Demographics Write-Up

Student Class Enrollment	Males:     13                                                  Females:18
Grade Level(s) in Your Class	11th
Subject(s) Taught	United States History
Demographics:
School Socio-Economic Status	_39.9_% of free and reduced lunch
School Location	_x_Urban     ____Suburban     ___Rural
Describe relevant aspects of your School & Community that influence and/or impact teaching & learning. (Examples: curriculum, reform models, school focus, community partnerships, community support level)	Classroom Demographics: In my 11th grade History class at Garfield High School there are 31 students; 13 males and 18 females. Included in this class are 8 Sped, 8 ELL and 16 below grade level on reading students. The ethnically diverse population of students attributes to the variety of parent involvement within the school community, although there is a strong PTSA presence in the high school which assists in activities and fundraisers. The technology available in my classroom includes 5 desktop computers, an Activboard, Activotes and document camera. We also have the opportunity to use the computer lab once a week for 30 minutes by appointment. School Demographics: Located in the urban area of Seattle, Garfield High School is greatly influence by the diverse culture of the people of Seattle. This diversity leads to a large range of opinions on the importance of education, with a fairly equal ratio of African-American, White and Asian/Pacific Islander students the cultural influences are a part of Garfield culture. Garfield enrolls about 1,611 students per year and has a $5,590 budget for each student per school year. With strong government emphasis on education, Garfield receives funding and support from the city as well. There is a large range of SES within the school's demographic, therefore there is a range of motivations and opinions held upon the importance of education within the community. Garfield's SES would be considered mostly middle to low income. Community Demographics: Garfield's location plays a large role in the community involvement. There are many ways for dedicated parents and community members to volunteer at Garfield High School: in the classroom, for fundraisers or after-school programs. Garfield High School is apart of Seattle Public Schools District which provides a yearly survey to all families in the district inquiring about instruction, leadership and family involvement within their students education. Each year the district provides a school report on each school that includes test scores, mission statements, anticipated budget/funding and long and short term goals. Garfield has a budget of about 9 million dollars, 85% which funds Basic and Vocational Education. In order to present a relative education to the students of Garfield High School, technological advancements to the school are presented yearly and the addition of Activboards and Activotes are increasingly appearing in more and more classrooms. The urban setting of Seattle and the high regard for education throughout the surrounding areas allows for funding and participation from outside sources. In all honesty, the success that the boys basketball team has had in the past decade has helped bring attention and money to the school in securing strong athletic programs which help in developing the character of the students that participate in athletics. There is also negative influence from the city, those that are of low income and are drawn to the life of drugs, violence and gangs which creates a dangerous atmosphere for some students who just want to receive an education. The goal of the teachers and community surround Garfield is to exhibit our mission statement as follows, "Recognizing our diverse history, Garfield educates all students as they build confidence, become active citizens and achieve academic success." 11th Grade Technology Standards: http://www.k12.wa.us/EdTech/Standards/TechStandards.aspx
Classroom  Mobility *your classroom	_10_% of student turnover within the school year
Race/Ethnicity *your classroom	_30_% Black                                                _7.7_% Hispanic         __37.6__% White                                         _0.7_% American Indian  __23.2_% Asian/Pacific Islander                       _0.5_% Multiracial
Spoken Languages *your classroom	__70__% English as a first language  __20__% Fluent in English as a second language  __10__% English-language learner
Identified Special Student Needs (List any types of specific learning disabilities and/or gifted/talented students and the number of identified students ) *Your classroom	8 IEP students (sped) 8 ELL students 16 below level reading
Academic Profile
Assessment Data:	Standardized or teacher designed test(s) administered to your students (include year given)     -MSP (offered in 10th grade)     -   __85__% Above     __55__% At Standard     __35__% Below Standard

Classroom Scenario

31 students, 8 ELL, 8 Sped, 16 below grade level in reading
Available Tech: 5 desktop computers in the classroom, Activboard, Activotes, document camera, computer lab available for 30 minutes once a week and by appt.

