Patricia Perez's Digital Story

Attached is my digital story you may need ear phones to hear the story clearly!!!!!

Attached is a link to a video that is really funny. This is what happens to a Man when he decides to give the wrong gift to his wife or girlfriend. I almost fell out of my chair laughing cause stuff like this does happen!!!!Men beware!!!!! Use caution the next time you decide to buy a gift!
http://www.break.com/usercontent/2008/11/Beware-of-the-Doghouse-Hilarious-610154.html

Here is my link to my Teacher Website... Hope you find some of the websites useful!!!

http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dfzt72xx_36jsjvdtc5

Class/Teacher Web Pages

Class and Teacher web pages are a great tool. Not only do they help aid students and teachers but they are great for parents as well. Many Teachers use their web pages to link homework assignments, classwork, memos, course requirements, and supply lists. This is great because it reduces waste and conserves our trees. I will definately be using a Teacher/Class Web PAge once I become a teacher.

Mrs. Hattler-Perez's Web Page

Mrs. Hattler-Perez's Web Page

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 Introduction:

 

Hello, my name is Patricia and I am currently attending Miami Dade College.  I already have my AA degree and am currently finishing up the lower level courses needed in order to begin the Bachelors Program in  Education.  I have had some experience in the field of education through volunteering and have greatly enjoyed it.  I have not always liked school but have had many great teachers who have inspired me to become a teacher.  Hopefully I can inspire a student or two.  Now that I am older and wiser, married and have two kids of my own, I now realize the necessity of having an education.  I guess when you are younger you tend to take things for granted especially an education.  I want to finish this step in my life, not only to make my life better, but to make my families life better as well.

 

My Philosophy and Thoughts:

 

 I believe that all children have the right to an education and we as educators need to teach our children that education is the fundamental key to success in life.  All children are willing to learn and succeed, we just have to give them the push.  Our children are our future and if we do not teach them the basics to succeed then we as  educators have failed our children and our future. 

 

Projects/Interest/Technology:

 Education today has changed dramatically.  As educators we have seen the transition of technology in our classrooms today.  Not only has technology made teaching easier, but it has gotten the students more excited about learning, and in participation.  As educators we have to be continually learning about all the new technologies in order to help better assist our kids in learning.  Technology will not be going away so we need to be as prepared as we can with all this new technology around us. I feel it better prepares our kids for the future. One of my favorite technologies has to be the Smartboard.  It makes a boring lesson more interesting and it also gets the students involved in the lesson as well.  It also makes enjoyable lessons even better.  I feel all classrooms should have a Smartboard.

 

Resources and Websites of Interest:

 Below are some websites that I have linked that I feel are very helpful, fun, and educational, not only for kids but for Educators and parents as well.  These websites are very kid friendly and everyone will have using these sites.

http://www.funbrain.com/  Website with interactive features for grades K-8. Features include Math arcades, web books, comics, movies and games.

http://abclearningtime.com/  Website with interactive features mainly for Grades K-1. Features include Learning ABC's, Learning to tell time, and Learning Numbers. The features also include many fun games and activities.

http://pbskids.org/   Website with interactive features for PreK - 1st grade.  Features include color pages, games, videos and music. 

http://www.starfall.com/  Website for PreK -K. Features include games, reading books and printable pages. This website prepares kids for learning their alphabet and reading.

http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=10&e=littlepeople  Website for ages 1-5, includes games and activities along with ideas for age appropriate toys for ages 1-5. 

http://www.noggin.com/printables/  Website for PreK and up. Includes games, videos, printable pages and TV schedule for noggin shows. 

http://kidsplaypark.com/  Website with many activities including games, E-cards and downloads. 

http://school.discoveryeducation.com/  Great website for students and teachers. Site includes puzzlemaker, lesson plan library. This site also has great information for kids on science and it is also great for parents as well. 

http://dotolearn.com/  Great site for kids, parents and teachers. Website includes activities, songs and games, picture cards, print resources and information on special needs and disabilities.

http://readwritethink.org/  Website for students and teachers to aid in practicing of reading and language artse also includes a literacy engagement to help learn language, learn about language and to learn through language.

 http://www.learningplanet.com/  Website is a member website for grades PreK and up. Subjects include, Phonics, Math, ABC's and others. This site also includes daily quizzes, word searches and sudoku.

 http://abcya.com/ Website includes educational and technology. It is a site with many computer activities for Elementary kids. The activities incorporate content areas such as Math and Reading. 

http://edhelper.com/  Website for Teachers and Elementary Students, includes areas in Reading, Writing, Math, PreK-3, Critical Thinking, Language, Science and others.  You can create puzzles and word walls as well.

http://school.familyeducation.com/  Website for parents and Teachers.  Information includes Educational Issues affecting children in all grade levels.  Website includes homework help, skill building tips, printables, quizzes and activity center. 

http://time4learning.com/  Home Education Program that combines learning and educational teaching games.  This website is used for homeschool, after school learning and summer use for PreK-8th Grade. 

