KLEIN's
GUIDE TO
SCIENCE EDUCATION
PHOTO CREDIT: Nadene Klein at Tuolumne Meadows Yosemite National Park
Summer is billed to be "time off" for teachers. A pure vacation. But, those of us who are teachers use only a few days to restore ourselves. Even if we travel, we explore to find what we can bring back to the classroom. We reflect to determine what we can improve for the upcoming school year.
We also may use this time away from our classrooms to further our own education as we are required to have credits/professional development hours in order to renew our licenses and perhaps for our evaluations. Summer is jammed packed with conferences, institutes, workshops, and other opportunities for educators. We catch up on our reading and renew our commitment to professional organizations. Here's what I've been up to...I have attended an online institute sponsored by CDE (Colorado Dept. of Ed) and NSTA (National Science Teaching Assoc). I attended the online quarterly meeting of CAST (Colorado Association of Science Teachers). I submitted proposals to present at two conferences coming up in the next year. I have read several periodicals that had been put on the back burner. I have hiked a 14er and explored a part of Colorado where I had not been before. This led me to revamping my Outdoor Ed Trip which will be going out in August. Perhaps the greatest thing that I want to share with you is that I earned my 7th endorsement on my teaching license. While this has been in the works for months, CDE finished their review of my application awarding me my English Language Arts grades 7-12 endorsement. Many ask why I would seek that endorsement when I have no intention of teaching English. Simple...I already teach English. I also teach Math, critical thinking, ESL, SEL, and Social Studies. WHAT? I am a high school science teacher. Science is the place where all other content areas merge together. While students may be identified gifted or special ed in English and Math or require other special services in English or Math, the Science teacher must also follow the accommodations and modifications of their learning plans. Note: Science is never included in these plans. We are expected to teach content literacy skills and math application with our science curriculum to all of our students. I know my science and pedagogy. To better serve my students, I pushed myself to become proficient at teaching these other subjects. Everything connects. Now, I'm researching my options for the next steps in my own professional progression. Perhaps another degree is in my future or taking more of a leadership role in a professional organization or spending more time developing my consulting services. Stay tuned...
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AuthorNadene Klein, M.Ed. has been an educator for over 25 years. She brings a passion and love for science to the classroom and through this blog to you. Archives
March 2024
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