NET-S
Teacher- 3. Model Digital- Age Working and Learning
Student- 2. Communication and Collaboration

Blog Assignment Week Three

As I read Marc Prensky's article titled Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants I was intrigued by the major theme of division among teachers and students in the United States in the realm of education. Prensky elaborates upon this divide using examples of the "tradition" teaching methods used today in contrast with the ever-changing technological advancements of students in today's classrooms. Prensky is pressing for change to be made within education, changes that align with the changing technology that is made available in our world. The division between the digital natives and the digital immigrants was a new idea for me to process, and in many ways I was impressed and challenged by the idea of forming education around the students world.

The proposition of creating a new way of teaching is extremely daunting, but Prensky states, "So we have to invent, but not necessarily from scratch." I found this quote refreshing, there is a foundation of teaching that has been established in our country that has been successful in many ways, but we must acknowledge the changes in our world and accommodate to them. Real word application is key for students in today's world and as more students become more attached and influenced by technology, the more the educational system needs to incorporate it into the classroom. Through this article I learned that change is not only possible, but necessary and as I continue on my journey towards teaching I am excited to learn how I can become more technologically savvy to ensure my students have an educational experience that will help them all through their lives.

Blog Assignment Week Two

"It's not reform we need, its revolution," Sir Ken Robinson boldly conveys this message through his TED talk concerning his labeling of the "climate crisis" found in today's system of education. As I watched and listened to his opinions and suggestions for an educational revolution I was torn in two directions, dreams and reality.

Robinson first pinpoints the linearity found in education today, the idea that all students must follow similar guidelines, passing similar tests and gaining similar objectives in order to be successful. He offers that this system hinders the creative process and suppresses talents of students. In order for this to change Robinson suggests personalized education for each student, that in order to appeal and truly cultivate the next generation of passionate leaders education must be filled with building up the talents of the students.  Passion is what "feeds the spirit" and Robinson feels that the educational track of today lacks that sense of "nutrition" that each student needs to flourish.Another major component of Robinson's talk was his idea of the transforming the industrial education system to a more agricultural one. This idea of change echoes the previous ideas of "feeding one's spirit" through this transformation Robinson believes that students will more easily develop passions and elaborate upon their own talents because they will be cultivated in the correct way.

In an ideal world, Robinson's ideas sound great. I believe it should be the priority of a teacher to help grow young minds to find their passions and enhance their talents, but this type of "agricultural" education is extremely ideal. Personalized education would be the most beneficial to all students, yet the money, work and effort that it would cost to our society, students and teachers is not a realistic expectation. Education cannot be conformed to every individual, with millions of students in the education system in the United States, personalized plans create an equal balance of pro's and con's. So though Robinson's ideas are pleasing to the ears of almost all individuals in favor of bettering our education system, they seem to be almost unattainable.

Yet, it is the job of teachers and students to make the education system we have available the best it can be. Teachers must help students in any way possible to reach their goals and students must reciprocate by providing solid effort in order to reach or exceed those expectations. Education is not doomed, it just takes some serious passion and hard work to attempt in creating positive experiences for all those involved with such a vital system in today's world.

Spring 2012 Class Blogs

Jordyn Wilson
Adam Loga
Kristine Stipp
Arica Johnson
Beth Ross
Joshua Wenzek

Blog Assignment Week One

I come from a family of teachers, my grandfather, mother and aunt are present or past teachers. So for my entire life I have been surrounded by education in some form. Though when I was younger I dreamed of becoming an orthodontist, teaching was not necessarily an option until I had Ms. Richards for U.S. History in 11th grade. Though I had many quality teachers throughout my years at public school, Ms. Richards, in a cliche way, empowered me to learn. Through her hands-on teaching approaches and spunky personality I realized that I wanted to be just like her. She inspired me and that is when I realized that not only did I have a love for the topic of history but I had a new found love to pass on this passion to others through the art of teaching.

We live in a world full of technology, it is in our workplaces, schools, homes and pockets. Though I find technology fascinating I also find it very intimidating. I am comfortable with word documents, internet searching, e-mailing and Facebook but find more intense types of technology a little scary. At times even my "smart" phone overwhelms me. I am definitely willing to work with technology in attempts to learn more and find it exciting, but I also would admit to being a little timid.

Technology is essential in education because it is such an integral part of our society. Students are exposed to technology for many hours every day. Through this technological exposure it is important that schools are able to connect with their students by utilizing the tools found through technology. Students seem more willing to work with things that apply to them in their everyday lives and working with technology in the classroom accomplishes that task completely and is something that must be practiced.