15 weeks ago

As this semester comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on my past experiences and how far I have come from 15 weeks ago. When I write 15 weeks I think how long that seems, but honestly that 15 weeks has come and gone faster then expected. I remember 15 weeks ago entering this classroom and not even being registered for it, but something stuck out to me and I wanted in. I called the registrar and they put me in Social Studies Methods, and it was the hardest and best decision I made all semester. As I reflect on the time I have spent in Social Studies Methods the first thing I think about is the letters we read at the beginning of the semester, the insight from the past students telling us how difficult this class was going to be, but how great Dr. Smirnova is and how everyone gets through it. Now I am one of those past students that can give some insight on the students that are going to enter Dr. Smirnova's class in the fall. I learned about so many different resources and engaging ways to teach social studies that I never would have thought about before. I learned how to time manage like I never thought I could because I had no other choice, which in college is a great accomplishment. I was able to teach a whole class and gain experience on how to create a unit plan and fun activities that students really enjoyed. I love the idea of an interactive social studies classroom in the future, especially for elementary students. Technology is the way of the world and students need to learn that they have access to everything on this earth at their finger tips. By teaching with technology it allows students to be engaged in a way that lets them learn in an interactive and engaging way. I have gained so much knowledge about teaching and the resources that are available to me that I have to thank Dr. Smirnova, for transferring her knowledge onto all of us. And allowing everyone in our class to grow and having the patients to deal with the dozens of emails at all hours of the day and night, you are truly an amazing educator and I thank you for your knowledge and guidance through this semester.