Role models: How did they impact us?

Role models: How did they impact us?

Today, I was moved when I heard about the new student’s role model. She brought her father and she told us why he is her role model. It is surprising how she never gave up as well as her father, they kept working hard, they never fell, and they got an associates degree at the same time. They supported each other and they helped each other to stay on the line. Staying in school when being pregnant is a really tough situation and I am really surprised on how she continued till the end. When Eleazar told his story about his brother being his role model, I was also moved because his brother is a really good role model because he is full of morality, and he pushes other people to achieve their goals or dreams. This day I felt moved, and somewhat sentimental. :( (Dennis Salinas, July 18, 2008)

I was especially touched during the role model presentations. I wasn’t expecting to be emotionally involved listening to other people’s stories, but it still happened. When I hear about people’s stories that I don’t really know, I’m not very attached to the stories, so I don’t get very emotionally involved. Yet today, even though I don’t know the other students in the class very well, it was nice to hear the troubles some of them have gone through or how a single person in people’s lives can really make the biggest difference. It reminds me that as teachers, we can especially be that one person the students see as their role models and we may be the only people to motivate students to learn and live the dream they would like.

After the class, I called my brother to let him know that I used him as a role model. He gave me a reaction that I wasn’t expecting. I was expecting him to brush it off and maybe even, in brotherly love, not take me seriously or not care very much. He actually told me that it was nice to hear that I saw him in that way and that he was glad to hear the news. He said that he thought he was a bad brother (jokingly) because we wouldn’t let me play video games or he would take away toys that I was playing with. I told him that I didn’t even remember that, but that I did remember the influence he left on me.

I guess that everyone is different, but still it can be the little things we say as teachers that will get the students going. (A.L.)

Today, we had a role model activity. We were required to either bring in our role model to class or if they were unable to join us, we could bring in their picture. I thought this was very interesting because we got to hear how much different people inspire us in our lives.Many of my classmate’s stories were very emotional.

I tried to keep my stories about my grandpa minimum because I too would have starting crying too. My grandpa played a huge part in my life. He always kept me going when I felt I couldn’t continue. I really miss him and I wish he was here so that he can see how close I am to graduating. He was the first person to come into my mind when I went to pick up my two associates degrees.

When Nidia and Diamontina became so emotional because of how much they were inspired by their mothers. It hurt me because I have always wanted this type of relationship with my mom. I especially love Michelle’s story because she has such a wonderful relationship with her mother. Her mom doesn’t just keep her role as a mother, but she also is Michelle’s best friend. I could completely relater to Margarita because like her I don’t have a very good relationship with my mother. I was able to relate with Yolanda’s relationship with her husband because my boyfriend is a lot like her husband. They both motivate and want to see us succeed in life. I truly enjoyed learning about how different people in our lives can positively impact our lives. (Annabel Esparza)

Today was a powerful class day, we got to share with the rest of the class who our role model was/is. It was very emotional and magical at the same time to see how one open heart opened the next one.

We sat in a circle and my classmates passed out pictures of their role models. This is when I realize how the Name Game had worked wonders. If we wouldn’t have played that game I believe the outcome of today’s class would have been completely different.

The Name Game has made us feel at ease with each other and that was way it was so easy for all of us to open up about our most personal feelings.

Thank You Dr. Boyanton and thank you class for making feel as family.

We also learn the importance of self-efficacy and self-esteem. If we have self-efficacy and high- self-esteem we are more likely to be self-motivated and therefore more likely to accomplish our dreams. It is very important for an individual to have a positive Role Model, because it would help us find the way to become the person we really want to be.

