Values and Excellence

​I feel that the work I have done during the Innovative Learning program at Touro University fits well within the university’s universal values of commitment to social justice, intellectual pursuit, and service to humanity.  My research and projects on the topic of working with families and communities to improve the early literacy of young students address the all of the specific values to which Touro is dedicated:

• Respect for the inherent value and dignity of each individual
• Intellectual inquiry, discovery, and passion for life-long learning
• Acceptance and appreciation of diversity
• Compassion and service to society
• Student-centered education
• Collaboration and sense of community
• Promotion of interprofessionalism

My capstone project guides educators through the steps for reaching out to families and communities in order to work together for the benefit of our youngest students’ literacy skills. Along the way, this learning outside the classroom will solidify the importance of education and embed this value within the relationships these students have with others.  I believe that each and every one of these values are addressed in my work.

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I am proud of my path in Touro’s program, and the work and discoveries that have resulted along the way. Touro’s instructors have been there every step, encouraging individuality and excellence.  They have each continued to remind us that our commitment to learning and excellence should not stop when we get our degrees. I do intend to share my work with my colleagues, and have already shared my work with my principal. She is extremely supportive and has already expressed interest in finding a way for my work to continue at our site. Since my role is changing from Academic Specialist to classroom teacher this year, I will commit to finding new ways to involve families and community partners from a different perspective--the second grade classroom.  Where my project is concerned, this might be a blessing in disguise. When I am able to modify and expand my work to a new grade level and scale, perhaps even more teachers will be able to make a connection to it.  

I love the idea of tweeting the next steps of my journey along the way!  This year I have learned about the power of Twitter as a way to connect with teachers all over and learn from them.  My challenge will be to find the discipline to take time to stay connected with Twitter in the face of the new challenges I will encounter heading back into the classroom after such a long hiatus.  I would love to hear from any of you reading this about ideas and tips for staying on top of Twitter!

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