Welcome
Hello, My name is Seemin Maredia and I am a senior at University of Houston. I am Majoring in Early Childhood Education and hope to teach Kindergarten through second grade students after graduating with a teaching and learning degree. I currently live in Sugar Land, Tx and am student teaching in FBISD.
Hey Seemin! I actually live right next to Sienna Crossing Elementary, it's crazy how close the school was to being directly affected by tornados or flooding but it got really lucky. Just on the other side of sienna parkway, at Scanlan Oaks Elementary they had to deal with everything. To my understanding, you guys go back to school on next Tuesday. I hope the first day back goes well, you have a lot of different experiences coming to you considering the context in which the students are a part of now. It's going to be a good test for you as well, to learn how to better deal with natural disasters and how it effects teaching within the classroom. According to Glen Elder's research on the family stress model there is a connection in economic stress to a child's socioemotional well-being among families of all cultural backgrounds (Gershoff, Mistry & Crosby 2014). So in consideration of that statement you will have a eventful student teaching experience working with these kids this school year, but ultimately I hope you enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteGershoff, E. T., Mistry, R. S., & Crosby, D. A. (2014). Societal Contexts of Child Development: Pathways of Influence and Implications for Practice and Policy. New York: Oxford University Press.
Hey Carla,
DeleteI didn't know you lived right next to Sienna Crossing Elementary. It was really bad near the golfball area by the school but luckly nothing was harmed at the school. Since you live near there I hope everything was good for you and your family. However, I would say this was quite a natural disaster related experience for me. Because throughout the years I have never been off from school for this long and most of the families were not effected as bad. But when I went back to school on Tuesday it was quite a sad thing to hear about from parents and students how they had been effected during Harvey. But I would say everyone is progressing and now returning back to their homes safely. And you are also right the natural disaster had made us adjust our lesson plans a little where it took a while during our planning meeting to plan everything right throughout the upcoming school days that are left. However, no matter what happens everyday is a different experience to have since theres always something new happening and sometimes you have to adjust to things that go along with the students as well. Hope you have a good experience at your school as well!
Hey Seemin. I hope our senior year is great and something to remember. I think it is awesome that you were able to overcome the challenges of learning not only one language but two. Learning multiple languages is a common barrier that many children in our nation face. For those that have the great family support you do makes it that much easier for success. Great blog.
ReplyDeleteGershoff, E. T., Mistry, R. S., & Crosby, D. A. (2014). Societal Contexts of Child Development: Pathways of Influence and Implications for Practice and Policy. New York: Oxford University Press.
Hey Jessica,
DeleteThank you for watching my video. However, senior year is quite an experience for me. Because having to go through five classes and student teaching for four days is quite a struggle at times for me since classes are only Mondays, so throughout the week is catchup with homework. I would like to say thank you because I always thought not speaking english as the first language wasn't the best thing. I wasn't the bright student in class, since it would always taking me longer than other students to comprehend certain things better. However, I would say throughout the years I had overcame my fear and started acknowledging the fact I am a second language speaker and loved it as well. Without the help of my family I don't think I would've made it this far. I hope your senior year and student teaching experience is going good as well!
Hi Seemin,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed listening and watching your video! You made some excellent points about dealing with distress and ways to overcome with learning and how to respond. I find it extremely admirable you knowing two different languages and being able to apply them in your student teaching. The way you are able to connect with them is wonderful; many students speak or are having to learn to speak two languages so by you knowing this you are automatically ahead. By knowing a second language it shows how self- disciplined you are in the language which is quite impressive. The fact you took the time out to really learn the language and continue practicing the language is admirable!
Gershoff, E. T., Mistry, R. S. & Crosby, D. A. (2014). Societal Contexts of Child Development: Pathways of Influence and Implications for Practice and Policy. New York: Oxford University Press
Hey Jolie,
DeleteThank you for watching my video and thank you for the kind words really means a lot. I would say you are right about students having an extra talent on them by knowing additional languages. Because no matter how many smart a student is if you speak another language you can always be creative in some way whether it may be with art, sports, or anything. Most of the time its actually interesting hearing different stories and lifestyles about others since their personality is so different. However, for me you are right it wasn't easy to learn english but with the help from family I overcame the biggest struggle of my life. I hope you are also doing well with your student teaching year and have many memorable moments that you can cherish as well.
Aww thanks Seemin! Yes I am having a wonderful year thus far despite everything that has gone on with this hurricane, things are slowly coming together and back to normal. I have a very diverse bunch this year which is extremely exciting especially because it is helping me learn more and work on my language skills as well. Practicing my spanish skills as well as teaching and preparing me how to work with other students who don't speak languages I'm familiar with. Thank you for the best wishes and I hope you have an awesome year as well.
DeleteI am happy your parents have supported you in your decision to become an educator, it is always nice to feel like you are making your parents proud. I enjoyed your video because you taught me about Gujarati, I had never heard of this language before! I had heard about Hindi but not Gujarati. I agree 100% with your teaching philosophy, I want to introduce my students to cultures from different countries as well. I am glad that I watched your video, thank you for sharing your story Seemin!
ReplyDeleteHey Maisa,
DeleteThank you for taking the time and watching my video. I will be honest it is not very easy to complete the biggest goal of your education life without having support. With the support from your family and friends or spouse you will always overcome any challenge that is bringing brought to you. Because at the end of the day it is always another feeling seeing them with a spark on their face makes you feel accomplished as well. So the language Gujrati is mostly spoken in the minority parts of Mumbai because it was originated from another country in India called Gujrat. But the primary language in Mumbai is Hindi. But having to learn two different languages is quite a change and was interesting at the end as well. However, I agree with you as well because the more cultures the students learn about the more knowledge they will become with out community since it very diverse as well. I hope you achieve the goals you have made for your future classroom with your teaching philosophy. And don't worry you will be successful cause hard work pays off!
Hi Seemin, your video was great! Hindi is such a beautiful language and I hope to learn some of it some day! I love how your parents took you to the library to help you read and learn English. A lot of parents do not take out the time to do that. Thank you for your video!
ReplyDelete