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Agency. Engagement. Growth.
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Lynda Tuttle-Bergner
I grew up in Rancho, now known as American Canyon. I went to Kindergarten through the 12th grade in Napa schools. I always knew that I wanted to go to college, but I was told that I wasn't college material. I attempted attending directly out of high school, but life happened and I had to quit. I worked, got married, had children and attempted to get my degree 4 different times before I was finally able to finish. I am thankful for all of the failures as it made me more determined the to keep my head down and not stop for ANYTHING on what I knew would probably be my last opportunity. It has taken 9 years, but I have completed 2 AS Degrees, 1 BA and I am almost finished with my MA.
I have worked with students from preschool to college age, and within 15 minutes of being in a Special Education classroom at a middle school, I knew that it was where I belonged. I love being a teacher, there is nothing better than being in the classroom with students. I believe that every child is “Gifted and Talented” and every child is a “Special Education'' student. This phrase simply means that every child excels at something and every child struggles with something, it just depends on the task. Every child is different and deserves an excellent education that will be the foundation of their future. I make sure that all students know that they all have the potential to succeed, and that the only thing that stands in the way of them achieving their goals is their own self. Some people will have it easier than others, but everyone can attain their goals if they work hard enough. At the end of the day, I want students to feel as though they really can achieve their dreams if they are willing to work at it.
I have worked with students from preschool to college age, and within 15 minutes of being in a Special Education classroom at a middle school, I knew that it was where I belonged. I love being a teacher, there is nothing better than being in the classroom with students. I believe that every child is “Gifted and Talented” and every child is a “Special Education'' student. This phrase simply means that every child excels at something and every child struggles with something, it just depends on the task. Every child is different and deserves an excellent education that will be the foundation of their future. I make sure that all students know that they all have the potential to succeed, and that the only thing that stands in the way of them achieving their goals is their own self. Some people will have it easier than others, but everyone can attain their goals if they work hard enough. At the end of the day, I want students to feel as though they really can achieve their dreams if they are willing to work at it.
Reflections on my Journey
My journey thus far in the program has been about growth and acceptance. I started the program with what I would consider basic skills, and was those skills have grown. In the beginning I was worried that I wouldn't be able to keep up, but had to learn that my journey was about my growth, no one else'. I learned how to do things that I didn't think that I could, and learned to believe in myself. While I still plan to continue to work on my research, I am happy and content with my own digital skills. Like everything else in life, my skills will get better with time, but I feel as though I have a great intermediate foundation in which to build upon and I now have the confidence to learn more.
Lasting Learning from the Innovative Learning programWhile I do not know where my teaching journey will take me, I do know that the skills that I have attained and what I have learned from my project has changed my pedagogy from this moment on.
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TPACK ReflectionTPACK was the biggest part of my Master's Journey. It involved bridging the gap not only in my own technological skills but also attempting to bridge the gap in my student's technological skills. I am trying to add more of the technological aspect into my classroom routine while trying to balance content knowledge and my pedagogy. For me, TPACK is an ever changing, ever evolving thing that just keeps improving.
Students have more access to technology than ever before. Even with the access, students are still struggling to use technology in academic related ways. Students must be able to attain basic tech skills in order to be successful in school and then in their everyday lives and we as teachers must be there to bridge the gap. |
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