|
Lisa Marie Smith Home Learn More Inspiration About the Author |
Table of Contents
|
|
Lisa Marie Smith the Eductainer
A.K.A. Ms. Dot-T-Dot and Ladybugg the Clown
I began my journey to becoming a teacher right after graduating high school. However, I was redirected to the medical field and became a Medical Laboratory Technician and Phlebotomist. After my two children started elementary school, I returned to school with plans to complete coursework in forensic science. However, my son began to struggle with reading and writing, and I quickly found myself reconsidering my major and changed to elementary and special education, with a minor in History. My first two years as a special education teacher was teaching Deaf and Hard of Hearing and students with Pervasive Developmental Disabilities in Washington state. In 2009 I relocated back to the Napa Valley, where I grew up. I have been working as a Special Education Specialist and Transition teacher for students with moderate to severe disabilities since 2009.
My hobbies include sewing, crafting, woodworking, cooking, baking, and traveling in my motorhome. I also dabble in the art of clowning, magic, face painting, balloon twisting, and making others laugh with corny jokes. How does this apply to my teaching practice one might ask. I utilize these skills in my teaching practice to connect with students and give them skills to share with others. Often, individuals with disabilities are teased, and others laugh at them. Humor and other clowning allow me to give others a reason to laugh "at me" without my limitation being the center of that laughter. Additionally, these skills will enable me to make learning fun and engaging in and out of the classroom.
I have learned over the last decade that traditional inside the box teaching practices and methodologies are not practical nor productive with students with special needs, especially students with moderate to severe disabilities. Additionally, students that are identified as non-verbal and non or low readers who struggle with writing were getting lost in their inclusive learning environments with traditional textbooks and grade-level instruction and materials.
Since completed my teacher preparation program, I have completed graduate coursework in Special Education and Educational Leadership. However, I quickly realized that innovation and innovative learning was an essential missing component to my teaching practice and “tool kit.” While I am skillful in teaching “outside the box” to meet the learning and instruction needs of my students, I lacked teaching with 21st-century skills and including the 4C's (critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity) within my daily instruction delivery. Even though, my classroom is equipped with one-to-one laptops, iPads, document camera, projector, desk top computers, flat screen television and a interactive touch screen.
I was motivated to return to Touro University to complete the Master's program in Innovative Learning. I am excited and thrilled with the positive impact that the program and my participation have had on the learning of the students in my classroom. Students are engaged, motivated, and improving their reading comprehension, and parents are increasing their involvement with their student's homework and learning.
Being a mother and grandmother of an individual with special needs and my own experience as an adult with disabilities allows me to connect with my students, parents, and community members. Furthermore, I can share with others positively, that gives them positive experiences when interacting with their students who have disabilities.
I believe I am leading by example for my students in being a life-long learner that can problem-solve, think critically, communicate, collaborate, and bring creativity into my teaching practices. Lastly, ensuring that my students learning environment is one that is culturally sensitive, mindful, open-minded, safe, respect and demonstrates being responsible is one that allows students to be independent and successful as they transition from school to college and/or career.
My hobbies include sewing, crafting, woodworking, cooking, baking, and traveling in my motorhome. I also dabble in the art of clowning, magic, face painting, balloon twisting, and making others laugh with corny jokes. How does this apply to my teaching practice one might ask. I utilize these skills in my teaching practice to connect with students and give them skills to share with others. Often, individuals with disabilities are teased, and others laugh at them. Humor and other clowning allow me to give others a reason to laugh "at me" without my limitation being the center of that laughter. Additionally, these skills will enable me to make learning fun and engaging in and out of the classroom.
I have learned over the last decade that traditional inside the box teaching practices and methodologies are not practical nor productive with students with special needs, especially students with moderate to severe disabilities. Additionally, students that are identified as non-verbal and non or low readers who struggle with writing were getting lost in their inclusive learning environments with traditional textbooks and grade-level instruction and materials.
