Stranger Anxiety/Attachment Theory

This past week we talked about the Emotional and Social Development of children and I found quite a few things very interesting. We had a mini class discussion about the attachment that a child has towards their parents which is what the book spoke about but while reading a couple of magazines it spoke about parents being too attached to the children. It was weird to hear students in my class speak about how they are still so attached to their parents or guardian even at the age of 20 and older. Me personally I broke that attachment at a young age, but now it seems as if it’s coming back. Well I won’t say I’m becoming attached but I do want to be around my family more now than I have ever wanted to be. Another topic discussed was Stranger Anxiety which is when a child cries and becomes scared when you aren’t around and a stranger comes around. When the child goes through this it means that your child is starting to grasp the concept of “object permanence”, which is the idea that objects and people continue to exist even when he/she can’t see them. To help your child bi-pass this stage or get over this stage you as the parent have to slowly introduce them to new situations as well as people while reassuring that everything will be okay. These two topics stuck out to me most, because you do often in the elementary ages see these kinds of things happening, and you as a teacher need to know how to deal with it also.

http://www.sleeplady.com/parenting/stran ger-anxiety-babies/

Fears before Graduation

I often thought I had no fears at this point in my life, until I realized that I plan on graduating December 2014 and have to take my certification test. I am basically freaking out and so stress out that I can barely focus on anything else. I have never been a great nor good test taker and to know that this could hold me back from doing what I long to do blows my mind completely. I have began doing the necessary study methods and practicing on Certify Teacher and taking practice TeXes exams but I feel that it’s just not enough for me. I recently looked into purchasing the Generalist Ec-6 Study manual so that I could have some more study materials, but then I think do I really need that or should I just do what the school has provided. I am a believer in the almighty God above, so I have found myself praying and asking him for guidance. Guidance to help me do over and beyond on the actual test but also so that I can be the best teacher I can be. Glad I could get this off my chest, now it’s time to get to studying. I claim I will be fully certified by the end of the summer 2014.

Article about overcoming fears(Read if you may): 

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/f ear-of-failure.htm

Teaching is Life

Today while observing the students were talking about different career fields they want to be in and why. While I was sitting there the teacher ask me to think about why do I want to be a teacher. I immediately began to ponder and realized that one this is something that I have wanted to do all my life, but also I feel like I was called to do this. I have a passion for teaching, and my heart desires to see somebody else in the world especially the newer generation to do something incredible. I have always thought about how I would run my class, and I know for sure it would be very discipline and great classroom management, but my students will also have freedom of expression. I believe that every child is different but that they are all going to be something in life.  Right now in my life I am only a couple of steps away from making my dream reality and it is very bitter sweet. At times I get really nervous and wonder will I be a great teacher and then I realize that I can do anything I put my mind to.  My current biggest fear within my degree is not passing my classes but getting certified by July 2014. That is a goal I have set for myself and I pray that I do just that. Teaching is not what I have to do but what I want to do, and I am going to go over and beyond for my students. 

This link tells a few points about the importance of being  a great teacher.

http://www.rand.org/education/projects/m easuring-teacher-effectiveness/teachers- matter.html

Professional Goals

As an educator you should have more that you want to achieve than to just stay where ever you begin. Meaning you should have multiple professional goals. When I hear professional goals, I think about what I want to achieve as a teacher but also where I want to go in my professional life. Right now as a student my professional goal and focus is to become certified by the end of summer 2014, and also to do an amazing job student teaching. Those are my short term goals but as in long term I want to go to graduate school and receive my Masters in Education and also receive my degree in Counseling. I will then use this to move further up in the education field. I do not want to be in the classroom all my life, because I feel like there is more than just teaching students in the room but maybe doing some hands-on activities. I also want to move into teaching more than just up to sixth grade but when dealing with the counseling aspect I want to counsel and help students mainly in high school, during that transitioning part from high school to college.  When thinking about professional goals remember there is a lot that comes into them and make sure they are meaningful to you.

Meaningful Goals