Hello all, my name is David Georgia. I am married and have three boys ages 5, 3, and 3 months. I teach a severely handicapped (SH) class in the Capistrano Unified School District. This will be my third year in this classroom. I spent the previous two years in a SDC classroom, prior to that I taught four years of RSP and one year of SH in the Orange Unified School Districts Along with teaching I have also coached baseball at at both schools. I attended elementary school in Garden Grove at Evan's Elementary. From there my family moved to Hemet where I attended Hemet Junior High and Hemet High School. After attending Riverside Community College and Mount San Jacinto Community College, I transferred to Point Loma Nazarene University. After graduation I received my level I special education credential from National University.
I am currently a PC user. I am however interested in transitioning over to a Mac. I do use basic technology daily with e-mails and finding resources on the web I can use for my students, such as Edhelper.com. I have started to use the computer in class to present information to my students. I use my laptop and a LCD projector to help facilitate group writing assignments (my penmanship is pretty poor). I enjoy using the computer because it does make things easier and the students think what we are doing is more important if they see it on the computer.
In the College of Ed. mission statement the phrase that stands out to me is the "commitment to student centered education". Being a special education teacher this is at the heart of what I believe in and what I do. I am a strong believer in allowing the students to process and use the information they learn in their own way. It is more important to me that a student can use what they have learned outside the context of the class than to be able to regurgitate memorized facts that they find meaningless.
Hi David!
ReplyDeleteI completly agree with you when you say that the children take things more seriously when you use the computer, and I think that it is an important reason why we all take this class and also one that shows how technology has developed.
I have already commended Jamie for working with disabled children and I am going to commend you as well. I worked with a disabled child for 2 summers and I felt so rewarded when he responded and progressed with his school and built more social skills, and I think that it is important that they are not forgotten when it comes to education, they are children aswell and they have the right to an education.
I also find it funny that a lot of us are thinking about turning over to using the Mac instead of PC. I wonder how many of us will have a Mac by winter break?!?
Louise :)
Hey David! I think it is so awesome of you to teach in a SH classroom. My mom works in an SDC classroom at a middle school. Her students are great she loves her job! I see you also went to Point Loma! That campus is so beautiful. I was recruited by their softball coach and actually almost ended up there instead of San Marcos. Did you like Point Loma??
ReplyDeleteThe phrase that stood out to me in the Mission Statement was also the part about student centered education! :)
Hello David,
ReplyDeleteI think that it is so inspirational that you teach special education and you are a male teacher. The educational system could benefit from more men in this profession. Your quote about children was my favorite, how they each interpret education in their own way. It is important for the educational system to realize that. I hate the concept of memorization and state testing, I feel that it takes all of the creativity and individualism out of curriculum. Great post :)
I think you are absolutely right about it being important that students are able to use what they have learned instead of simply regurgitating memorized facts. Students are able to learn more and retain the information longer if they are able to use it. It sounds like you are a great teacher!
ReplyDeleteHello, David.
ReplyDeleteI agree that teaching should be student-centered and that a good teacher empowers all students to use and develop their unique gifts and skills. Several schools where I've been substitute teaching recently have made a big shift to make Special Ed programs much more inclusive in general classroom settings, rather than separating students. This seems to benefit all students. It's an exciting time to be a special education teacher. It's great that you will be able to use technology to benefit your students.
Love your picture from tonight's class!
Kathleen
Hey David! I'm pretty sure everyone's commented on how you are an SH teacher. I commend you for that also! I think it's really great :) I'm pretty sure it feels rewarding knowing that you've made a big difference in someone's life! As far as technology goes, I think after these first 2 class meetings, everyone wants to be a MAC user from now on, as do I. I always find myself walking straight to the MAC section every time I enter Best Buy now! haha.
ReplyDelete