“Reeling in the years”
Aaron Blain
Steely Dan released an album entitled “Can’t Buy a Thrill” which had the song “Reeling in the Years.” The song was a reflection of past experiences, both good and bad. This reflection essay is also a reflection of classes, expectations, and experiences that have accumulated over the past three years while working towards my master’s degree.
I wrote my educational goals for my Master's of Arts in Education in 2009. I had already taken a couple of courses as a lifelong learner to see if the online format would fit with my learning style and busy schedule – I was pleased to find out that it did. My primary educational goal at that time was to help students raise their Michigan Education Assessment Program scores and to learn more how culture and socioeconomic status impact learning. As a coach, my goals were to provide my athletes with the best bio-mechanical and conditioning principles possible.
As I looked back at the goals, I could not help but feel that many goals were met and new ones were created. In regards to raising Michigan Education Assessment Program scores, improving scores began with understanding how students have different literacy levels. Accommodating English as a Second Language learners, students with reading disabilities, and higher level readers in a full inclusion classroom is a goal I feel I have made significant gains in since taking Accommodating Differences in Literacy. However, I had no idea how greatly I would value modeling literacy in my classroom. In regard to coaching, the program courses have helped me to achieve the goals from a biomechanical standpoint. Nonetheless I could not predict how much of an impact the courses would have on me in terms of promoting positive youth development and championing sportsmanship. Several of the courses ended up acting as a catalyst for new goals.
When I look back at my previous coursework, I cannot help but feel that the majority of ideas I learned in my master’s classes were applicable to my classroom and coaching. The large majority of lessons and ideas could be used immediately. In the Teaching Subject Matter though Technology class, I repurposed an old technology project that put a new twist on the Crusades using Google Lit Trip. The True Competition model that I learned in Positive Youth Development manifests every athletic season. I model this principle with my words and actions. Competitions should be viewed as a striving with an opponent versus a striving against them – I did not understand that three years ago. These are just a few ideas that had an overt impact on my pedagogy and coaching. Other ideas and lessons did not resonate with me but that is not to say that they were invaluable. There is a time and place for everything under the sun and I hope some of the ideas can be used later in my teaching and coaching career.
The last three years have been a revealing journey. The online format was a precursor of things to come at various levels in education. The experiences have been challenging and rewarding but have culminated in a tremendous sense of accomplishment and pride. When I wrote the goal statement three years ago, I wanted to improve my instruction, pedagogy, and educational knowledge base in order to help my students and athletes, and as I finish, I find myself even hungrier to keep learning and teaching.
I wrote my educational goals for my Master's of Arts in Education in 2009. I had already taken a couple of courses as a lifelong learner to see if the online format would fit with my learning style and busy schedule – I was pleased to find out that it did. My primary educational goal at that time was to help students raise their Michigan Education Assessment Program scores and to learn more how culture and socioeconomic status impact learning. As a coach, my goals were to provide my athletes with the best bio-mechanical and conditioning principles possible.
As I looked back at the goals, I could not help but feel that many goals were met and new ones were created. In regards to raising Michigan Education Assessment Program scores, improving scores began with understanding how students have different literacy levels. Accommodating English as a Second Language learners, students with reading disabilities, and higher level readers in a full inclusion classroom is a goal I feel I have made significant gains in since taking Accommodating Differences in Literacy. However, I had no idea how greatly I would value modeling literacy in my classroom. In regard to coaching, the program courses have helped me to achieve the goals from a biomechanical standpoint. Nonetheless I could not predict how much of an impact the courses would have on me in terms of promoting positive youth development and championing sportsmanship. Several of the courses ended up acting as a catalyst for new goals.
When I look back at my previous coursework, I cannot help but feel that the majority of ideas I learned in my master’s classes were applicable to my classroom and coaching. The large majority of lessons and ideas could be used immediately. In the Teaching Subject Matter though Technology class, I repurposed an old technology project that put a new twist on the Crusades using Google Lit Trip. The True Competition model that I learned in Positive Youth Development manifests every athletic season. I model this principle with my words and actions. Competitions should be viewed as a striving with an opponent versus a striving against them – I did not understand that three years ago. These are just a few ideas that had an overt impact on my pedagogy and coaching. Other ideas and lessons did not resonate with me but that is not to say that they were invaluable. There is a time and place for everything under the sun and I hope some of the ideas can be used later in my teaching and coaching career.
The last three years have been a revealing journey. The online format was a precursor of things to come at various levels in education. The experiences have been challenging and rewarding but have culminated in a tremendous sense of accomplishment and pride. When I wrote the goal statement three years ago, I wanted to improve my instruction, pedagogy, and educational knowledge base in order to help my students and athletes, and as I finish, I find myself even hungrier to keep learning and teaching.