I am one of your former students in the CTE graduate program. Currently, I am working directly in the CTE field at Monroe Community College. I am an academic advisor for HVAC, Precision Machining and Automotive Technology students. I am also teaching Solar Thermal Technology in our HVAC program too. I am also coaching the Men’s And Women’s swimming teams here just as I did with the Buffalo State Swimming teams.
Gaining the Master’s Degree in CTE is truly the reason why I am in the position I am today. There is much excitement here at the Applied Technologies Center as of late. Vice President Joe Biden and his wife came to visit our CNC labs and promote our programs along with stressing the importance of CTE. I just wanted to thank you for allowing me into your program which has opened many new doors that I thought weren’t possible. I was curious if Dr. Schmidli is still around or did he retire? Hope all is well!
Sincerely, Dale D. Pearce
I hope this email finds you well and you are enjoying the beginning to your semester!
I am in school #33 ... I am currently placed in a fourth grade gifted and talented class. This experience is unique and different, as I have never been placed/experienced a G&T class. My teacher is absolutely amazing! Her classroom management skills are nothing short of absolute genius. I have become extremely engaged with the students and started to facilitate class-wide activities. Next week I will be starting to take over the read aloud for the class.
My first lesson is scheduled for September 27th, and I am extremely excited. I am planning on teaching how to write a friendly letter using a SS book the President Obama wrote (wohoo for teaching across the curriculum!). Overall, I am extremely happy at the school. All of the stockholders are nothing short of the best.
I will keep you apprised! Best, Jonathan Pollino
Hi! I'm doing my special education placement of student teaching at PS 40 in NYC. I love it so far!
I learned the names of the entire class by the third day. I stay after school with the teachers to go over the schedule for the following day. I taught my first read aloud and also administered a two part spelling assessment for the entire class. I am kind of a right hand for the teachers if they need copies, instructional or non instructional duties in the classroom performed, and simply helping to keep the class' behavior under control. I really like how much the students look to me as a third teacher.
I obviously have lots of assignments ahead but my co teachers and I sat down and planned out when I'd teach everything in two blank calendar templates for September and October. I have learned how to deal with unfamiliar behavioral issues in the classroom and the teachers I work with are so understanding, welcoming, and pretty awesome. Just sending you an update!
Thanks! Melissa Kabak
Just wanted to say hello and thank you for being a wonderful teacher to me. Taking your course at Buff State (more than ten years ago now) marked a turning point for me. I thank you for your guidance and support during one of the most difficult times of my life. I wouldn't be where I am today without art in my life. Another school year has just begun for me this week, and I just wanted to take a moment to show my appreciation for all you have done and continue to do for art education. Hope you and your family happy and healthy.
With love, Tracy Augustyn
I don't know if you'll remember me, but I took ATS 325 and AED 310 with you a couple years ago. I just wanted to say thank you. Everything that I learned in your classes have been incredibly useful in my life. Not only do I cherish the artwork that I created under your direction, I also use those projects for teaching. I have been creating my own project ideas as well, inspired by your projects and teachings. I am currently the art director at a camp and everything that I have learned in your classes have helped me along the way. Again, thank you so much for being an amazing professor. I hope all is well!
Warm Regards, Elise Caroompas
Thank you for being you, Marcia.
As a teacher I have learned that you just have to adapt to the environment even when you haven't planned to. When Tom Sadowski called you asking you to supervise me, you said 'yes' with no hesitation. Thank you so much for welcoming me with an open heart and mind. You're inspirational words have helped me realize that teaching is my passion.
You're amazing, Marcia. I have come a long way since my first placement and I want you to know that, without you believing in me, I probably wouldn't know where to go next after college. You and Kristi saw something in me that I never saw and you put in a good word for me to be nominated as a substitute in New York City. I can't thank you enough.
This experience has been life changing and I owe it all to you. You are a fabulous person, keep on touching student teachers' hearts, just as you did mine.
Thank you, Holley Young
We are now entering week 4 of the placement, and it totally feels like it.
I have become acclimated to the classroom, as far as knowing the daily routines, knowing the children, and knowing the teachers/ paras I work with. It has really become a pleasure and I'm so grateful for the principal, Ms. Lindy. Though it was rough adjusting to a class of 12 IEPs, something I'm unfamiliar with, I am enjoying it.
I am learning so much already in the way of classroom management, and special education. I feel as if I'm getting a very New York City experience. Now that I am comfortable, I have joined into teaching the morning songs, which include nursery rhymes, and other short age appropriate poems. This is part of the morning message, and introduction to the day.
I also work with kids during writers workshop, guiding them to do their letters in their books, as taught, soon by me! In addition, during math time, and center activities, I am with specific groups, or keeping an eye on certain children. As we've been lucky, from the beginning of school until now, and including this week, there has only been one full week, but wow, I really learned the demands of teaching that week, and see everything behind the scenes. It has been my pleasure getting to know my surroundings and I am enjoying it so much.
I will be teaching the "fundations" lesson this week. This is where the students learn letters. First they go through learning the steps to write the letter (through teacher demonstration) then we allow students to suggest words that start with that letter, and then that leads into writer's workshop where they practice hand writing the letters in their books. I am just a little worried because the children are so fidgety that my classroom management techniques might be viewed as under developed.
But hey, this is what this practice is for!
