User talk:Myanc004

What an exciting life you lead. I cannot even begin to imagine the excitement you will bring to the classroom with your ability to present cultural diversity!

Yes it is so very important not to prejudge children. Accepting them as they appear at the beginning of a new relationship and encouraging growth in them, and in yourself, throughout those interactions. Fantastic!

Pkenn005 (talk) 19:31, 11 September 2008 (UTC)

Well said Mary. I was very touched by your author page on how well put together it was. I wanted to start off by saying there were a few things in your personal and teaching philosophy that touched me. Your personal philosophy statement and the first part of you teaching philosophy connected and that was awesome. Being able to feel that you can grow just as much as the students around you is wonderful. You also commented that as a teacher you may not succeed or see immediate results but that teaching and learning is not about being prefect or instantaneous results but about growing and helping others to grow and develop. I think that all teachers need to remember this and if we do than our students will see this and model it as well. Mary I have some questions I would like to ask you and maybe you could get back to me. 1) What part of Texas are you from? 2) I have always wanted to travel and some day I will but right know I do not have the resources to do so. I enjoying hearing about places that others have been to. Can you suggest one place that I and my 8 yr. old son would find cultural different and enjoyable to learn from? One last commit. It is wonderful that you have done all those things and have not given up on your career choice. KimberleyKridg002 (talk) 21:30, 13 September 2008 (UTC)

Thanks both Pkenn005 and Kridg002 for your comments and I would like to answer your questions as best I can. 1) I am from the central, what we call "Hill Country" region of Texas. 2) I have enjoyed all the places I have visited for one reason or another, and it is all about keeping an open mind about everything, including your schedule. Japan and Asia in general are extremely culturally different areas to visit, however Japan is very costly, and self excursion travel is a little limited because of the lack of recognizable alphabet usage outside major cities such as Tokyo. The flights to the Pacific areas are also very lengthy, and you arrive with your days completely swapped around. I think Europe is a good place to start. Central and Northern Europe provide culturally different environments, but you're still able to decern signs which allows more self exploration and travel. I have not yet had the opportunity to go to South or Central America, but have heard that they are also wonderful places to visit.Myanc004 (talk) 02:11, 14 September 2008 (UTC)

Milr26 (talk) 19:44, 14 September 2008 (UTC) Hi Mary. I enjoyed reading you page. I think it's great that you have continued to pursue your degree(s). It took me ten years (and a lot of loans) to get my bachelors - and it was worth it! I was very impressed with both of your philosophies. I agree that it's important to be open-minded. Kids can be very judgmental and I think it's important to expose them to other cultures/ ideas and also to teach them tolerance. With your first-hand experiences, it will make it more exciting for your students.

I also love your philosophy regarding the potential in every student. This can totally "make or break" a student's school experience. Teachers with this belief are the ones that can really make a difference in the student's self-esteem and make learning a positive experience. I think you are going to make an excellent teacher!

Mary, Sounds like you've had an exciting life. I, on the other hand, have been in Virginia my whole life. Oh well, one day I'm sure I will get out and about. I do have to agree with what you said about technology in the classroom. I do think that the way these children learn...they can just google it...pretty soon they won't need us unless we teach them which sites are okay and which sites to stay away from. Good luck with that. Echer004 (talk) 22:39, 14 September 2008 (UTC)