Before entering the Master of Arts in Education program at Michigan State University, I had faced countless rejections from many schools. With my degree not in education nor a teaching license, I felt that the experience I had acquired teaching day in and out of classrooms was enough. However, as I learned, the knowledge needed to be

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In order to become a licensed educator, one must possess a degree in education. With this title of legitimacy, I would be able to research more into the confines of ESL, collaborating alongside some of the top researchers in this field in order to forge new beginnings for this often overlooked field in the United States.
 

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With gained expertise in the development of students’ needs in education, I wanted to develop a systematic classroom approach to teaching Chinese students. However, I find this expanding to ESL students in general as I continue on in my studies. Learning how to properly conduct my own research or cooperating with others will lead to solving the issues that plague local, state, or national institutions and create preventive measures to ensure all students are afforded equal and fair opportunities when it comes to language acquisition in the educational setting.

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Subsequently completing my master’s degree, I would have the proficiency and confidence of an educator who is ready to lead their classroom, school, and community. By becoming involved with those like minded mentors, together we could collaborate to embolden the next generation of students.

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Current Goals

 

Upon entering the Master of Arts in Education program, I felt I suffered from Imposter Syndrome. An alternative student pursuing a dream that many others in the program had already long accomplished. This fallacy I had held on to soon faded away as I began to work and talk with others who treated me as an equal, welcoming and valuing my knowledge and opinions. Surrounded by this positivity, I flourished. I worked tirelessly, giving my best effort in applying the knowledge I learned in my courses to the classroom. While my original goals have not changed as they are still being completed, I have added a new goal to my list. In my second to last semester, I took two courses, one with Dr. Laura Tortorelli and one with PhD student, Brooke Harris-Thomas. Both have given me the confidence to continue my studies and pursue a doctorate in education. As this is a new beginning for my career, the next goal is to apply to a doctoral program in order to reach the pinnacle of my studies. Being accepted into a doctoral program will help to make the changes I want to see a reality.