REAL: Educate by Integrating Theory and Practice
(LMU Conceptual Framework, 2009)
MRS. DAVID'S THOUGHTS ON CATHOLIC EDUCATION
I am a big supporter of Catholic Education. I am a graduate of the Catholic School system from elementary, through high school, into undergraduate, and now graduate studies. Within each part of my journey through the Catholic School system, I have valued several things:
Be a person of service. (Elementary - St. Brendan School)
Be a person who makes a difference. (High School - Notre Dame Academy)
Be a person who possesses and practices the values of care, academic excellence,
diversity, faith, justice, and leadership. (Undergraduate - Seattle University)
Be a person who applies learning to work - theory & practice.
(Graduate - Loyola Marymount University)
Be a person of service. (Elementary - St. Brendan School)
Be a person who makes a difference. (High School - Notre Dame Academy)
Be a person who possesses and practices the values of care, academic excellence,
diversity, faith, justice, and leadership. (Undergraduate - Seattle University)
Be a person who applies learning to work - theory & practice.
(Graduate - Loyola Marymount University)
As an educator, the theories of John Dewey, Lev Vygotsky, and Howard Gardner drive my instruction. Dewey believed that hands-on experiences were essential for students. They were able to gain knowledge by having direct experiences and connections with their learning. Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory discussed the importance of social interaction to promote collaborative learning. Gardner’s Theory on Multiple Intelligences addressed the different manners in which students acquire knowledge, based on their learning styles and individual needs. Each of these theorists has had an impact on my classroom instruction and the way in which I explore my curriculum. I have learned that to educate also means to consider needs of my students and the best practices that would benefit them. I believe these theories benefit a student academically and also influence the social development of students as well.
I believe my educational career in Catholic schools (as a student and now employee) has also influenced my thoughts on educating the whole person. I know that I not only have the awesome responsibility of imparting information to students; I also have a duty to help form them into ethical, well-rounded, people of good character. At my current work site, St. Mary School, St. John Bosco is honored as one of our patron saints. St. John Bosco was an advocate for education. He believed, “Education is a matter of heart” and that students benefited from education based on reason, religion, and loving kindness. Education exceeds textbook lessons and lectures; educators have the responsibility to teach students about life and how to deal with personal experiences. The Student Learning Expectations (SLE’s) at St. Mary's is a good summary of what it means to educate in my classroom. I have the task of educating students to be spiritually responsive, academically prepared, well-rounded, globally aware, effective communicators, and hopefully, motivated life-long learners.
CREATIVITY AND GROWTH
Students enjoy assignments and projects that offer hands-on opportunities to apply their learning. The Reading curriculum is one area to release their creativity. To build up reading comprehension skills, reading projects reinforce key skills through a creative outlet. In this assignment, students examined key events within a story and described the key events in detail. Completing such projects builds their understanding of important skills that must be developed and practiced.
APPLY THE LEARNING
Field trips are always a hit with students. They take what they have learned in the classroom and experience it in the outside world. This year, we visited the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana. The students were able to apply their scientific knowledge and have opportunities to truly integrate theory and practice in the areas of force, motion, energy, and the solar system.
FREEDOM HEROES PROJECTS & PRESENTATIONS
In Social Studies, students were assigned a Freedom Hero to research. Then they composed a paragraph about this Freedom Hero, created a poster with information and photos of the person, and presented their information to the class. Click through the pictures below to view other Freedom Hero posters.