Application for the future: Supporting Neurodiverse Learners

One concept I learned this semester that really resonated with me was the importance of supporting neurodiverse learners in the classroom. Throughout this course, I learned that students that are autistic, have ADHD, and other disabilities often succeed when teachers focus on their strengths and provide flexible support systems. This class helped me better understand how important inclusion and acceptance are for student success. As someone who is autistic myself, this topic connected with me on both a personal and professional level. It reinforced my belief that students deserve learning environments where they feel understood, supported, and valued.

Example:

In my future classroom, I plan to apply this concept by creating an environment that supports different learning styles and sensory needs. For example, I would provide visual supports, movement breaks, quiet workspaces, and flexible assignment options for students who may need them. I also want students to feel comfortable advocating for themselves and communicating their needs. Another way I would apply this concept is by teaching students about acceptance and respecting differences so all students feel included. By supporting neurodiverse learners in meaningful ways, I believe students will feel more confident, engaged, and successful in school.

Quote:

"Different, not less."-Temple Grandin

Application for the Future: Building Positive Relationships with Students

Another concept that strongly connected with me this semester was the importance of building positive relationships with students. Throughout this course, I learned that students are more likely to succeed academically when they feel respected, supported, and valued by their teacher. This class reinforced that teaching is about much more than delivering lessons; it is also about creating meaningful connections that help students feel safe and motivated. I believe strong teacher-student relationships can have a lasting impact on students both inside and outside the classroom. This concept especially stood out to me because many students simply need someone who believes in them.

Example:

In my future classroom, I plan to prioritize relationship building from the very beginning of the school year. I would take time to learn about students' interests, strengths, goals, and personal learning preferences. I also want student to know that my classroom is a safe place where they can ask questions and make mistakes without fear of judgement, Simple strategies such as greeting students at the door, checking in with them regularly, and celebrating their progress can help students feel supported and connected. By building trust and strong relationships, I believe students will become more confident learners and more willing to participate in class activities.

Quote:

"Every Child deserves a champion."-Rita Pierson

Application for the Future: Real-World Learning Experiences

One idea from this course that really inspired me this semester was the importance of connecting classroom learning to real-world experience. I learned that students are often more engaged when they see how classroom skills apply to their future goals and every day lives. This concept stood out to me because I have personally seen how hands-on learning opportunities increase student engagement and confidence, especially for students with disabilities. this course helped me realize that learning becomes more meaningful when students are actively involved rather than simply listening to instruction. Real-world learning can help students build confidence, independence, and important life skills.

Example:

In my future classroom, I want to incorporate hands-on activities, community-based learning, and career exploration opportunities whenever possible. For example, students could participate in mock interviews, budgeting activities, classroom business, or internship-style experiences related to their interests. I also want to collaborate with local businesses and community organizations to help students build independence, communication skills, and confidence while learning valuable life skills. By making learning meaningful and practical, students will better understand how their education connects to their future success.

Quote:

"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember, Involve me and I learn."

Peer: Kassie Miller

Response:

I really enjoyed reading your Application for the Future about Standards-Based Education and Flexibility. One thing I learned from your post was how important it is to balance educational standards with creativity and flexibility in teaching. I liked how you explained that teaching is not simply about following rules, but about making thoughtful decisions based on student needs and success.

Your example of incorporating real-life applications, guest speakers, and industry tours into agriculture lessons stood out to me because students are often more engaged when learning feels relevant and connected to the real world.

I also connected with your idea of using formative assessments to adjust instruction because every student learns differently and teachers need to be flexible in how they support learning.

Your post reminded me that strong teaching involves meeting standards while still creating meaningful and engaging learning experiences for students.

Peer: Kassie Miller

Response:

I really connected with your Application for the Future about Student-Centered Learning and Progressivism. One thing I learned from your post was the importance of giving students more ownership and choice in their learning experiences.

I liked how you explained that students should actively participate in learning through collaboration, exploration, and hands-on activities instead of only listening to lectures or memorizing information.

