Upon entering Michigan State University’s Master of Education program my goals were simple: to become an accomplished math and science educator and to earn my professional teaching certificate.  Looking back on these goals I realize that they have changed slightly.  Just as I see my students grow immensely each school year, I see myself growing and learning new things right beside them.  With that growth comes revisions to my goals because I realize I am capable and wanting to do more.

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          Reflecting back I can see now that my goal of becoming an “accomplished teacher” was extremely broad.  I have since changed this to incorporate two different, but equally important, qualities of good teaching: leadership and life-long learning.  As I become more confident in teaching my subject matter I am willing and ready to take on more responsibility.  This school year, I became the head of the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Club.  I hope to continue to expand this club and inspire students’ interest in STEM subjects and careers.  I hope to also become the head of either the science or math curriculum committees.  I have served on both of these committees the past two years and find myself adding more to the conversations at each meeting.  Being the sixth grade teacher of both these subjects in a K-6 school, I feel it is my responsibility to be the voice for how the school’s curriculum is preparing our students and to offer ways to improve our methods.

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         Taking courses this past year has reminded me how much I love learning!  In the field of education, it is easy to get stuck teaching the same lessons and using the same methods year after year.  My revised goal will push me to continue to take classes and attend conferences so that I can continually learn new ways to motivate and enrich my students.  This is even more so important now with the use of technology in the classroom, which seems to have new applications every day!  I see the inspiring and engaging impact technology use in the classroom has on my students.  Learning more about using educational technology will contribute to me becoming a technology leader in my school.

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          My second initial goal has also changed slightly.  I am still eager to receive my professional certificate and have gained another year of teaching experience to satisfy the requirements.  I look forward to applying for this certification once my current license is up for renewal next year.  However, I have since set my sights higher to achieving National Board Certification.  In pushing myself to reach the qualifications for this certification I will become a more motivated and mindful teacher.  I always expect my students to continually strive to be the best they can be and commit to being a life-long learner, so it is only fitting that I do the same.