Last but not least, I want to thank you Dr. Boyanton for the Appreciation Party, I had never experience anything like that. It was overwhelming to see how others pay attention to the little thing that makes us who we are.
Thank You. (Yolanda Bodden)

When we were asked to bring a role model to class, I wasn’t sure who to bring. It was between my mom and dad, but now that I am mother I appreciate her more and know what she went through as a mother raising kids. I didn’t ask her to come to class because she was taking care of my kids, which is another way she encourages me. She tells me that she will take care of them during the summer while I am at school, which is why I took advantage of her and am taking 3 courses. But so far so good, and I am already half way there. But after class, I did come home and told her how much I appreciate her and how I think of her as a role model. She looked at me and smiled and said, “Thank you, now I know that all of these years that I have raised you have paid off.” I love my mom. (Michelle Shogreen)

I really enjoyed the class lesson today. I thought that the discussion that we had on our role model was really interesting. I learned a lot of information and I especially enjoyed when Rosario’s role model was there to visit. I think that was great of Mrs. Matias to join us and I think that it shows how much dedication she has for her job. I was able to learn a lot from what she talked about. She gave us a lot of good tips that will help us in the future to be great teachers just as she is. You can tell that she is great teacher because of the examples that she gave about how she deals with discipline and praise. I also hope to one day be the person that makes the difference in the life of a child, just as Mrs. Matias explained about the letter that she received. Overall, I enjoyed the class very much and feel that I learned a lot.--Kristy, March 5, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

Today was a very inspiring class. I learned a lot today, much like I always do in this class, about my peers' role models. My role models are my mom and my sister, who actually is like my second mom. They have always supported me and guided me in the right direction. They have taught me that nothing is impossible for me. I can accomplish anything because I possess the intelligence to do so. They have pushed me to excel in everything I do. I succeed because they believe in me and they have always supported and encouraged me. Most importantly they give me love and they have instilled treasured family values and morals. They have showed me what a real family should be like. I will always be grateful for the late nights they helped me with my homework and aided me in my studies.

I would have stopped studying earlier in the night if I did not have them by my side pushing me past my limit so I can accomplish what I desire.—Shirley, Mar 6, 2006, EDCI 4322-01

I also liked Rosario's role model. She is a teacher at Paredes Elementary. She was running a bit late. She demonstrated her commitment by showing up to class today. She was running late because she took her husband to the clinic after being in a minor accident. Most people would have canceled to be at their spouse's side. But not this lady, she was determined to keep her word and honor us with her presence. I learned many valuable lessons from her in the short period of time she spoke to us. I learned how to better manage the classroom and that consistency is the key to a disciplined classroom. I agree with her that is better to acknowledge good behavior through positive reinforcement that to try to correct it with negative reinforcement. She is very inspirational. I loved the way she spoke about her classroom and her love for her students. —Shirley, Mar 6, 2006, EDCI 4322-01

I really am inspired with Rosario's role model and Dr. Boyanton's positive attitude. Their views on the classroom coincide. I really like how they are enthusiastic about teaching. They really motivate me to be a better student. I know that I want to possess the same positive qualities they exemplify when I become a teacher. I learned today that what you really need to be a successful teacher is to have a passion for teaching and to follow through with your heart. —Shirley, Mar 6, 2006, EDCI 4322-01

Today's class seemed to fly by. I liked how everyone shared with the class about their role model. It was good because you got to know your peers that much more. I enjoyed hearing the teacher speak. She was very inspiring and had a lot of good things to say about her job. She really does enjoy what she does and seems to me that she does it very well. She had good advice about things that we had already learned about in class, so to hear her say it made me realize that what I am learning today will be very useful when I become a teacher. She mentioned that you have to use positive reinforcement and she also explained how she uses the token system to reward her students when they do something good. She said when you use discipline you have to been consistent and fair. All these things were techniques that we learned in the first part of the semester. I look forward to the second part of the course.—Mike, Mar 6, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

The formal teacher Mrs. Matias gave a lot of recommendations, suggestions as well as sharing her experience in order to motivate us as future teachers. The inspiration to make a difference in someone’s life is a great motivation for becoming not just a teacher but a great successful role model for the FUTURE OF TOMORROW!—Jacky, Mar 6, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

