Reflection TED 633

Through this course, I have realized that PE is not going to be the same type of class that I took when I was in junior high and high school.  I need to be looking for opportunities to make class engaging, use technology in the classroom, and look for ways to assess students.

My view of PE teachers has always been that they probably do a warm up, then students go play some sort of sport without much training.

Now, I have the idea that I need to assess students for their abilities, then look for opportunities to help students to improve when needed.   I need to find the time to make sure this happens in my PE class.

I also need to be aware that with technology use as it is today, there are opportunities to incorporate technology into the classroom that I need to be aware of.  I will need to reconsider what could be used in the classroom every year so that my students are not missing out on useful technology that could be used to keep them healthy.

Lastly, I have realized that by using technology and shared ideas online, I have come up with an abundance of engaging activities. I need to be looking at these resources to help make activities that are "a little bit fun" into activities that are hugely motivation through games, competition, and keeping things new and fresh instead of doing the same thing every day.

Learning Style

My learning styles are Sensing, Visual, Sequencial, and Formal Authority.

My sensing side means that I like learning facts, solving problems by well-established methods and dislike complications and surprises. Sensors are more likely than intuitors to resent being tested on material that has not been explicitly covered in class. Sensors tend to be patient with details and good at memorizing facts and doing hands-on (laboratory) work. Sensors tend to be more practical and careful. Sensors don't like courses that have no apparent connection to the real world. This makes me teach in a way that benefits sensing individuals. I see that I often do not give enough opportunities for students to be innovative in the classroom.

My visual side means that I like to do a lot of pictures, writing, and demonstrations, but I think I need to work on giving students opportunities to talk more for the auditory learners.

My sequencial side is good for the subject of science. For my students that are more global, the suggestion was made to have students skim the chapter before beginning to give students a chance to start with the big picture and then fill in the pieces.

Lastly I was listed as a formal authority teacher. I found a site that said this about the subject "Teachers who have a formal authority teaching style tend to focus on content. This style is generally teacher-centered, where the teacher feels responsible for providing and controlling the flow of the content and the student is expected to receive the content."

One type of statement made by an instructor with this teaching style is "I am the flashlight for my students; I illuminate the content and materials so that my students can see the importance of the material and appreciate the discipline."

Teachers with this teaching style are not as concerned with building relationships with their students nor is it as important that their students form relationships with other students. This type of teacher doesn't usually require much student participation in class. "Sage on the stage" model."

This is VERY much the style that I have. It makes me realize two things. 1. I need to look for opportunities to let students have more control over their learning if possible. 2. I need to look for opportunities to build relationships with students when possible.

Personality Type

My personality type can be viewed at this site: http://mmdi.me/m/swqm/Pam+Hester/


My closest personality type is ESTP:

If your closest personality type is ESTP then you are an action oriented problem solver. You enjoy getting things done, and taking action to solve practical problems. You are in your element when there is a crisis requiring urgent action, which you are able to resolve. If you have any particular skills (e.g. sports, crafts or sales) then you enjoy applying those skills to reach a tangible goal (winning a game, making a sale, or building something tangible).


My second personality type is ESFP:

If your closest personality type is ESFP then you are an action-oriented people person. You seek to live life to the full, and enjoy applying your people-skills (and other practical skills) to achieve a tangible benefit for people. You have a strong sense of immediacy or urgency - realizing what needs to be done now - and are probably often urging your colleagues to stop talking and get on with doing something.


These personality types work well with my current teaching career. As a teacher I often need to solve problems quickly and I enjoy applying my skills to the goal of helping students to learn and become successful people. As a teacher, I also need to be action-oriented. I enjoy applying my people-skills to help my students. I am always looking for ways to DO what needs to be done WHEN it needs to be done. I often am urging my students to stop talking and get on with doing something.

I think that my personality plays a role in how I interact with my students.  I expect students to work quickly to get a lot done in a class period.  I also make an effort to solve any problems that come up and help students as best I can.  I always have a sense of urgency that things need to get accomplished.  I push students to constantly get a lot done every class period.  My students often tell me my class goes by quickly.  This is probably because we are so busy during the entire period.  Because I am always trying to get a lot done and working to help students the best I can, I do think that I end up lacking a bit in my personal relationships with my students.  I often feel that time spent getting to know students personally takes away from class time when work should be accomplished.  This is a hard balance for me to figure out, however, I do feel like I know students a bit better this year than last year.

Why I Chose Teaching

My name is Pam Hester and I currently teach physical science to 8th graders in Anaheim, CA at Ball Junior High.  I live in Anaheim with my husband and seven year old son.

For the first eight years after graduating from college I worked as an academic adviser.  In this position, I helped students to go through their bachelors degree beginning with orientation to the college.  I helped students to choose classes throughout their time in college.  I also worked with students who ended up on academic probation and helped to verify graduation requirements for students who were finishing their bachelor's degree.

After working for eight years as an adviser, I became bored and began to feel like my job was no longer challenging.  I began talking to academic advisers at the community college level who were also teachers and began to realize that teaching was a possibility if I worked hard and took the required classes.

When I began teaching I realized that students had a lot of issues that I could help with.  I also realized that I like helping students learn new information, particularly science.