Entry 1

About Me:

I love being active. I enjoy the Great Outdoors and marveling at God's creation. I have a large family with five brothers and 2 sisters. My parents were divorced for 6 years, but got remarried! That was definitely one of the biggest miracles I have ever seen in my life! I graduated from Trinity International University in 2007 with a degree in Christian Ministries. My emphasis was Camp Ministry and Outdoor Education. I am now back at Trinity and have begun my first year in the Masters in Teaching Program.

I have worked as a youth leader for 6 years, served as a camp counselor for 8 years and worked as a soccer coach for 5 years. I love how kids are impressionable and love being able to make a positive impact in their lives. I desire to be a middle school history teacher. I believe every person has the ability to be a historymaker. My hope is to teach my students about the trends and characteristics of the leaders and historymakers of the past and encourage them to reflect on their own life and realize the potential they have to impact history like those who have gone before them.

Today's society is all about technology: cell phones, cameras, laptops, internet, Ipod's, etc. I remember the first time using a computer in high school. I created my first email account when I was a sophomore in high school and received my first cell phone my senior year. I took a couple computer classes in high school and college. I feel very comfortable with Microsoft Word. I can handle my own with Excel and Powerpoint; however, there is definitely room for improvement. I use my cell phone and text message regularly. I also love taking pictures and am very comfortable on my digital camera. I am very comfortable with the internet. Although I struggle when it comes to researching and finding professional, peer-reviewed articles.

I don't really have any expectations for this class. I hope to improve and clean up my technology skills and learn as I go along. A red flag popped up in my mind as I watched the videos about technology in school. I fear that computer's are taking away from the important face to face interaction with humans. I do think technology can help in the classroom. However, I feel it is vital for teachers to still interact with their students and do more of the formal teaching on a consistent basis.