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First Public Library
Library Background
Benjamin Franklin had the idea to open a public library in 1731, and it is still open today. I think this was a major achievement because it made books more available to even people in the lower class. -
Civilization Act of 1819
In Joel Spring's book he writes "Thomas McKenney's belief in the power of schooling to culturally transform Native Americans reflected the growing conviction among many European Americans that education was the key to social control and improvement of society." (126) Deculturalization has been a reoccuring problem in the history of education. It's an atrocity. I want to be welcoming of everyone in my class and share different sorts of culture through literature. -
Hartford Female Seminary
Catharine Beecher
Catharine Beecher started this institute to train women to be mothers and teachers, which was their typical role of the time. But, she also did a lot of progressive things like making sure women could take a wide range of subjects including Latin and Physical Education. Her school was very successful and she has been called the pioneer of physical education for women. -
Horace Mann becomes Secretary of Board of Education
Although I do not believe with all of Horace Mann's principals, I do like his ideas of equalizing men through education and giving everyone equal opportunities. He said "Education, then, beyond all other devices of human origin, is the great equalizer of the conditions of men." I believe a good education is still the best way to become who you want to be in society. -
Frederick Douglass writes his Narrative
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
I believe that this book was a huge accomplishment for African Americans and that it helped the abolitionist movement. I believe it is an empowering book because despite horrific obstacles Frederick Douglass perserves. His self-education and determination represent the spirit of slaves and he shares their culture through his words. -
Literacy of African Americans
According to Spring, in 1863 only 7% of slaves were literate within a ninety year period the literacy rate jumped to 90%. That's an achievement, but still sad that achieving literacy took so long and was reserved for white people for so long. I hope to foster literacy and be able to recognize who is struggling in my class and provide them with extra help and let my entire class know that I am there to answer questions and give them as much help as they need. -
Mamie Tape
According to Spring in 1884 Mamie Tape, a Chinese American was denied equal education. In order to keep an Asian out of San Fransico schools the school board changed their rules to prohibit Asian children, Supreme Court Judge Maguire ruled in favor of Mamie Tape saying the 14th Amendment gaurantees equal access to public schools. I think it is important to treat all my students equally and give them the same respect and expectations in class. I hope to never bring any prejudice's with me. -
Ricardo Rodriguez Trial
Texas History Ricardo Rodriguez was ruled in favor of becoming a citizen and was given the right to vote. This is considered a landmark civil rights case, since Judge Maxey decided to allow Mexicans to vote, even though they are not white. The case still shows the deep lines of inequality in our country since a white man in Texas would never have to go to trial to vote. I hope to have complete equality in my classroom. -
African American School Funding Cut
According to Joel Spring, planters in the south realized education of African Americans would take away their low wage laborers and so by 1900 "majority of public expenditures went to support white segregated schools...black children kept working in the fields" (190). This is still happening today, urban schools still are not equally funded and it is a real problem that I believe needs to be addressed and solved. -
Helen Keller Graduates from College
Helen Keller
Helen Keller was the first blind and deaf person to graduate from college. She graduated cum laude from Radcliffe. She is on my timeline because I believe she is an empowering figure. Not only did she overcome severe obstacles to gain an education, she also became a social activist. She was involved in women's rights, worker's rights and helped the disabled. -
Harold Rugg
According to Spring, Rugg was teaching lessons on "evaluating advertising" which is an area I believe many Americans need help with. His book was criticized and censored and Rugg was called a communist. I'm against book censorhip in education and I also believe that incorporating some sort of advertising knowledge into my curriculum is a good idea. -
My Granny Graduates from College
My mom's mom graduated from Wilson College with a degree in Chemistry. She went on to become a chemical engineer for RCA and was one of the pioneers of television. I think that from an early age I had a good example that women can do anything, and that gender stereotypes are just that--stereotypes. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
Brown vs. BOE Although I still think we have a long way to go, this case marked a major positive step in equality for Americans. Ending segregation, I believe, is a crucial part of equalizing different races, ethnicities, religions, and classes. -
Little Rock Nine
Little Rock Nine
This represents the high amount of racial tension in this country. National Guards had to escort the Little Rock Nine to their classes and they still were spat on, kicked, and verbally abused. It is very impressive to me that the students still chose to endure that treatment in order to get an equal education. -
I Have a Dream Speech
MLK On this day Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "I Have a Dream Speech." I personally feel that the speech was one of the most important given in history. It is a true tragedy that he was assassinated, and that some people hold such strong hatred towards others. I believe that we should all be fighting to make MLK's dream come true and that education is a good place to start. -
My Grandma becomes head of the HR Department
My grandma was a legel secretary for a long time and then switched jobs in 1966 and took over the HR Department for a company that does scientific research. Though she had no higher education she was able to take a big job being smart, organized, and hardworking. To me it is important to realize that education can only take a person so far and that motivation and determination is also tied to success. -
My Dad Graduates From College
My dad was the first in his family to go to college. He worked in the cafeteria to help pay his way through. He struggled at first and felt his high school had not adequetely prepared him ( he was relatively poor growing up and attended a mediocre school), but perservered. He continued on to law school and eventually opened his own firm. My dad always emphasized the importance of education to me, for which I am grateful. -
Pizza Hut's "Book It" Program
According to Spring Pizza Hut's Book it "program served as a public relations project and as an advertising gimmick and indirectly sold extra pizzas to parents of student winners. I personally do not think such blatent advertising has a place in school. I also believe that students need to be intrinsically motivated and will not be using Book It or programs like it in my classroom. -
My Mom Graduates from The School Based M.Ed Program at JCU