Since completed my teacher preparation program, I have completed graduate coursework in Special Education and Educational Leadership. However, I quickly realized that innovation and innovative learning was an essential missing component to my teaching practice and “tool kit.” While I am skillful in teaching “outside the box” to meet the learning and instruction needs of my students, I lacked teaching with 21st-century skills and including the 4C's (critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity) within my daily instruction delivery. Even though, my classroom is equipped with one-to-one laptops, iPads, document camera, projector, desk top computers, flat screen television and a interactive touch screen.
I was motivated to return to Touro University to complete the Master's program in Innovative Learning. I am excited and thrilled with the positive impact that the program and my participation have had on the learning of the students in my classroom. Students are engaged, motivated, and improving their reading comprehension, and parents are increasing their involvement with their student's homework and learning.
Being a mother and grandmother of an individual with special needs and my own experience as an adult with disabilities allows me to connect with my students, parents, and community members. Furthermore, I can share with others positively, that gives them positive experiences when interacting with their students who have disabilities.
I believe I am leading by example for my students in being a life-long learner that can problem-solve, think critically, communicate, collaborate, and bring creativity into my teaching practices. Lastly, ensuring that my students learning environment is one that is culturally sensitive, mindful, open-minded, safe, respect and demonstrates being responsible is one that allows students to be independent and successful as they transition from school to college and/or career.
Reflections on your Journey |
TPACK Reflection |
|
My journey over the past year while being enrolled in the Innovative Learning program with Touro University has been exciting, informative, and challenging. While there was an abundance of information knowledge, skills, and resources shared and learned, I was eager to implement everything all at once.
I quickly realized that I needed to take a moment, reflect, and choose a few ideas, concepts, and innovative strategies to attempt. The Innovative Learning Master's Program, its instructors, and the members of my cohort have been tremendously supportive and gave me valuable feedback, input, and suggestions that will be in my "teacher's bag" for years to come. Lastly, my journey through this program and the newfound skills and knowledge will have a positive impact on my teaching practices and the learning of my students. I found the weekly readings, assignments, tasks, and projects to be essential for me to ensure that the learning environment I create targets 21st-century skills, along with the 4Cs (Communication, Collaboration Critical Thinking and Creativity Lasting Learning from the
|
My Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge has led me to recognize that providing effective instruction is essential in preparing students. The end goal transfers from school to the students' post-secondary college and career experiences. Therefore, I need to get ahead of the curve, in my knowledge of innovation, technological devices, and innovative teaching strategies.
Through the Innovative Learning program, I have expanded my Technological Knowledge. I now am confident in my ability and skills in personally using various technological devices within my classroom (i.e., Laptop, Desktop computers, iPad, tablet devices. Additionally, I was an Innovative Learning grant, which purchased a Prowise touchscreen and collaborative student furniture. Additionally, I have expanded my "tool kit" with the use of various apps, online learning platforms that target academics, specific subjects, and affords me ease when it comes to differentiating instruction to meet the instructional and intellectual levels of all students. In the area of Pedagogical Knowledge, I ensure that I expand my knowledge of the foundational regions, curriculum, assessment, data collection, and providing feedback and progress of learning. While each of my students has unique and individual needs, academically, learning, and developmentally. My connections and daily experiences with my students allow me to have a clear understanding of the learning styles through observation and students completing learning style inventories and surveys online. Additionally, when working with students with special needs, it is essential to have practical, clear, and safe classroom management skills. Lastly, while lesson planning poses challenges, as each student needs, instructional levels, and Individual Education Program goals/objectives vary from one another. Lesson planning and assessment often result in the need for flexibility, patience, and changes usually on a daily or even hourly basis. My current teaching assignment includes providing instruction, hands-on experiences, and evaluation for approximately fifteen subject areas ranging from core academic subjects, functional life skills, career and college awareness, etc. The use of innovation and technical devices assist me and affords me more time teaching versus endless lesson planning and creating supplemental materials. |
|
|
Lisa Marie's Weebly Blog Bloglisamariesmith2020.weebly.com
Lisa Marie Smith's WebsiteClick on the image below to be directed to website
|