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Synthesis Activity
Jamie Austin
Texas Woman’s University
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Career Choice
When I was a child, I wanted to be a teacher. I pretended to have “school” with my
friends, stuffed animals, and dolls. I looked forward to attending class, loved my teachers, and
sought favoritism in the classroom. I looked up to my mom, dad, aunts, and other educators in
my family. However, as I entered college, I took interest in Business and had some natural
ability in Math. I changed route, and graduated with a degree in Business Finance. While I
enjoyed my career as a rebate accountant, something was missing. I often came home feeling
unfulfilled, disappointed, and thinking I wasn’t “making a difference.” After a few years, I
became a mother and was fortunate to leave work to stay home full-time. I loved every second
of being with my children, watching them grow, and being with them every moment of the day.
However, circumstances have changed, and I’m now a single mom of two kids looking to enter
the working world to support my family. While I considered reentering “Corporate America,”
it’s not what I want. I want a work-life balance that will give me as much time with my children
as possible. I want to make a difference in the world around me. I want to feel accomplishment,
find my place, and help others to rise to their potential. I want to leave a positive impact in the
lives of others. I want to be a teacher. With my background, interests, abilities, and strengths, I
believe teaching Mathematics to elementary or middle school students would fit me best and
help accomplish my desire to reach a rewarding career.
Teaching-Learning Process
Throughout this semester and course, I’ve learned a great deal on effective and successful
methods of teaching. While every student, class, and teacher is unique, I’ve come to understand
which methods seem to fit with the vision of my desired classroom. One education application I
will use is David Sousa’s primacy and recency effect. This method allows students to learn
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when their attention is at “prime” and assigning coursework during “downtime.” I witnessed this
method during my required field observation, and it worked quite well in the math classroom. I
will also use distributed practice by assigning practice/homework for each day’s instruction. My
class time will be split into three segments.

Segment 1 (primetime #1) – new instruction

Segment 2 (downtime) – assign course practice/homework (distributed practice) to
complete and ensure student retained and understood new instruction

Segment 3 (primetime #2) - revisit/re-teach previous day’s instruction, answer
questions, and evaluate/score previous day’s practice/homework
With these methods, I hope to teach math successfully and effectively so that each student
succeeds in learning.
Classroom Management
I hope to master classroom management by creating a good environment for all students.
I hope to maintain positive and successful control, organization, and lead over my class so that
each student can learn successfully. According to Wong and Wong, “Classroom management
skill includes the things a teacher must do toward two ends:
1. Foster student involvement and cooperation in all classroom activities.
2. Establish a productive working environment.
A well-managed classroom has a set of procedures and routines that structure the classroom.” In
my classroom, I plan to incorporate the following:

Rules, instruction, and discipline measures that can easily be seen and followed (spoken
verbally and listed on the wall).
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Seating arrangements/assignments to provide an effective learning environment (easy access
to learning centers, books, and materials).

Ensure student involvement by calling on students for help, answers, and participation.

Consistency regarding classroom instruction and tests.
o 3-segment class instruction
o Tests/quizzes conducted on the same day (ex: quiz every Wednesday, test every
Friday)
Professional Development
Continued professional growth and development is necessary for any career. In
education, change is consistent. Attending workshops, seminars, conferences and meetings is a
good way to continually develop and mature to being a successful teacher. As technology,
research, development, and environmental changes affect the society around us, as teachers, we
must adapt. Another way to ensure professional development is teacher evaluation by
administrators, communication with students and parents, and summative evaluation of student
performance. I plan to continually educate myself on new strategies, tools, and procedures by
reading journal articles, research studies, etc. In addition, peer evaluation and collaboration with
coworkers will also be helpful.
Final Thoughts
Although I’m new to the journey toward a career in teaching, so far, I’ve enjoyed every
second of it. I’m certain that I’m on the right track toward a rewarding and successful career,
and I’ve learned a great deal that will aide in my success. I look forward to a profession that
provides work-life balance, a sense of accomplishment, and pride that I’ve made a positive
impact in the lives of others.
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References
Wong, H. K. & Wong, R. T. (2009). The first days of school: How to be an effective teacher.
Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.