As I reflect on the process and development of my Kenan Fellow lesson plan, I realize that the most difficult portion of the lesson was targeting the goal I would address.  My project assignment was to make connections with STEM working with CommScope and mentor Doug Blew.  My experience with CommScope was extensive and I left my summer externship with many ideas of possible goals and objectives that I could target.  During this past year, I have written and implemented many lesson plans, but I eventually decided to develop my unit on earth science and water quality.

I loved the portion of my externship where I was able to test the water quality of the site and witness the working of the wastewater treatment center.  As I look back at the process, I realize that I made changes on most every lesson that I taught and am planning to utilize the changes this spring as I review for our end of grade exam.

Using the Lenovo tablet was definitely an advantage as I worked on my externship this past summer. The tablet was small, lightweight and complete with a functional case!  The video camera was awesome and made for some great pictures and video. Working with a windows based program made it easy for me to create and save documents.  I know the keyboard was a problem for some, but I did not experience any problems with connectivity and I continue to utilize the keyboard when working on the tablet.

Using the Lenovo in the classroom also has its benefits.  The ability to quickly take pictures has allowed me to capture many student activities.

As I reflect on my lesson implementation, I realize that although my lesson has been taught, I am not finished.  The process of research and lesson development has been enjoyable and I continue to “recreate” each lesson knowing that I will have another opportunity for implementation as the end of year review approaches.

Teaching the process of engineering has been a challenge, but now that I have gone through the process, I am comfortable with implementation of new ideas into lessons plans.  I believe the students have gained a new appreciation for the idea of engineering careers.  As a teacher, understanding the components involved in engineering has given me confidence to develop and try new aspects of teaching.

Partnership: A relationship between individuals or groups that is characterized by mutual cooperation and responsibility, as for the achievement of a specified goal.

This summer I was part of a partnership with CommScope allowing me to work alongside Doug Blew, VP of Global Manufacturing Engineering. Together we partnered to develop curriculum to better prepare local students for STEM-based degree programs. What does this partnership mean to me? It means that I have a mutual responsibility to take the valuable information that was given to me from CommScope and to bring it to life inside the classroom.

The Kenan Fellowship not only partners a fellow with a mentor, but also creates a partnership with community by utilizing the local media. Because of this partnership with the media, I have been able to collaborate with the local American Radio Relay League to assist in developing lesson plans that tie HAM communications into science curriculum. I also have been able to collaborate with other teachers in the district who want to know and learn about STEM in the middle school.

Kenan Fellows Cohort 2013-3014

After completing all three Kenan Fellows Professional Development Institutes, I can say that each one provided a specific purpose and met different personal and professional needs.  My time at NCCAT gave me focus and purpose as I began spending time with my mentor.  The speakers provided quality instruction and tools that would guide future lesson plans.  Time spent with other Kenan Fellows was awesome and inspiring.

The second PD at NC State provided support while I was in the thick of my fellowship.  Again, the speakers provided quality instruction while time spent with fellows working on lesson plans for grade alike topics provided inspiration and guidance.   As the Kenan Fellows gathered this past week for PD, it was comforting to see that I was not the only teacher extremely stressed and sadly disappointed with the current state of education in North Carolina.  Speakers Will Cross and J.B. Buxton provided stress relief! Cross with his knowledge of copyright and Buxton with his encouraging words that perhaps teachers can make a difference.

After spending time over the past few months with my Kenan Fellows, I was not completely surprised by each persons leadership style.  I have truly enjoyed my time with each fellow,  I realized during the CCL session, as we grouped ourselves by style, that we really do complement each other.

I feel strongly that one more PD is necessary.   This PD would bring together Kenan Fellows (past and current) for the purpose of discussing and providing solutions to our current educational issues. The Kenan Fellows Program provides a platform of quality teachers and administrators, I know collaboratively we could be the voice of reason.

As I reflect on this issue of social media in the classroom, I believe that the safety of students must be first priority in all learning activities provided.  We are in an age where the goal in education is to provide technology to every student. Our students have become “addicted” to communication through the use of social media and much of what is being communicated amongst students is mean, hurtful and unproductive. Although social media can be a great tool for teaching, I don’t believe it is the best use of our student’s time while learning.   As teachers and administrators, the goal should remain to give students the best education possible and to spark student interest in many areas. In the future, I believe the question in education might be addressing the need to engage students outside of technology.

My Kenan Fellowship has changed my entire approach to teaching this year. The professional development offered to me this summer has provided an enormous amount of information and resources. The opportunity to collaborate with other teacher has given me confidence to change my teaching style.  I have already begun to incorporate many innovative teaching techniques such as utilizing interactive science notebooks and creating “flipped” classroom lessons.

I am realizing with every lesson I prepare, that I have changed a great deal. My purpose in the classroom is changed; my goal for students is changed, my perception of who I am as a “colleague” is changed.  My time as a Kenan Fellow has given me the tools to become a teacher of excellence and I will always be grateful for such an amazing experience.

As I reflect on my internship with CommScope, my biggest “aha” moment has been the realization that I have an opportunity to share with students and colleagues my experience working with a company that has given the world the ability to communicate with each other.  CommScope has been in the business of making cable for many years.  They have provided employment for many over the years and a large number of current employees are 20 to 30 year veterans.  I’m amazed to think that as a small community, we are all connected to the rest of the world because of the work of CommScope and the manufacturing of cable made practically in my backyard.

As a science teacher it is easy to discuss science around the world, but I have wanted to take that discussion to another level.  While sharing at our last PD, I visualized just how this could look in the classroom.  CommScope is all over the world in countries such as China, Germany, Mexico, Scotland, Ireland, Brazil, with manufacturing sites all over the US.  I have gained knowledge about global environmental issues such as ROHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and the WEE Directive (Waste Electrical Electronic).  There are so many new “connections” I have made this summer and I am looking forward to sharing these experiences with my students.

My summer experience with CommScope has caused me to rethink my entire classroom setting and presentation.  I am creating flipped assignments and developing classroom labs.  I can easily tie in the knowledge I gained with the entire 8^th grade science curriculum.

I will begin by making connections with chemistry, the arrangement of plastics, metals, metalloids on the Periodic Table and how they are used in the world of communications.  I will also utilize my mentor’s knowledge to create activities related to communications, (A timeline of communications). I will also engage students in the process of becoming globally conscience, by making intentional decisions to recycle, reuse and reduce our resources. This will tie into the Earth science unit.  To incorporate life science, I will use the examples from the waste water treatment plant to help students understand the benefits of bacteria in decomposing and cleaning of waste water as well as using Genetically Modified organism in their holding pond to keep the water clean.

I have learned the value and purpose of many careers in engineering as well as gaining an appreciation for those who love math! After working with approximately 30 engineers of different backgrounds and services, I can better direct students when choosing possible careers and in developing their academic plan for high school.

Technology has been around for years and I believe that neither Common Core nor the NC Essential Standards themselves will likely influence the positive use of technology in the classroom.  I believe the influence will come from the efforts of the school district to supply and make available necessary technology along with the conscious efforts of the teacher to create and implement lessons using technology.

The technology filled lesson plan continues to be an issue for teachers since not all students have access to computers and internet. Due to the lack of technology, teachers create two lessons; one for students who “have” technology and one for those who “have not”. Teachers that have already developed great lesson plans and maintain good EOG scores are not motivated to create new “technology” filled lessons plans, as this is a very time consuming process. Teachers themselves need to see the value before a positive change will begin.