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Growth Mindset & Grit Home Learn More Inspiration About the Author |
About the Author
A Little About Myself
My name is Shawn O'Neal and I am a 3rd grade teacher at a Title 1 school in Fairfield. This is my second year teaching. So I have a lot to learn! I have fallen in love with teaching. I never saw myself as a teacher and kind of fell into teaching. I wanted to be a child and adolescent therapist but then I realized that I didn't think I would be able to separate myself from my work but little did I know I would have the same problem with teaching. I still fell like I am therapist to my students because they are faced with many challenges and I get to "work" with them for 10 months instead of a few sessions.
I love working with at a Title 1 school because I was one of the many students at my school, Low SES, single parent just to name a few. I wanted to show my students that even through they come from a difficult start they can be the change in their own future. If I can break the cycle then so can they. I also wanted my students to see someone who looks like them become successful.
I am a mom to the most precious little girl who had changes my life forever. Everything that I've worked hard for has been for her. I could honestly go on and on about my little lady but am sure any parent could.
My name is Shawn O'Neal and I am a 3rd grade teacher at a Title 1 school in Fairfield. This is my second year teaching. So I have a lot to learn! I have fallen in love with teaching. I never saw myself as a teacher and kind of fell into teaching. I wanted to be a child and adolescent therapist but then I realized that I didn't think I would be able to separate myself from my work but little did I know I would have the same problem with teaching. I still fell like I am therapist to my students because they are faced with many challenges and I get to "work" with them for 10 months instead of a few sessions.
I love working with at a Title 1 school because I was one of the many students at my school, Low SES, single parent just to name a few. I wanted to show my students that even through they come from a difficult start they can be the change in their own future. If I can break the cycle then so can they. I also wanted my students to see someone who looks like them become successful.
I am a mom to the most precious little girl who had changes my life forever. Everything that I've worked hard for has been for her. I could honestly go on and on about my little lady but am sure any parent could.
Reflections on your Journey
This journey has defiantly challenged my own growth mindset at times. There were moments where I felt absolutely lost in the woods wondering if I was ever going to find my way out! So how I did am not exactly sure how but I did. Wait! I take that back. I made it though this journey on my passion for this topic. There were times where I questioned if my research was going to be of value. This is an Innovative Learning Master program and my topic doesn't have much to do with technology. I went back and forth of if I should chance my topic to fit what I thought this program was "suppose" to be.
It wasn't until I had that mind shift and realized that creating an optimal learning environment based on my students needs that I was an Innovative teacher and this is the program that I belonged in. Through this program I have been placed in my students shoes. To trust the process, myself, and others to help me reach my end goal. The challenges that I faced throughout this program reminded my why it is so important to embed a growth mindset in out students are such a young age because here I am in my early 30's still using my growth mindset to tackle life's challenges. As teacher's it is our job to prepare our students for their futures and I can not think of a more important still then grit and perseverance through the TPACK model.
Lasting Learning
What a ride this journey has been. I have been challenged in so many ways and have grown as an educator. I thought of myself as a pretty "techy" teacher and thought that this program would be pretty easy. But I was wrong!! I was challenged throughout the whole program. I think my most valuable lesson or things I will take from this program is that I should have more confidence in my teaching. I am applying the TPACK principles in my classroom daily and making strong connects with my students. I now have an even fuller toolbox to take into my classrooms for years to come. I have also realized how much I love having technology! I learned that action research shouldn't stop in the classroom. It does not have to lead to an extensive project like this one but it can lead to some amazing teaching.