Introduction

Hello New Classmates!

My name is Joanna and I live in San Diego, Ca. I decided to become a high school teacher because I believe that education is one of the most important aspects within society. Helping young adults learn how to think critically about the world is something that I hold dear to my heart, and it excites me when I have helped someone learn something important.

When I was out of high school I spent a lot of time with my little brother who was still in high school. I used to help him with "common sense" things that our mom did not teach us. I helped him understand his homework assignments, and how to write well organized essays. I loved when he would ask for help. This is how I knew I wanted to teach high school. However, I was nervous because I was not the smartest kid in my high school. I officially felt confident going into this profession when my brother asked me for help several times one week, and I did not know the answers for biology or how to complete the calculus problems. With a little bit of research we were able to figure it out, and he got A's on all the assignments!

In 11th grade I took AP U.S. History and I had an incredible teacher. Although I have learned that differentiation is key to teaching a broad range of students, this teacher in particular only lectured, and would write about 5 key terms on the board each day. This worked for me specifically as a student, and I fell in love with history. I am not great at memorizing information, so when people say "Oh you're a history major? What year did Andrew Jackson take office?" I am stumped. (And yes, this very question was posed to me in a social setting once!) But, I do not let this affect me. I am great at analyzing information and drawing connections. I am confident in this, and I know that when I am researching I need to write dates and other information that is difficult for me to remember down in a place that is easily visible.

I currently wake up at 4:30am each day to substitute teach at a local high school until 3pm, and work at a restaurant each night from 5pm to midnight. I know that teaching will be hard, especially during the first year, but I am looking forward to the mental challenge and also looking forward to exiting my time working 20 hours/day - plus school.

Substitute teaching has been an invaluable experience and I suggest it for all future teachers. I have seen many classrooms and spoken with many teachers and students about how things work, what the teachers do to keep their class under control, how teachers deal with prominent cell phone use in the classroom, and things that students appreciate and do not appreciate about their classrooms.

I know this post is a bit late (had plenty of trouble with the new system) but I am sincerely looking forward to the remainder of this class with all of you!

Best,
Joanna Koppang

Monday, March 16, 2015

Team Technology Questionnaire



Team Technology Questionnaire 

My closest type is ENFJ
“If your closest personality type is ENFJ then you are someone who seeks to develop and promote personal growth in your friends, family or colleagues. You sometimes have a sense of their potential which may extend beyond how they see themselves. You also seek to develop the potential within relationships or the team. However, you don't push so hard that it creates conflict, because keeping the harmony in your relationships is also important.” (http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/mmdi/questionnaire/)

Second Closest Type: ESFJ
“If your closest personality type is ESFJ then you seek to develop harmony in relationships, and promote cooperation and teamwork. You regard the needs of others as very important, perhaps more so than your own, and seek to recognize their contributions and make them feel valued. You encourage and motivate others, engender team spirit, and try to overcome any conflict by finding common ground and ways in which people can agree.” (http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/mmdi/questionnaire/)


It is amazing to me how spot-on my closest type (ENFJ) and second closest type (ESFJ) describe me! I always believe people can grow, learn, and be even better people- whether it is a better person for them individually or better for society. (Although, in general if someone is bettering themselves that is usually a good thing for society as well. I certainly do not push people in a way that disrupts the amicability within relationships. Well, to be honest, I have, and that is a very unnecessary and unpleasant experience). I believe in empowering people to grow and succeed, not pushing them down for doing things incorrectly. Constructive criticism in a positive manner is essential to my way of teaching. Certainly, there will be some “pushing down” when students do not do their work, etc. But in most cases I believe in helping students see that they are capable, and it will take work to complete things properly. But in all honesty it probably won’t take the amount of time or work that they think it will. Many tasks seem overly daunting until you begin to work through them one step at a time, and I believe in helping students understand this.
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