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This course has been very vital and essential for my journey in teaching.  The readings have helped me understand new ways of implementing material in the classroom. The feedback from my peers and professor has been very beneficial as I received support in my future teaching career.  The Digital Learning and Leaders program has altered my perception of teaching and revitalized certain areas that needed a refresher.

Taking this course has been stimulating, because it has allowed me to learn a different approach on how to teach my students and how to help them learn in changed styles. The COVA learning approach is what I would like to promote with my students. It has definitely given me another perspective in teaching and also in how I myself will use it while in the program. My “why” is simple, I want to make a difference in my student’s lives. I want to all of my students to feel comfortable in their learning environment and with their own learning styles. This course has initiated that foundation for me and as the program continues I know it will give me the proper tools needed to be successful as a teacher and make a difference.

Learning the COVA mindset has taught me a lot about myself in many aspects. I have learned how to apply the different strategies and mindsets in my learning experience. I know now that I can have a voice and enjoy the part Choice part the most!

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Mirna Valentin

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This past fall I graduated from University of Houston Downtown with my Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies and a minor in Communication. I am the first in my family to obtain a degree of any. Being able accomplish my degree has been exceptional for me, due to the fact that while attending UHD I had other responsibilities. Throughout the years I have strived to be a great role model for all four of my daughters and teach them that it's never too late to finish your education.

To be honest I never saw myself pursuing a Master's Degree Program. My environment growing up was very complex. My father was an alcoholic and due to his nature I suffered as a child. Both of my parents worked in housekeeping and therefore we did not have the financial means to spend on family outings, trips, or even toys. My senior year in high school was a rude awakening. Most of friends were applying for colleges,scholarships, and filling out FAFSA forms. Due to my environment, I was ignorant with the process. Yes, this is the truth! I am first generation Mexican American who at that time lacked the means to pursue a degree. My parents only had an elementary education and had no idea of how to support or guide me. I wish I would've had some kind of guidance from a teacher or a staff member. Enrolling at a college was no walk in the park. I had to learn everything by trial and error because I was not familiar with the process, but I knew that I wanted to pursue my education and I wanted better. My personal life experience and working in a school have been major factors for me to pursue a career in education. I want to be the best teacher that I can be! I want to teach and also be a resource to students in their future. In 2010 I started working in a high school, this was my very first job in education, and I found it very fulfilling. I met so many children with a similar story to my own. While working there I became a teacher and mentor to many students. Students would asked questions that as a teen I would have been embarrassed to ask anyone. All children should have the opportunity to learn in a manner that accommodates their learning style, in order for them to understanding the material.

1.Get to know your students

I've come across some teachers who are so focused on just teaching a curriculum, handing out worksheets and sending homework home rather than teaching. My plan is to develop a relationship with my students so that there's an easier way. My daughter came home one day and made a comment that her teacher had a group of "favorite" students and a group that got on her nerves. If teachers took the time to get to know her students and their learning styles, it would create a more positive learning atmosphere for everyone. What I like about theCOVA learning approach , is that students are given the freedom of Choice in their personal organization in learning. The freedom Communication is a big factors because teachers get to know where the strengths and weaknesses are of the students in their class. Voice is also important when getting to know your students, it is essential that you allow them to have a voice in their learning. This helps create a better communication pathway for both the student and the teacher form a plan in order for the student to be successful. Lastly, its important to know your students personality, this is important because it can help distinguish when something is out of character and raise concerns.

2. Technology- As a teacher, I would like to facilitate students with the most current technology to incorporate in their daily lives. Equipped with the knowledge to understand and use the latest technology students will proudly take Ownership in their work in both the classroom and personal lives. Students need to be instruct in the balance they must maintain between technology and school work. Many students enjoy taking ownership in assignments which are focus or include strong technology capabilities. Throughout the years, I learned that I preferred taking online classes to complete my degree because of my life style. Now even high schools are offering online courses for students who want to take extra courses throughout the year. Just last summer my daughter enrolled in a online health class to get ahead on her credits. I was amazed to see how much technology has changed the way classes are being taught online. This course was a at your own pace and as long as everything was completed by the end date the student received credit for the course. A few years back this opportunity was not available to students because technology was not as advanced as it is today. Both teachers and students now have the opportunity to use technology to their advantage and at their own pace to complete courses. In todays society technology is a requirement needed to function in the world. For this reason it is imperative for students to properly use technology and take ownership in their accomplishments.

3. Collaboration- It's important that as a teacher I am able to collaborate and work along side of my peers. Everyone has their personal strengths and weaknesses, but I have learned that when I collaborate with others I am able to learn new strategies and take back fresh material with a different approach. This is also a good way to get feedback from colleagues and work on our professional growth and also Authenticate how I will present to my students. I have noticed that not everyone is open to collaboration though, this is a factor that I feel needs more work and improvement. Collaborating with colleges creates a stronger support system. I know that I need all the help and support from my peers, they all have different teaching techniques that I'd like to implement. Brainstorming with other teachers can help come up with creative lesson plans for the students. Creative lesson plans can improve the way the students learn the material versus traditional lesson plans.

4.Leadership-One thing that I have noticed as part of a problem in education is poor leadership. When I first started working for the district I was surrounded by a great supporting faculty. Everyone was very supportive and wanted to see everyone succeed and go beyond expectations. I have had both, supporting leaders and not so supportive leaders. This is essential in education, because teachers are the resources to the children and if the ones who hold leadership positions are not supportive, that eventually affects the classroom. Like any other job, poor leadership does exists, it is real! I have seen great teachers leave their campus because of lack of support form their administrators and peers. Administration is very important in education because they create the learning atmosphere. I have seen the success in a campus because of their principals support and I have seen others where they are in RIT and there is no support.

There is a lot of factors when it comes to molding a classroom together. The biggest one in my opinion is loving what you do and having a passion for it along with some patience. It's important that our teachers have a passion and love what they do everyday, because teachers will put forward their effort to carry on the material to their students. I'm very excited over all the material covered in this course and can't wait to try all the different techniques in my class.

http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6991

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This past fall I graduated from University of Houston Downtown with my Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies and a minor in Communication. I am the first in my family to obtain a degree of any. Being able accomplish my degree has been exceptional for me, due to the fact that while attending UHD I had other...

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EDLD 5302