Your idea about allowing students to choose how they demonstrate their understanding through projects, presentations, or written reports was something that really stood out to me because it supports different learning styles and strengths.

I also made a connection between your post and my own beliefs about creating engaging learning environments where students feel valued and involved in the learning process.

Your examples using agriculture simulations and real-life case studies showed how student-centered learning can help students connect classroom learning to real-world experiences and future careers.

Application for the Future: Inquiry Based Learning

One concept from this course that stood out to me was the importance of question/inquiry based learning within Progressivism. I thought it was incredibly interesting that students often learn better when asking the questions themselves. This made a lot of sense to me once I understood the concept because children want to feel as though they are putting in the legwork and are in control. If the learning is in "their hands" they will feel more inclined to do it.

Example: In my future classroom I hope to encourage my students to be inquiry-based learners. I want to incorporate research projects and presentations even if it is as small as reading a book and explaining the concept, or examining a science project and explaining what you see, what you know and what you want to know.

Application for the Future: Philosophy of Education

One thing I really enjoyed from this course was writing my philosophies of education. being able to learn from and take pieces from the different things we learn and write them down helped me put into words why I wanted to be a teacher and how I wanted to do it. I think being able to every once in a while look back on and improve it would help me as an educator as I learn and grow.

Example: As a future teacher I would go back to my philosophy of education and re-read and add on to what I have. I think as people we are always learning and growing and writing it down is a great way of seeing our progress.

Application for the Future: Classroom inclusiveness

In this course I really enjoyed the emphasis on the fact that all children/students enjoy equal opportunity to learn. I eventually hope to minor in special education and while Kansas does an incredible job with inclusivity of these children compared to many states it is not the same around the U.S. I went to middle and high-school in Arizona and it was rare to see a child with special needs in a regular classroom. When they did teachers and children often treated them differently. Out of high-school I worked at a center for adults with special needs and it will always be a highlight. You will never meet kinder people, they are incredibly smart but in Arizona unfortunately were not given the time of day to truly learn amongst their peers.

Example: In my future classroom I hope to someday foster a place of kindness and inclusivity where everyone feels like they can learn among friends. i don't want anyone to feel like being different is a bad thing and I hope that my classroom is a safe space.

Responding: Kassie Miller

I like learning about your application for the future about progressivism. I learned that lectures are not always beneficial and how it is important to have student actively participate. I liked your ideas about letting your students choose hoe they would like to present to the class, via written, presentation etc. Your talk about agriculture really stood out to me because it incorporated hands on activities and real life studies about agriculture. Overall, your post helped me better understand how to create a more meaningful evirdoment int he classroom.

Responding: April S.

I was really interest in your application because it highlighted the why make learning meaningful but also simple. I liked that you discusses how mock interviews, hands on learning, and class activities, can help your students build confidence and life skills. I thought it was really important that your discussed children with disability's because my mother is a special education teacher and she is always finding new ways of introduction instruction. I liked your take talking about how students feel more meaningful when it is an active activity instead of just listening. I do agree with this statement, very much because students do need stimuli to keep motivated. Lastly, your post helped me understand how children will relate these school experiences to their future success.

Application for the Future - Cowboy Ethics

Cowboy ethics are the teaching of ethics & leadership to at-risk students. These ethics emphasise hard work, self resistance and heart, which drives the students to be more self centered towards their work. The teachers need to have an understanding that their role is very important and can help a student succeed with the right attitude. The teachers need to have high standards and create a strong bond to understand the students on a more personal level. Using “The Code of the West” framework in my gym classes will help the students understand what I’m expecting during class. Expressing Integrity, Courage and Personal Responsibility will shape my class to a respectful, hard working class that is getting stuff done! Being able to set the tone early with my students and show them I’m not looking for a perfect gym class hero, I’m looking for students that are encouraged to move and have fun doing it. For the students that don't want to move or just don't like gym class, I will have to get more creative in my lesson plans and figure out why. Cowboy ethics will also help me stay true to who I am, which I hope my students will see and be encouraged.

