What I Thought Then, and What I Know Now
By: James Perry
I did not know quite what to expect when I applied to the Masters of Art in Education online program through Michigan State University. I was a little nervous about how I would handle the workload, how tough the classes would be, and keeping up with my job as a teacher and coach at the same time. I remember writing my professional goals statement in January of 2009, one of the requirements when applying for the graduate program. My goals at the time included using the knowledge I receive from my graduate classes to become a better educator and coach and to apply that information into my current profession. I wanted to learn about new ideas about effective teaching and implement them into my teaching practice. I also knew that I wanted my concentration area to be in sport leadership and coaching. I was a beginner coach at the time when I began my MAED classes, with limited experience as a head coach at the junior high and junior varsity levels. I was hoping to get a better understanding of what it takes to be a great leader and how best to get the most out of my players. I had also hoped that my concentration area of sport leadership and coaching would have ideas that would also help me to better myself as a physical educator.
Now that I have nearly completed my masters program through Michigan State University, I have taken a look back at my initial goals and reflected on how my goals have changed or stayed the same. I definitely feel that my number one goal of becoming a better educator and coach has been met. I know that I still have room to grow and improve in these areas, but the MAED program has given me insight and ideas on teaching and coaching, many that I have already used in my current teaching. Some examples of this is the classroom management class that I took one of the semesters. I thought that I could improve in this area and by taking the class I learned some perspective on how to better control my students learning environment. I also took a reading course that was required by the state. Being a physical education teacher, I was not sure how that would help me as a teacher or how well I would do in the class. I walked away with some valuable methods of teaching reading and writing and also was able to come up with some ways to incorporate these areas into my physical education curriculum.
My goals regarding my concentration area of sport leadership and coaching changed a little from my original aspirations. I took a couple of kinesiology courses that gave me some insight on how to be an athletic director. When I chose this concentration area, I was thinking I would only learn about ways to become a better coach for youth, but in the end, not only did I accomplish that, but I also realized that maybe after my coaching/teaching career, I could become and athletic director. The courses in my concentration area have come in handy especially since I am currently in my first year of coaching a varsity basketball team. I have used some of the coaching theories and methods I learned in my MAED classes in my coaching experience.
I believe that many of my goals have stayed the same and I have reached them in my experience throughout the MAED program. I added some goals as the program went on and I experienced different courses. I feel that my time has been well spent and that my hard work throughout the graduate program has paid off as I have had many positive experiences. I have met lots of new people, improved my knowledge of using online technology, and most of all the program has helped me better myself as a teacher and a coach.
Now that I have nearly completed my masters program through Michigan State University, I have taken a look back at my initial goals and reflected on how my goals have changed or stayed the same. I definitely feel that my number one goal of becoming a better educator and coach has been met. I know that I still have room to grow and improve in these areas, but the MAED program has given me insight and ideas on teaching and coaching, many that I have already used in my current teaching. Some examples of this is the classroom management class that I took one of the semesters. I thought that I could improve in this area and by taking the class I learned some perspective on how to better control my students learning environment. I also took a reading course that was required by the state. Being a physical education teacher, I was not sure how that would help me as a teacher or how well I would do in the class. I walked away with some valuable methods of teaching reading and writing and also was able to come up with some ways to incorporate these areas into my physical education curriculum.
My goals regarding my concentration area of sport leadership and coaching changed a little from my original aspirations. I took a couple of kinesiology courses that gave me some insight on how to be an athletic director. When I chose this concentration area, I was thinking I would only learn about ways to become a better coach for youth, but in the end, not only did I accomplish that, but I also realized that maybe after my coaching/teaching career, I could become and athletic director. The courses in my concentration area have come in handy especially since I am currently in my first year of coaching a varsity basketball team. I have used some of the coaching theories and methods I learned in my MAED classes in my coaching experience.
I believe that many of my goals have stayed the same and I have reached them in my experience throughout the MAED program. I added some goals as the program went on and I experienced different courses. I feel that my time has been well spent and that my hard work throughout the graduate program has paid off as I have had many positive experiences. I have met lots of new people, improved my knowledge of using online technology, and most of all the program has helped me better myself as a teacher and a coach.
