Getting the community involved

I feel my community does a good job at partnering with schools. As a community there is always more that can be done to further advance in communication. We have PTO and weekly newsletters that are sent home about the community and event going on around town. Market day is always a fun time to get to see the parents and help out the community. Also, we have school newpapers just like at Ball State, that inform us on everything going on in and outside of school. As an advocate for community and school communication, I feel it would be a good idea to have more events held through the school for the whole community to attend. Something along the lines of a big party at the park during the summer for everyone to come and enjoy and meet new people and future classmates!

Parent-Teacher Conference

I really enjoyed the parent teacher conference. I felt that  it helped me prepare for situations I will be dealing with as a teacher.  Being able to do this with the people at are table made it less stressful and more fun.  I was able to figure out things I would  of changed and things I am really glad I put in the conference.  So overall, this was very helpful and I was excited to get to act it out!

Drugs and Alcohol in Families

This video was very surprising, I always knew that drugs were a problem but I didn't know meth was the leading one.  The effects on a child living in a home with meth users or even just drug users is so detrimental a child growing up.  As a teacher I would try to help by paying close attention when I meet with parents and if they seem a little off I would take further action.  Also by speaking with the child, seeing if everything is going well at home and what they like to do when they are there. A child who is being abuse also shows different qualities than a child who is not, so that would also be an indicator that something may be wrong.  So basically just by being aware and knowing that it does happen and could be happening to a child in my class.

Poverty in America

Unfortunately poverty is only getting worse.  There are far to many children homeless and wondering where their next meal will come from.  As a teacher I will strive to be as involved as possible and well aware of my student's situations at home.  I will make sure my students know they can come to me and trust me with anything they say.  If a student is in a unfortunate living situation I will try to help as much as possible.  Also, by being aware of what the community I am teaching in has to offer, I will be able to suggest options the family may have not been aware of.

An event that happened to me that changed the way I view teaching, would have to be when I was about thirteen in eighth grade.  I was sitting in science class and could not wait for the day to be over.  My teacher's name was Mrs. Bunner, she was a grumpy little lady.  Every time a student would ask a question she would be rude and make the person asking it feel stupid.  That year, barely anyone ask any questions because of the reaction she always gave.  After that year was over, I told myself that I would never put down any student's question or make them feel bad for asking it.  I knew I could be a better teacher then she was and I promised myself I would be after that year.