We had a role model in the class; I feel I was lucky to be there. My classmate’s role model was a teacher so we benefited a lot from her comments and advices. I learned how all we talked before in class is the way you can have a successful environment in the classroom. When the teacher was telling us about her class management and her type of reinforcements I was amazed how exactly the same techniques we learned in class were. I really appreciate the opportunity to hear the teacher because is not the same to learn the methods as hearing a real example that she uses and it works. I learned that we as teacher have to be prepared to handle any situation; we have to sacrifice some of our personal time to offer the best for our students. Creativity, being constant, organization, caring and loving your students are one of the best advices to be a successful teacher. This class was a different experience and I think all we learn something new from each other.—Nanyka, Mar 6, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

The one I really enjoyed was Rosario's, role model Mrs. Matias, who has been a teacher for many years. She gave us so much insight and valuable information that will help us prepare us to become teachers that wants to make an impact or a difference in the students lives. Mrs. Matias uses a lot of positive reinforcement instead of negative. She also told us about discipline she said what I say I do be consistent, carry out what you say you’re going to do. Preparation is very important it is good class management.—Sandy, Mar 6, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

My favorite topic on yesterday's class was role models. I learned about everybody's role model and the impact that person has had on my peers. They have impacted them in many ways. Some have been impacted tremendously, while others were not impacted as much. None the less, that made a change in their lives in one way or another. It is very uplifting to hear these stories because I witness the love shared among my peers and their family and friends. I also get to know them a little better. I get to see them as people and not only as students in my class.—Helen, March 6, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

I think today’s class was very emotional for a lot of people because they got to speak about their role model. I think it’s nice and self motivating when you have a person you admire and inspire you to become a better person. I really enjoyed everyone’s presentation some of them made me cry, but then again I’m a cry baby… I really enjoyed hearing what Mrs. Matias had to say. Her advice was very good. I truly believe it’s very hard to handle work and a personal life at the same time. I think many times one out weight the other. I hope I will learn to manage my life better when I become a teacher because right now its chaos. I have too many things on my plate that I’m trying to juggle at the same time.—Tyra, March 6, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

I had a great time in class today. I didn’t want to leave. I really enjoyed hearing my classmates talking about their role models. I was touched as I listened to Jessica and Valerie talking about their father. The way they expressed themselves about their dad was remarkable. It is obvious both of them have such profound respect, love and admiration for their father. Their stories made me miss my dad who past away ten years ago. He was an extraordinary person as well.—Rose, March 6, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

One thing I learned from yesterday’s class was about the presenter. One of our
Classmates, Rosario, brought her role model. I think it was cool to see and have her as a presenter, and her name is Ms. Rodriguez. I learned something when she gave us some advice to teach from the heart and never give up. She shared with us from her information about her background experience related to teaching in the classroom. I realized and saw why Rosario had chosen her as role model because she was an amazing woman as a teacher. I can see that Rosario and her role model both have a good connection to each other as co-workers and friends. It was a good opportunity for our students to take advantage of listening to the presenter’s advice. The presenter seemed so nice and like an outstanding teacher.-- Anabel Martinez, Mar 7, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

I really enjoyed this past class, for many reasons. It was wonderful hearing a great guest teacher speak to us about her overall experiences in the classroom. She has been a teacher for many years and is weathered in the topic of education. I gained a lot of helpful insight about the teaching profession. Students got to ask her questions that they had about teaching and I could literally see their eyes light up when she gave them such smart responses. As for myself, I asked her about some inhibitions that I have about becoming a teacher.

I feel that the advice that she gave me was invaluable. She told me that the students that I will have will be very in tune with me. They will know that I truly care for them by my actions and not so much my words. I did some reflective thinking of that later on that day and thought of ways to perhaps make that happen in the future. I really thank Rosario for taking the time (to go that extra mile) to share her teacher with us. This has opened up my eyes on a new way to look at teaching, and what having a good teacher really means to the students. You are the person that they see most of the day- the one that they count on for a good portion of things. I want to be accountable and accessible to my students and so I really took heed to the advice given. In addition, the guest teacher spoke about how we should handle the student’s parents and that we should get them involved and call them. She encouraged us to always handle things very diplomatically, and see our own classroom experience as a learning one.-- Maricela Gonzalez, Mar 7, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

