Envisioning+English

=__**Envisioning English**__=


 * Page 2, Figure 1-1, Question 5 from //Bridging English// by Milner, Milner, and Mitchell**
 * "Which of the following best describes the center of your interest in becoming a teacher?"**
 * **"adolescent students"**
 * **"print/non-print literature"**
 * **"language (writing or speaking)"**
 * **"the act of teaching"**
 * **"the life of schools"**
 * **"other (explain)"**

All of these listed are big factors in my interest in becoming a teacher. All these aspects of teaching appeal to me and lead to my final decision of choosing this path. The highest item on my list would be of course the students. I want to make a difference in my student's lives and have a positive impact. There are several teachers in my life that I did not appreciate until later on. These teacher laid the foundation to who I am today both personally and professionally. I want to be that kind of teacher to my students. Students today do not always have someone to depend on at home; I want to be a constant positive factor in their lives. The second item on my list would have to be the literature. I am constantly reading or wishing I was but this was not always the case for me. I started out school with a severe hatred of reading but through the help of my family and many successful teachers I was able to find my passion for books. I want to share this passion with my students and hopefully make a difference in their habits.

//**Traditional Practices v. Alternative Beliefs**// **reflection** The main point the the authors are trying to show the reader is the shift between a teacher centered classroom (traditional) and a student center classroom (alternative). Instead of the teacher being in complete control of learning, subject matter, and testing; the students now have a part in their learning. Education is no longer standardized for the "normal" student but it is not individualized for each students personal needs. Students are active in their learning through research, discovery, and formative testing. This is a move away from the traditional lecture style and regurgitate the teachers words on a test. This is authentic learning. This is how I believe education should be. There are very few students who learn from or benefit from traditional teaching methods. These alternative beliefs helps access a wider range of students and effectively draw them into the subject. We are no longer in an educational system that requires the traditional. As new teachers we have the opportunity to explore more alternative ways of teaching and reach the students who may have been looked over with traditional methods.

The biggest takeaway for me was actually a very small part of the text. A brief line stated that there were 3.8 million ELL students in the U.S in the school year 2003-2004. This statistic absolutely shocked me. I have always know that the number was high but I do not believe I was prepared for a number that high. This statistic really encourages me to do more research on ELL students and how to best teach them. I want to become adequately prepared for teaching these students and I want to have many tools to aid them. I never want to become one of those teachers that ignores a students needs just because they are not "traditional". This small statistic has put some concern in my mind about my preparedness in the educational realm. I am thankful that I saw this because at this point I am still learning and have some time to prepare myself for these types of situations.
 * Takeaway**