Application for the Future: Progressivism

Progressivism is an educational philosophy that focuses on student-centered, hands-on learning. It also ties in real world experiences and problem solving into education. While the teacher is still important, students are actively a part of their education and collaborate to create ideas. It is a great way to keep students involved and interested in education, and aide them in critical thinking.

In my future classroom, I would incorporate Progressivism by having structured assignments during a unit, but also giving students the freedom to create something that works best for them. Each unit would include a classroom discussion where the students can work together, and create their own ideas. At the end of each unit, students would have the opportunity to work with a partner (or alone, if they choose) to create a project. To meet each students needs, there won't be a required type of project, but instead a list of various ideas for students to choose from. This can be a presentation, a poster, or a written assignment. My hope is for students to understand the topics in a way that works best for them, instead of putting something together to fit my own requirements.

Application for the Future: Socioemotional Learning

From the book circle, I read "Start with the Heart" by Michelle Trujillo. This book focuses on how educators can work with students on building tools to help with their emotions and skills to manage emotions. This book provided a lot of good information for future educators, especially if you are planning on going into early childhood or elementary education. It also recognized the importance of building relationships and fully understanding your students, and ensuring that you are treating them as individuals.

In my future classroom, I would like to encourage students to feel whatever emotions they are feeling. Many people tend to hide their emotions to maintain composure, and I want my students to feel safe enough to feel however they need to at that moment. To ensure they can do that, I would create a space where students can go whenever they need to clear their head or just let their feelings out. It would have different items students can use to distract themselves (fidgets, tools, etc.), and would also provide different techniques students could use to calm their bodies. If I was available, I would also go over there and ask the students if they want to talk about it.

Application for the Future: Essentialism

Essentialism is another educational philosophy that focuses on teaching the essentials of education. It is more teacher focused and involves teaching the "core" subjects that are part of education. It teaches students the skills and knowledge that they may need for their future careers.

In my future classroom, I would like to incorporate both essentialism and progressivism. I understand that these core subjects are very important for students to learn, and some students may need the structured education in order to comprehend the materials. As a teacher, I would teach the basics of the topic that students would need to understand it, and then allow them to deepen their understanding by choosing a way to present a new idea to the topics I had already covered. I know that some students need more structured learning, while others may need more "freedom" to let their brain understand something.

Progressivism

Progressivism is a student-centered philosophy where students engage in problem-solving and a democratic classroom. Progressivism was created to help students improve society. Students learn by doing, and teachers are there to assist, not lead.

I plan to use progressivism in my classroom, primarily through projects. Giving students the independence to express themselves and their interests through projects is a great way to keep them engaged. In the Philosophy in Action paper, I discussed an Earth Day project that used progressivism concepts, but it can extend to other subjects' projects, such as book reports and historical figure projects. In the Earth Day conservation project, students chose their own animals, discussed together, and created their own physical display. Choosing their own animal would give them a hook to begin to be interested in the project. Research and discussions would improve their critical thinking skills and create a community. The physical display will let them express their creativity.

Essentialism

Essentialism is a philosophy focused on students' attention to the essential or needed subject matter. Essentialism has a teacher-led classroom setup. This is a good classroom setup for students who may be behind, need a very structured class, and for schools that are test-focused. Essentialism holds students to higher standards, as seen commonly in countries like Japan, which have rigorous schooling standards.

I plan to use essentialism in my classroom to keep my students up to standard, help them genuinely learn, and provide structure in my class. Students cannot build on concepts that they do not already know. Essentialism is critical to being able to let students expand onto progressivism concepts. Using the example of the Earth Day animal project on animal conservation, I would make sure the students understood what conservation is, threats to animals, and basic facts first.

Diversity

Diversity is essential in classrooms because it helps students enhance their critical thinking, empathy, and helps all students succeed. Diversity brings many viewpoints, so during discussions, students can gain insights and points of view they wouldn't have seen without other kids. Being around children who are different than them helps children break down stereotypes while creating community in the classroom. Teachers understanding diversity and displaying it in their classrooms helps students actually succeed socially and academically in school.