My mom graduated in 1988 from the same program I am now in, only she went into elementary education and mostly taught 5th grade, but a few other grades also. I am greatly shaped by her, especially hearing her stories about educating and what it means to be a teacher. I think going into teaching I had a good idea that it's not just talking to students in the front of the class, but so much more than that. -
Trouble Learning to Read
When I was in first grade I had trouble learning how to read so in the middle of the year my teacher felt I should be held back. My mom fought for me and worked with me. By the end of the year I was at reading level and my mom continued to work with me all summer. By second grade I was a very good reader. Reading has become one of my favorite interests. I was not particularly fond of my first grade teacher and I think that had a lot to do with my obstinance against learning. -
Maggie Goes to London
In second grade my oldest brother (13 years older!) did a study abroad in London. My parents, my Grandma, my youngest brother and I went to visit London and Paris. It was an eye-opening experience to see how different other cultures are and to see such rich history. Since I missed two weeks of school, my parents made me write about my experiences in a journal and post pictures every night. I think I realized at a young age that sometimes you learn more outside of a classroom than in it. -
Bus Bully
Beginning in fifth grade and continuing through middle school I was bullied on the bus. He made me hate riding the bus, a daily event I already strongly disliked in elementary school because there were few girls in my neighborhood the same age as me and I had to sit with the boys, who were not exactly bullies, but not nice to girls. All of this made me anxious to ride the bus. I am going to have a policy against bullying in my class. -
No Child Left Behind
No Child Left Behind
In 2001 President Bush implemented statewide accountability testing. In Ohio the test it known as the OGT. I think that these tests have stifled innovative and creative teaching by putting high pressure on teachers and school districts. I hope that despite the current testing system I don't just "teach to the test." I want my students to think analytically and value what they are learning. -
Integrated English and Social Studies Class
In eighth grade we were in teams that had four teachers.We went to class with a mixture of students in our team. I was lucky to get into the team that had an integrated Social Studies and English class. These two teachers were very enthusiastic about teaching. To this day this was one of the best classes I have ever taken and I remember more information and details about American History and English from it than I do from some of my college classes. -
Maggie Goes to High School
I was terrified of high school. I remember hyperventilating in the car as my mom was dropping me off. High School ended up being a good experience for me, and I was able to try a lot of new things, joining different clubs. I think extracurriculars are a great way to meet people and be involved with the school and I hope to help with a club as a teacher. -
Ninth Grade English
In ninth grade I was placed in Honors English, which was my first honors course. I am really glad that I ended up in this class because I believe it was the beginning of my track towards becoming an English major. I always liked reading, but this class was the first English class that challenged me. My teacher had a poster on the wall of a quote by Mark Twain that said "I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have time." Brevity was emphasized, something I am still not so good at. -
One Acts
Freshmen year I tried out for my first play, a One Act (which I can't even remember the name of) in which I played Cleopatra. I had always been a dancer, but this was my first experience acting. I immediately fell in love and was involved in every high school production after it. I then went on to minor in Theatre. I think it is important to try new experiences. I was so nervous, but I'm glad I went through with auditions. -
A Teacher Pushes me to be My Best
Towards the end of the year in high school we had to choose our schedules for the next year. In order to do that our teachers had to sign off on what level course we were going to take. I wanted to take Honors American History, but my teacher would not sign off on it. He wanted me to take AP, which I wasn't sure I could handle and was nervous about taking as a Sophomore. He assured me I could and I'm really glad he pushed me to take a more difficult class. -
Tenth Grade English
In tenth grade honors English I got the teacher who was notoriously tough. He warned us the first day if we didn't want to work hard we shouldn't be in his class. He also had the motto "dig deep" and a sand shovel, which has stuck with me. I had some pretty rough days in the class, but I liked the challenge and I loved the teacher. He really paid attention to us as individuals to foster our learning. Something I hope to do. -
Directing One Acts
My experience with One Acts came full circle. They were the first plays I ever auditioned for, and my first and only directing experience. I think this was one of the first sparks that made me want to be a teacher. Directing my peers was difficult, but also gratifying. I got to see them grow and improve throughout the process. My cast won best actor and actress, and I was so proud of their talent and achievements. I want my students to feel they can achieve as well. -
Bad Experience With Teacher
My second year of college I was having trouble understanding some of the terms we were using. So I asked and was made to feel stupid and was extremely embarrased in class. I went to this same teacher for help on a paper and he refused to give me any. This experience made me decide the sort of teacher I don't want to be. I want to help all my students who need it and welcome questions. Likely if one student has a question others are wondering the same. -
Internship at Columbus Literacy Council
My junior year I had an internship and worked with the Columbus Literacy Council, a nonprofit that helps adults learn how to read. This was an eye-opening experience. I did research on adult illteracy for a fundraiser and it is truly astonishing how many adults cannot read or write in the U.S. I need to know my students and pay attention to to their learning styles to make sure they don't leave school without the neccesary skills to succeed. -
Russian Culture Class
My senior year I took a Russian Culture class. I loved the professor. He was good at engaging people and was always available for help. He also was really good at using different types of media. He had us watch cartoons, movies, operas, and dances; we listened to music; read poetry; and short stories; and looked at paintings and photographs. I really liked the incorporation of all these different things and would like to use different types of media and technology in my classroom as well. -
Maggie Tutors
I was very flattered and motivated by this. I just hope that in my own class I find a bit of success, because I think on tough days knowing I am making a difference to at least one of my kids will be what keeps me going. -
Maggie Tutors
My senior year I began tutoring a ninth grader through a program at Ohio State. I quickly realized just how difficult teaching is. My carefully planned lessons plans were habitually thrown out the window and I often felt exasperated like I was making no impact. Then this student's father (he had two other tutors also) called me and asked me if I would continue to tutor after Ohio State's program was over because my student felt he had learned so much from me and I was helping him a lot.
