From+My+Heart



Dear Dr. Stocker,

Holy cow! What a semester! I have learned so much about myself and what I want over the last four months, and this class has certainly been a great part of that experience. I learned that this is what I should be doing. I am a teacher, and I will be great at this job. I also learned that technology isn't as scary as I thought! Even us technophobes can figure out and productively use web 2.0 and the other tools we used in this class.

I learned that being a teacher isn't that hard, but being a good teacher is, and being a great teacher requires great time and preparation. The projects are great. They are creative, thought provoking, and give students a chance to think outside the box. The important things is that THEY ALL CAN BE DONE. The only reason teachers aren't all doing creative projects is because it takes a great deal of time to set them up. I am ready to take on this challenge.

I am most proud of completing this class. I struggled with a number of personal issues at the end of the semester, but I finished my wiki, and I'm proud of the work I've produced. I love my Hemingway Map using Google Maps, my animoto project, and my digital story. I like feeling that I've been able to manipulate the tools to do what I want, rather than merely using technology for technology's sake.

Next time I write a unit I would be sure to make it flow a little better. I remember you saying to me at the beginning of the semester, "no one does anything well at first," or something along those lines. My scope and sequence will need work in the future, and I'm excited to get into some methods classes and learn more of the nuts and bolts of teaching. From now on, I will work to bring technology into every unit, regardless of subject or age level.

My biggest concern with using technology is staying current. Technology moves and changes so fast, and I want to make sure that I stay current so that my students are not seeing the same tools over and over again. I will work to stay current through continuing education, conferences, and collaboration with other passionate teachers.

Teaching is rife with obstacles. I fear the bored student, the "old guard" teachers and administrators, teaching to the test, and the "classic" curriculum models that are long outdated. I continue to believe the best way to overcome these obstacles is to engage the students, and use every structural challenge to your advantage. As an educator I have worked in basements, storage closets, and lacked basic materials and technology. However, with a little creativity and a LOT of energy you can make it work. As far as curriculum and structure goes, structure is good for me because it keeps me centered. There are always ways to work within a given structure and make it your own.

I am excited and intrigued about everything that has to do with teaching. I love the idea of learning from my students, and getting paid to learn about fascinating new ways to bring knowledge into my class. I'm excited about finding a student that never had any desire to read and finding them a book they read cover-to-cover. I'm excited to see a student that doesn't believe they can succeed do well in my class because I make sure they know they have the ability and all I have to do is light a fire under their ass.

My goal is to teach in the 21st century since that is the century my students live in! I was definitely a 20th century guy before this class, especially since I'm going to be teaching literature. I thought there was only one way to teach reading and writing. However, I see now that with a little creativity I can still use classic literature alongside updated curriculum to meet my 21st century students.

I will make a difference because I make a difference right now. My students at the Boys and Girls Club trust and respect me as I trust and respect them. I have multiple students that told me they hated reading just a few months ago in the library reading almost every day. I have taken a student with high anxiety and (according to a test) a low reading level, have him reading books two levels ahead, and getting 100% on his quizzes. I have a passion for life and education that is unquenchable and contagious. I will take that into the teaching profession and my students, my fellow teachers, and my school will be better for it.

Thank you for everything.

Sincerely,

Clint Eckstein