Diversity will definitely have a place in my classroom, through pictures, ways of teaching, and assignments. Students of all backgrounds will be able to see themselves in the videos we watch, pictures on the walls, and in books. I will teach in a multitude of ways, including varying "classrooms" (outdoors, on field trips, etc.) as well as with many different tools, like technology, dioramas, etc. I will also have a variety of ways assignments are completed and designed to ensure students will have a way that is accessible and works for them.

Application for the future: Learning through play

Out of everything we talked about throughout this course, learning through play was one of the ideas that stood out to me the most. I have always believed that children learn best when they are actively involved and enjoying what they are doing, rather than just sitting and listening the whole time. Learning through play focuses on helping children develop social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills through hands-on activities and exploration. I think this is really important because children are naturally curious and learn a lot by interacting with the world around them. Play also helps children build creativity, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities in ways that feel natural and exciting to them. After learning more about this concept throughout the semester, it made me realize how important it is to create a classroom where children feel comfortable exploring, asking questions, and using their imagination.

As a future teacher, I plan to apply the concept of learning through play in my classroom by creating activity centers where children can learn while still having fun. For example, I would have a dramatic play area where children can pretend to cook, work at a store, or take care of a baby because this helps develop social and communication skills. I would also include block centers where children can work together to build and solve problems. Sensory bins, art activities, and hands-on games would also be included to help children explore and stay engaged in learning. I want my classroom to feel welcoming, creative, and exciting so children actually enjoy coming to school every day. I also think children learn better when they feel relaxed and supported instead of pressured. Overall, learning through play is something I definitely want to use in my future classroom because it helps children grow in so many important ways while still allowing them to be kids.

Application for the Future: Progressivism

Of all the philosophies of education we learned about in this course, progressivism stood out to me the most. I have always felt that students learn better when they are actively involved rather than just listening to lectures all day. Progressivism focuses on student-centered learning, hands-on activities, collaboration, and real-world experiences. I really like this philosophy because it encourages creativity, problem-solving, and allows students to think for themselves. It also focuses on building relationships and creating a positive classroom environment where students feel comfortable participating. After learning more about progressivism this semester, I realized how important it is to make learning meaningful and engaging for students rather than focusing solely on memorization. As a future teacher, I plan to use progressivism by creating activities that allow children to explore, ask questions, and work together. For example, instead of only teaching from worksheets, I would include hands-on projects, group activities, dramatic play, and classroom discussions. I want my students to feel involved in their learning and be able to connect what they learn to real-life situations. I also want to create a classroom where students feel safe sharing ideas and learning from each other. I think children learn best when they are actively engaged and excited about what they are doing. Overall, progressivism is something I definitely want to apply in my future classroom because it helps students become more confident, independent, and involved learners.

Application for the Future: Postitive Guidance

One concept that really stood out to me throughout this course was positive guidance. Positive guidance focuses on helping children learn appropriate behavior instead of only punishing them when they do something wrong. I think this is really important because young children are still learning to manage their emotions and interact with others. This concept helped me realize how much a teacher's response can affect a child emotionally and socially. Instead of making children feel embarrassed or discouraged, positive guidance focuses on teaching, patience, and support. It also helps create a calm and respectful classroom environment where children feel safe and understood. As a future teacher, I plan to use positive guidance by modeling respectful behavior and helping children work through problems calmly. For example, if a child is upset or struggling to share, I would guide them through the situation rather than immediately punishing them. I would also use redirection and positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior. Praising children when they make good choices can help build their confidence and encourage them to continue making positive decisions. I want my classroom to feel supportive and welcoming so children know mistakes are okay and part of learning. Overall, I think positive guidance will help create stronger relationships and a more positive learning environment for everyone.

