experience, I definitely wish some of them could be financially compensated for their outstanding teaching skills.  A great teacher can inspire a student to do so much more than they realize.  I also have seen teachers that have not been effective educators and what that does to a child’s enthusiasm for the subject.  The teachers that are most passionate and dedicated to sparking the interest of today’s technologically savvy children are the most highly qualified and therefore worth more than those who distribute daily worksheets and recite lesson out of the textbook.  For the most part, today’s children want to be active and inspired learners, I truly believe the most valuable teachers instruct with this in mind.  It would be excellent for the teaching profession if more bright and creative individuals were drawn to educational careers. Merit pay could help this cause.

I would like to think I would be the kind of teacher who would benefit from pay based on my efforts in the classroom.  I would like to be a teacher who connects with students and treats them with the same respect I would like them to treat me with.  I want to be a teacher who goes beyond the daily requirements of the job description and cares about my students. It seems as if children are dealing with more and more distractions outside the classroom, keeping educational information fresh and motivational is a way to encourage students to learn. Teachers who are going the extra mile to achieve results should be valued and retained. Merit pay is an excellent way to do this.  

At Home Journal Response #1

AEDU 203

January 21, 2013

            I want to become a teacher for several reasons. Some are sensible; I’m a 42-year-old woman, going back to school to earn my bachelors degree. I have to reasonable in what I am able to accomplish while still maintaining my responsibilities to my family, which are important to me.  On the personal side, I feel being a teacher is something I should have pursued in the first place.  I believe I would be a great teacher, I am good with kids and I find it fun being around them, helping them, and I also learn a lot from them as well.

            The personal characteristics I have that I feel would be positive attributes for teaching are patience, honesty, caring and that I am goal oriented.  I believe in setting a good example for children and I have high expectations for myself.  I also believe we can learn from our mistakes and come out of the mistake a better person.  I feel its important for a teacher to help build a child’s self esteem, by showing them what they can accomplish and become.

            I think I am a pretty knowledgeable person. Not in the all-knowing sense, but in the sense that I am willing to admit when I don’t know something, and I know where to find the information I do not know, whether it’s on the internet, doing research, or asking someone. I am willing to admit when I am wrong.  I also believe I have much to learn about being a teacher.

            I love math.  From seeing my own children and their experience in learning math, I believe there is definitely a need in or school systems for good math teachers.  I hope to figure out how to connect with students who struggle in math and help them find a way for it to click for them. 

            I like to think I am patient.  Sometimes I am not.  I do feel I exercise patience when necessary and have more patience for others than I might have for myself.  I definitely like to “streamline” things but get them done properly and timely.  I believe in doing things right the first time.

            I do set realistic and achievable expectations for myself.  I can think of several instances I have set and accomplished tough goals I had set for myself.  I also know my limits and what is a reasonable goal for myself.  One example of a goal was losing weight  after the birth of my children, I went to weight watchers with a friend, and lost 10% of my weight, which was the goal I had set for myself.  Another goal I set was to be a runner and complete a 5K race.  I started slow, gradually increased my distance and eventually reached my goal. Since then I have done several 5K’s and look forward to many more.  I believe by achieving the reasonable goals I set for myself, I can help others set goals for themselves and help them develop a plan to successfully achieve them. 

            I enjoy working with children very much.  Through watching my own boys grow, change, and learn, I learned a lot about myself.  I learned to be more patient and persistent.  I found that children find comfort in consistence and routine.  In knowing what the expectations are, they can be successful.  That by working had they can reach their goals and be proud of themselves.  I believe having my own children also gives me experience in children and how they think and learn, how different they can be, and that no child is the same.  They all have attributes that make their thirst for knowledge different.

            I find it rewarding to help others learn and by helping others in general daily.  I believe we are put on this earth to help others and support each other.  Through my Cub Scout leadership experience I always kept the interest of the Scouts at the forefront of my service.  I have had to deal with adults who lose sight of the importance of a program of this nature, and make it about themselves and their “pride” and it is disappointing to see how it can be to the detriment of the children.   It is a special experience watching the children enjoy and benefit from an activity that you had a large part in organizing.

            I have the mental and physical stamina to teach a classroom full of children for 5 days a week.  I manage to keep up with my boy’s busy schedules, which is an act of constant stamina in itself.  I like to keep busy and try to keep a balance and do things I enjoy as well. Two years ago I became a runner.  Although I’ve paused temporarily due to a foot injury, I am planning to resume in March. I believe making time for the things you enjoy makes you a happier person physically and mentally.