12/07/17

Future Student Letter

Portfolio Review

Dear Future Student,

Your career in education may seem far off. Afterall, you have many classes to take, field

observations to experience, and lesson plans to write. It may seem like a hurdle, just to get through your

OWN education. This is all true, however, this time will pass quickly. It is up to you to make it as

meaningful and engaging as possible. This part of your career is just as important as the middle or end,

because now is the time for you to build the foundation of your educational practices.

Alverno has provided me with invaluable experience and depth of knowledge to be able to relate

my current studies into real world practice. Alvernos emphasis on the Outcome Ability

Conceptualization has truly helped me understand the theories behind education, and implement them

into my own lesson design. We continually learn about various theorists such as Vygotsky, and his Zone

of Proximal Development theory to Bandura and his Social Learning Theory. Each class has required the

use of educational learning theories to be implemented into a lesson design. This helps us as educators,

because we can link a scientifically studied practice into our own classroom. This helps us connect to

scientifically measurable practices, and reflect upon our own lessons and designs.

Another Outcome Ability that has been meaningful in my educational journey is the Diagnosis

ability. This is one of the most important ways to connect to students on an individual basis. Just like a

doctor, we are to examine our students very carefully. We should use our knowledge of scientifically

studied theories, to be able to make connections and relevance to an individuals interests, abilities, and

needs. I have learned that educators need to have an arsenal of different techniques to use because there

is never a one size fits all policy in the classroom. We must know our students well enough to diagnose

what their strengths are, and allow them to grow. We must also know how to encourage students to reflect
on their own weaknesses in order to improve. Each student will be receptive to a difference type of

encouragement and direction.

Coordination is another area of significance in the LTM program. It is absolutely essential that an

educator is well versed in the area of lesson plan design. We must have a limitless realm of resources and

strategies to choose from, so it is important to begin gathering your tools now. You can do this through

your own research and observation, but you will also do this during your time in the field placements. It

seems overwhelming at first because there are so many standards to make connections to, but over time,

and with a great understanding of educational theories and individual needs, these standards and

objectives seem to fit naturally together. It is up to you to make the planning process smooth and fluid by

covering all of your bases in terms of planning and preparation.

Another ability that you will be well versed in is Communication. Educators must learn to

communicate in many different contexts, and to a variety of audiences. We must learn to be able to

communicate appropriately and effectively to our students. Beyond that, we must also learn to speak with

the parents to discuss areas of strengths and improvements. It is also essential that we learn to address our

colleagues effectively as well. We work and collaborate constantly with each other, and our lessons and

school culture are best when we have been in complete communication with one another. Areas in

technology have allowed us to enhance our ability to effectively communication with each other, as we

can provide meaningful lessons, contact information, and extra resources and help to our students.

The final ability outcome is Integrative Interaction. Like the other abilities, this is an essential

component to the educational profession. As we have learned through the study of many educational

theorists, each learner has an individual set of needs, experiences, interests, goals, and home life. Our job

is to be able to educate the polar ranges of students. The above mentioned abilities help us in our efforts

in integrative interaction. This means that we are able to decide what is effective for each student, and

create a meaningful way to connect that students to lessons and practice that are individually accessible
for the student. An educator cannot create meaning without adaptation and understanding, so it is

important to first view every situation with a positive, and growth based mindset. You will find yourself

molding and blending all of the abilities, theories, and practices that you have learned together. You will

create your own recipes for success, and you must acknowledge and accept that the students are your

collaborators in this endeavor.

These abilities are the colors of which you will begin to paint yourself as an educator. You will

find yourself creating your own colors as you blend each of these abilities together, with each other, with

your students, and with your experiences. The projects that you create at Alverno will make this task

relevant and meaningful to you during your challenges, and will also support you to continually evolve

throughout your career.

Best wishes,

Vanessa Matusin