While first enrolling in the Master of Arts in Education program at Michigan State University, I thought that I would most want to use what I learned in the courses I took and apply that to my own classroom. Since enrolling in the Masters of Arts program, my professional goals and direction have changed and thus my educational goals have changed as well.

 

When I first began the program, I thought my goals were focused on my classroom. I wanted to learn how to make my teaching better and to make me a better educator. I wanted to take things directly from the courses and put them in place in my classroom in an attempt to utilize my education to help the students in my classroom. My goal of creating a hands-on learning environment was another goal that I have been striving for since I became an educator. I took courses that would give me tips on how to make my classroom more hands-on and more engaging for all of my students. I wanted everything in my courses to be beneficial for me, but more importantly, I wanted what I learned to be beneficial to my students as well.

 

As I progressed through the program, I felt that my goals shifted from focusing on the classroom to focusing on a school as a whole. I transitioned out of the classroom and decided that the courses I would take should also reflect my transition. I decided to shift my concentration from math and science to leadership. I felt that this was not only in line with my career move, but also my ultimate career goals. I feel that now I am thinking that the courses I took in regards to becoming a better leader were focused much more on how a whole school runs rather than focusing on one classroom. This change in goals helped me to get in the proper mindset to allow me the ability to transition easily and use my new goals of focusing on how to create a great learning environment for an entire school and how to better relate to the different students and families I will encounter.

 

I think that the biggest reason for my goals from the program changed was due to my career changes. I felt that in my career and the changes I was experiencing, the importance of the courses I take reflecting my career was crucial to my success in both. I think that the goals of my program were necessary for me to be aware of the entirety of the program so I could adjust the courses I was taking to better fit my career and educational goals.

 

I know a change in goals was the best for me because I wanted to make sure that my program was being the most useful for my career. As I have continued to move through my career I know that the goals I have will change and that the program has helped me to reach my goals.