Before The Trip...

*Why you are taking this course?

I am taking this course because it sounded very exciting when I heard about it on my first visit to SUNY Cortland.  I have a close friend who has a camp on a small lake in the Adirondacks called Loon Lake.  I feel so peaceful and love every minute of my visits there each summer.  I have also camped on Raquette Lake with my family in the past and have enjoyed all of the outdoor activities. 

*Why did/do you want to be a teacher? (If you are one of the students taking course who is not in education, change this answer to whatever your chosen field is)

When I was a high school student I was a lifeguard at our local pools. I really enjoyed being around young kids all day long and ever since then I have only had jobs where I was working with children.  I love it and cannot think of anything else I would rather make a living doing!  It is a very rewarding job where you can see in such a short amount of time (a school year) the impact that school, the classroom, and teachers have on children. 

*What are your professional goals in teaching?

My personal professional goal for teaching is to always continue learning.  I know that we are all pushing our way through our masters programs and will be excited to complete it, but at the same time I hope that I will continue to take classes and learn new things that I can take back to teaching (at my own pace of course)!  I also have a goal to continue trying new things. I don’t want to have a classroom that is like a broken record every year.  I want to have the drive to try and bring new ideas to my classroom to keep my life and the lives of my students exciting and new. 

 *Do you think you will make a career in teaching?

Right now I would have to say that I think I will make a career in teaching.  I truly love this job. When I think about doing it for 20-30 years it can be a little scary, but I think it will become my career!

   *What are your goals for this course and this week with us in the ADKs?

            One goal for this class is to have fun!  I want to learn the Adirondacks on deeper level than just camping there.  By looking through all of our materials I am already learning a lot about this national park, its successes and challenges.  I am hoping to try new things because we are constantly encouraging our students to do so and you are always happy in the end that you tried something new!  I am also hoping to bring things back from this trip that I can use in the classroom.  I hope to incorporate Adirondack material into science, ELA, and field trips (virtual or real)!  I am really looking forward to the upcoming week and can’t wait to have some fun!  I am also looking forward to the scenery...I love the views around Raquette Lake!