I feel that progressivism is something that I would like to include in my future teaching journey as a music educator. I have found that the more I have learned about the different teaching styles I keep finding that overall, in music teaching Progressivism (in my opinion) is the most fitting teaching style to help students learn. I find that this style of teaching is more fitting for music because music should be about the students learning and the teacher guiding them towards better musicianship and creativity. I plan on implementing progressivism through several different methods some of these include letting students decide on musical choices, pulling repertoire choices (within reason) through student vote or recommendation, and allowing students to learn through bouncing ideas off of the teacher and the other students through group learning or other group activities. When it comes to musical decisions it is very crucial that the group performing it has most of the choices because it makes the overall learning process smoother, learning a piece you are invested and have made choices for is a lot more fun and helps students feel more involved in the making of the music. Having students choose some of the songs they perform can help them have more diverse pieces that are more fun for the group I would still have choices of pieces for things that work more on technique and give skills that are needed as a musician, but it is always nice to have more fun pieces that are a break from constantly thinking about technique. I feel that small group work like sectionals, small ensemble, and other forms of small group work helps students work on stuff in an environment where they are musically exposed in a non-stressful way, this also helps develop the skills to hear and learn pieces on their own without needing the help of a teacher which with time can be very helpful if they choose to continue within a performing art related field.

I feel like before we talked about proper classroom management, I struggled to see it within classrooms I was a student in. I think there are so many aspects that I will need to remember and bring into my teaching career. Some of these things include settings goals, keeping the student's attention span in mind, developing a stress free and welcoming environment, decorating is also helpful, adapting the classroom environment to the students not to the comfort of the teacher. I feel that these things make a classroom a classroom and not a place students dread. I feel that adapting to the students is crucial because the students are still developing whereas the teacher has gone through classes and has experience to step outside the box and try new things to help the class develop. Decorating the classroom gives a fun and engaging physical environment and it allows for some of the information you teach to be embodied in the place you are teaching. Encouraging an environment that is low stress can help students learn music and I plan to encourage an environment where students want to be and don't have to stress about things that normally comes with being in school. Setting clear expectations is something that I want to make a habit so my students will have plenty of structure so that nothing is a surprise or takes the students off guard. I think the most important thing is to keep the attention span of the students in mind when teaching and allowing for time to take a break and get back into the music, I think that this is important because focusing for a long period of time without a break can cause students to become uninterested or tired of the class.

Peer Ella McNett

Response:

I really enjoyed reading your application for the future about social reconstructionism. One thing I learned from your post was how important it is for teachers to recognize the influence they have on students both academically and socially. I liked how you connected this concept to music education by discussing the importance of incorporating composers of color, female composers, and LGBTQ composers into curriculum. That connection showed how teachers can help students feel representing and valued through the materials and perspectives included in the classroom. I also made a personal connection to your post because I believe students learn best when they feel accepted, respected, and included in the learning environment. Your post reminded me that teachers are not just teaching content, but are also helping students develop understanding, empathy, and awareness about the world around them.

I really enjoyed reading through this and found a lot of the stuff very interesting. I agree that teachers should be able to be real with their students as I have seen it makes a stronger connection to both the course content and the teacher. I have seen great examples of being real with students and I have seen teachers who are so professional that the students find the class very boring overall. For privacy sake I will call this person Mr. B, Mr. B was a music teacher that had taught at the school for a long time and had built the program into what it is and when I asked around more about how the choir program looked in the past I found that he was a very strict very professional teacher and it made the class boring and not fun to be in however, when I was taught by him he was very realistic with his expectations and was able to be real with his students and overall the students respected him more because of it. Another thing this helped with was helping students get out of their shell a little bit (me included) it helped push the students to new heights and overall improve the music program at the school. I have also seen iffy examples, the teacher knew the course work extremely well however because they were not really open with students the class was always silent and there was rarely ever any good discussion (English classroom) it was hard to want to speak up and start a class discussion because of how tense the atmosphere felt overall. I feel that being real with students is something that should be encouraged (within reason) because it shows that teachers are human too and that they have lives and that they are never perfect because of that fact students can feel more comfortable overall in the classroom environment and not feel like they may be judged in any way.