 

 

 

 

Emerging Technologies in the Classroom

All of these new technologies that are used today in education have really blown me away. Its amazing to see that we no longer just use book, encyclopedias, and periodicles to learn about the life around us. The technology I like the most has to be the smartboard. Its amazing how something so simple is so difficult to use. It has so many cool features. If I could afford one I would have one in my house just because it is so much fun to use. I would really enjoy being able to learn more about it, because I hope that one day when I have my own class that I am lucky enough to have one in my class. I feel it is a great interactive tool for both teacher and student because it gets them both equally involved in the lesson being taught. It can also capture a students attention when the lesson is really brought to life.

I can't believe I saw history made!

I am so honored and privileged to have seen history being made. I am still in awe that I saw with my own eyes the first black president. I was always taught anything is possible and you can be anything you want to. Its amazing! I hope that Obama can bring about the change that is so desperatly needed in our country today. I hope he can turn his plans about the economy, health insurance, finances, education, and all others into the reality that is needed. Hopefully these next four years will be good ones.

What's in the News!!!!!

I find it completely disgusting how the Dade County Public School Board have mismanaged the money that is supposed to be used for our students and for the teachers who put in their hard work, time and effort. Over 130 million dollars have been overspent where has all of this money gone? Where is the 72 million dollars of that 130 million that was promised for teacher and administrative raises? To me the board members and district associates do not care and keep spending frivously on what? What is there to show for it. Nothing absolutely nothing!!!! Since school has begun I have been asked four different times from my sons school to bring in supplies that the school should be supplying. I do not mind buying regular school supplies like crayons, glue, scissors and stuff like that, but when we are asked to bring in paper towels, kleenex, lysol spray, hand soap, hand sanitizer, paper cups, juices, snacks and stuff like that then that makes me angry. Why are we supplying these things and not the budget that is supposed to be there. How many families cannot afford these things. Especially now that the economy is so bad. It is ridicilous. I think it is a good idea although a little silly to bring in soap to Wednesdays meeting, but I do understand the symbolism though. We need answers as to where this money has gone and we deserve it as well. It is not fair that teachers and educational support personel and parents should foot the bill. Why should we have to clean up somone elses mess, when we were not the ones whop made that mess to begin with. If this issue is not taken care of the only people
we will be hurting are our kids, their future and the dedicated teachers who help make our children succed in life.

Technology in Teaching!!!

I believe computers are of the utmost importance in the teaching of students. There are many adults and children alike who are computer illiterate. Through no fault of their own, but they just don't have the access, the knowledge, or the time. For me, learning all these different applications is not only fun, but it has definately helped me. I could honestly say that about 3 years ago I was completely lost when it came to computers. I knew how to turn a comptuer on and off, email, browse the internet, use word processing, and print documents. Now I would consider myself on an intermediate level with computers. Lately I have noticed my oldest son having a big interest in the computer. Whenever I am on the computer all he wants to do is join in the fun. I think it is important that children learn to use computers at an early age, and that teaching computer skills with a larger lesson involved is important and imparitive. Last week when we had the Monster in My Email lesson I felt really silly doing it, but I realized what the bigger picture was. It wasn't about drawing pictures of monsters. It was a lesson in emailing and it was also a lesson in descriptive writing and following dirrections. Although it was a silly lesson, I really found it fun and interesting.

What is on my mind!!!!!!!

