During my time with the MAT program at Marygrove College, I have been stretched professionally in ways that I did not expect. With this project, I would like to share some of my experiences and have included artifacts in order to demonstrate a clearer picture of what I have learned during my studies. Keep in mind that I would never be able to portray everything that I have learned in this program with just a presentation. Some of the benefits that this program has extended to me and my students cannot be demonstrated with examples or words.
Going back to school at Miami University at a later age I felt confident that my previous experience and education gave me the tools necessary to become a successful Intervention Specialist. Prior to going back to school I had worked as an Educational Assistant and raised a son that has a diagnosis within the Autism spectrum. I learned a lot as the mom of a child with special needs and as a student at Miami. However, as soon as I started teaching, I quickly realized that there is a difference between learned information in the student classroom and real-life learning experiences in the teaching classroom. I found myself searching for answers to common problems that new teachers experience. I had learned the definition of many methods and practices in the classroom. However, it was not until I entered the classroom that I learned the true meaning of differentiation, assessment, response to intervention, Bloom's taxonomy and other educational terms. The MAT program at Marygrove has given me an experience with these types of educational methods that have been grounded in real life classroom situations. My studies at Marygrove have been a big contribution to the success that I have had as a teacher these last two school years.
In order to appropriately share what I have learned throughout my master’s program, I must give credit to my students who have been so cooperative, and have willingly participated in anything that I have asked of them. They have not complained or avoided any of the activities that were included in my Action Research Project. I would also like to extend my appreciation for the support (and patience) my professors have shown throughout my studies at Marygrove College. I am grateful for what I have learned and will continue to implement the resources and knowledge I have gained to the best of my ability.