Blog in the Field

        Mrs. Bremer's blog is full of resources and activities for early childhood teachers. According to her blog, she has been teaching for over 19 years in Canada, and has recently moved from being a kindergarten teacher to a second grade teacher.
        The first thing I observed about her blog was her recent Valentine’s Day activity. Instead of students giving each other candy and a store made card, she encouraged her students to fill out a compliment card for each of their peers. After delivering the notes to each other, the students pasted their compliments on a poster board and decorated it with a Valentine’s Day theme. I absolutely love this idea! Mrs. Bremer also has this picture frame hanging in her classroom recognizing a student for a specific behavior. I believe that recognition is a great motivator, and students will strive to display positive behavior so they will be acknowledged. I plan to implement community building activities like these in my classroom.

        Mrs. Bremer has a lot of resources available for other early childhood educators. She has created links to websites where teachers are able to buy worksheets and activities. She has also posted pictures of activities her students have completed so teachers can create similar  activities. Her units are organized by category, which helps teachers find resources quickly. I will definitely use some of these ideas as an early childhood teacher, and love exploring all of the fun, engaging, and interactive activities possible!

Technology in Education

        The article entitled "3 Things Great Teachers Do with Technology",” written by the director of EdTech Teacher, Tom Daccord, discusses three ways in which educators can effectively use technology to support their teaching. The article reminded me of a discussion a professor had with my class about designing lesson plans. He told his class of future educators that selecting learning goals should be done before choosing engaging activities. “It is okay to use glitter and cotton balls!” said my professor, “Just make sure that they are helping students achieve the learning goal chosen.” Daccord's ideas about integrating technology are similar to my professor's beliefs about cotton balls and glitter. Daccord states that students may find technology “cool and engaging - but if the teacher hasn’t defined why they’re using that tool, its integration has no clear, educational purpose” (1). The author lists three ways in which teachers can use technology in their classrooms.
        The first way Daccord suggests teachers can effectively include technology in their teaching is by empowering students through creativity. Students are able to demonstrate their knowledge in various ways by using technology. For examples, learners are able to type assignments, create presentations, or even record a song. Allowing students to use their creativity will motivate them to complete their assignments and learn the information more thoroughly.
        Technology also provides students with the opportunity to connect with other learners. Skype, FaceTime, and other video chats allow students from different cities, states, and even countries to communicate. This makes learning much more interesting and meaningful. Instead of reading about a country in a textbook, students are able to connect with another student in that area and see or hear first hand about their culture.
        Danccord’s third argument for using technology in the classroom is that students remember the facts and concepts longer than if they simply memorized information for a test. Using technology to create a project requires students to spend time reading, analyzing, and outlining a project.
        Technology can be very beneficial for elementary education students if there is a purpose and goal for its use. I agree with Daccord that technology helps students become engaged and motivated to learn when used correctly.

Teaching Philosophy

        My goal as an educator is to provide my students with an inclusive, safe environment where they feel accepted, challenged, and supported. In order to achieve this goal, there are some systems and rules I will need to establish and enforce throughout the year. 

        First, I will have no tolerance for bullying in my classroom or outside of my classroom. All individuals deserve to be treated with respect and kindness. I will demonstrate these behaviors when working with all my students and will have consequences for those who choose not to treat all individuals with respect. Students will be directly taught how to ignore specific, inappropriate behaviors and how to lead others by example.

        Second, my classroom environment will be supportive and organized in an accessible manner . I will limit the amount of posters and pictures on my walls so students are not over stimulated and distracted. I plan to provide students with an area where they are able to take a break if they become frustrated or upset. This will ensure that the classroom environment remains safe and positive. 

        Third, I plan to differentiate the learning material for my students of varying abilities. This will ensure that all my students have the opportunity to be challenged and learn. I plan to utilize other teachers by asking for ideas and accommodations. I will encourage my students to believe in themselves and their abilities by providing them with appropriate scaffolding. 

Autobiographical Information

My older sister (lef0 and I (right) at a recent wedding!

        Hello there! My name is Kristin Gosse, and I am a junior at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. I am majoring in Early Childhood Regular Education and Special Education. I have a mother, father, and an older sister, Sarah, who is 23 years old. Sarah was diagnosed with autism when she was about 5 years old. In the future, I want to work with children with autism in an early childhood setting.
        My family has lived in Brown Deer, Wisconsin for about 21 years. Attending the Brown Deer School District has provided me with the opportunity to interact with students from various backgrounds and ethnicities. Due to my experiences, I find it easy to relate to diverse groups of people. Brown Deer also offers many extracurricular activities. Sarah and I were both members of the swim team and orchestra. I was also a member in the band, student council, National Honors Society, and involved in the musicals. Due to my parents efforts, and staff members in the district, Sarah was enrolled in general education classes throughout elementary, middle, and high school. She was able to develop social relationships with her peers and challenged academically. Though Sarah found academic material difficult to master, she worked very hard and kept a positive attitude. The skills and abilities she has learned have helped her secure a job at the Brown Deer Public Library as a page, along with a job at a tax office shredding papers.
        Leaving Brown Deer and moving to Oshkosh was a very difficult transition. I have always felt a the "big sister" of my family and have taken on many family responsibilities. However, I am very grateful for my supportive friends and professors that surround me at this university. I have met many people through my involvement on campus. I am a member of Student Council for Exceptional Children which is an organization that works with children with disabilities. I was also an Odyssey Leader, campus tour guide, and was recently hired as a Community Advisor in Fletch Hall. This position has provided me with the opportunity to gain leadership skills, help freshman transition and be successful at Oshkosh, and meet some of my closest friends.
        In my free time, I enjoy going to the beautiful Student Recreation Center, spending time outdoors, and socializing. During the summer my family and I visit our cottage in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin where we kayak, take walks, and tube. I am very thankful for the vast amount of opportunities and blessings I have in my life, and I am looking forward to my future as an educator!