What is on my mind you ask? Alot you could say. It seems that when every time it rains it pours. On January 26, 2007, I lost my job at the law firm I was working at. At first the thought of not working was appealing to me. Sleeping in. Going to sleep late. An excuse to be on a semi-permanent vacation. Reality set in when I came back from my daydream. I had a husband, a 1 1/2 year old son and I was almost 3 months pregnant with our second child, and I had no job. After discussing it with my husband we decided that I would stay home until our second child was born. During the rest of my pregnancy I decided to go to school to obtain my Legal Secretary Degree in hopes that when I returned it would help me find a better job. Times were hard and with only one income things were tight beyond belief. Before we knew it our second child was born, another son. We were greatful cause at least we already had baby clothes from our first son, so that wasn't so bad. But we still had diapers, wipes, and milk to buy. We managed to survive with the help of family and friends. Overtime it seemed like no money was comming in eventhough my husband was still bringing home the same paycheck. We were happy when we we had just $5 so we could rent a movie. The days of going out to dinner, movies or just doing what we wanted were over, not because we had two small children but because there was no money. Anytime a paycheck came in, it was always spent. Eventually I decided to try and get back into the job market but by that time I had already been out or work for almost a year. I put in application after application and sent in resume after resume. No call backs no interviews, nothing. I began to wonder what was wrong. Was I expecting too much, was I overqualified. Still I kept on being persistant. It finally paid off in April of 2008. I finally got a job that didn't REQUIRE me to be bilingual, or so I was told. It was a part time job but hey at least I would be bringing in some money. After only working one day I received a call stating that things were not going to work out because they wanted someone who was bilingual. As you can guess, I was extremely hurt and upset because I was very qualified for the position and I explicitly asked if I needed to be bilingual and I was told that would not be a problem. Obviously Not!!! So since that time I have continued to submit in applications and wait for interviews but nothing. That is why I am back in school, hoping that my degree will get me a job when I graduate. But with the way the economy is going I do not see that happening. I try to keep an open mind and a positive attitude but for some reason it does not end up that way. I end up feeling sorry for myself and feeling depressed because I can't help support my family. I realize that taking care of two children is a hard and laborious job and it doesn't pay well. LOL!!! But I know the rewards are great. I know that I should be enjoying this time I have with my two kids because I won't get this time back. But again a part of me says that contributing financially to our family is just as important as taking care of the precious gifts GOD gave us. I know in due time I will find a job, maybe its like this so I can find the job I love. Maybe this is a test from GOD to see what me and my husband are made of and to see how we deal with it. For now I thank GOD that I have my health, my loving husband, my family, and my two beautiful boys.

Computers!!!!!

Computers....they are everywhere....
I remember when I was in about 4th grade (the early 80's), what computers use to look like. They were big and bulky and the color of the words came out in white while the screen was green. Now a days computers are almost the size of a 1" binder. Thats crazy! Its amazing what computers can do, what you find, and who you can find. Imagine if we still had to type papers on a typewriter? How uncivilized. No matter how much I think I know computers there is always something else for me to learn. This is going to be a great class cause not only do you learn about education and technology but it it also good because what we learn can also be great for a resume. I have learned through experience that the more computer exerience one has the better chance they have at getting a great job. Not only are the programs fun to learn but there are also so many good sites on the web for games, travel, music ect. My 3yr old son just recently discovered the computer and he loves it. Everytime he sees someone on it all he wants to do is play with it. So of course I give in and we begin playing games, watching video clips of his favorite cartoons, and learning his letters, numbers and colors. I guarantee you in a few short years he will be telling me how to use the computer. I enjoy using the computer for emailing, looking up stuff, and finding friends I haven't spoken to in a while. I also use it to keep in touch with my family. I also enjoy sending pictures to friends and family since you don't waste a stamp but I guess on the flip side you waste power. Never a win win situation.

Superindendent!!!

I was waching the MDCPS's board meeting today around 3pm on WLRN. The problems with our funding not only lie with Rudy Crew but also with the board members as well. All are responsible!!! I don't feel that what has happened lately is right. For those teachers who put forth maximum effort, work hard, and sacrifice; they get the short end of stick. Teachers were promised pay raises and what they actually received were pay cuts and no raises. Ironically Rudy Crew still got his raise. What kind of example does this set? I believe that the teachers for this county work much harder than Rudy Crew and deserve their pay raise moire than Mr. Crew. He already makes more than enough money and receives many perks than any average Joe would appreciate. A pay raise is absolutly ridiculous. That money could have been better spent on our schools, children and teachers. We need a superintendent that can lead by example. If teachers aren't able to receive their raises then neither should the superindendent. Money should go first to the schools and children, then to the teachers and then to the superindendent. I was glad to hear from Mrs Perla Taberas that Rudy Crew had given his resignation, he was not fired. I feel that we can find a better candidate to run our schools more effienctly and effectively. The board members need to make a proper decision on who would be the next superindendent. These candidates should be interviewed properly untill the right candidate is found. If an interim needs to be appointed in order to fulfill this space then so be it. I rather these board members take their time in hiring than make a rash decision that all of us are going to not benifit from. This is a matter that affects us but for the most part our children and their futures.

My Interest in Teaching!!!

Hi,
My name is Patricia Perez and I received my AA in Pre Bachelors of Arts in 2002 from Miami Dade College. I took a few years off after that to start working at what I would call dead end jobs. I got married in 2005 to a wonderful man and have two wonderful kids. I am currently trying to finish up my lower level courses in order to gain acceptance into the Bachelors Program for ESE Teaching K-12. I have always wanted to be a teacher ever since I was little. What really set my decision in stone was two things really. The first was a great teacher I had at Miami Dade College; his name was Professor Eliason. I am unsure if he still teaches and the second was the reality of having two kids and wondering how am I going to support these children with a dead end job. After loosing my job early in 2007, I decided it was time to go back to school. I went to FIU to get My Legal Secretary Degree which I obtained in hopes that I would be able to get a good paying job in the Legal Field while I was going to school. No luck!!! I have now been unemployed for longer than I ever have, and it made me realize how important education really is.