You see I am very lucky because I got a chance to be there at a time when a great program was being built. Little did I know that the training that I was receiving from my mother in law would inspire me to become a better teacher. I observed all the problems parents had dealing with their children and on top of that having to deal with bitter old teachers who only thought that these children were being spoiled brats. I want to inform future teachers about how hard and frustrating it is to have a child with a learning disorder. How it can be genetic or how it can be from a birth gone wrong. I want to inspire future teachers to get involved with this type of child and by just taking a little extra step, they can have a better time teaching. I think if they can get a sense of why she was my role model then they could maybe be involved somehow in getting to the root of a child’s problem.—Sailor Moon, Mar 7, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

I really enjoyed our guest speaker. The Dean of education was really down to earth. Who would have thought that, somebody at his status would be so cool? I liked what he said about not settling with a bachelor’s degree. I have attended college off and on for a while now and I always thought that once I got my bachelor’s, I would be done. Recently, I have been thinking about getting my master’s degree. Why stop now? My major is going to be in Kinesiology. I want to get a Master’s in Psychology. I want to know if that would be a good move for me? Well it was nice to hear what the Dean had to say and you were right he has a great sense of humor. After that many years of teaching I want to be able to still wake up in the morning excited to come to work.—Grace, March 17, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

I really liked the class today. It was neat to hear about the different ways people learn from their role models and what the Dean of Education had to say to us was very interesting. One thing that I found particularly interesting about Social Cognition theory is how we can apply it to education… Class today was an eye-opener for me. I have been under a lot of stress lately, and hearing the Dean talk about perspective and being grateful and happy for what you have really helped. I realize that my problems are not as bad as they could be, and we can do the same for our students when we are all teachers. —Eldon Clark, March 18, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

The class was great yesterday. I had never seen the dean of education. i see that he is a normal person just like us. Yesterday really inspired me a lot. To keep on going and never give up. I learned a lot from him he is kind of like me in way that he never gave up. I am trying my best in my classes i am going full time and I work full time. I am also a full time dad because of his speech yesterday I know now it can be hard but you just have to keep on going to make it easy in the end. Sometimes it just get too hard but I cannot stop i have to keep on going. The dean showed me that it is possible hopefully I can meet with him later for my own little interview with him.—Ice, March 18, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

… we had a visitor in class, the Dean of Education himself; Dr. Brogdon. His “lecture” on teaching, his philosophy, life, and our education was far more riveting than I thought it would be. Dr. Boyanton pegged him right when she said he was a good man with many good qualities, one of which is a good sense of humor. Still, she introduced him as her role model and I can see why; the man makes you feel as though you matter and that’s something I strive to achieve. I’ve touched at it every so often but I think I’m a far ways off from mastering this personality skill. Dr. Brogdon was indeed very insightful, giving us insight as to what drives need to be fostered in us as well as that we need to constantly motivate ourselves and keep ourselves interested in our work. If we don’t work at it, we could end up in a rut.—Joshua Price, March 17, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

I believe that I can be a good role model by teaching my future student to be fair, just, honest, respectful, and to view life in a positive way. How do I teach these things? Well I need to practice them in class because if you tell the students to act a certain way when you as the teacher don’t even do it, they will not listen to you nor view you as a role model. As a future teacher I need to enter my class with a positive attitude and with a good vibe. The students need to feel comfortable and relaxed. Rules, guideline and expectations need to be set. A good example so far is Professor’s Dengting class. I enjoy being in class because I feel comfortable commenting my opinions and ideas without feeling intimidated. On my behalf I will also represent an honest hard worker, and achiever. I will show my qualities in hope of students learning what I represent, in order for them to apply it in their lives. Students are energetic and full of potential and are eager to learn. I will expand my teaching method and learn new techniques to give students a better learning experience. I am a passionate teacher who enjoys teaching. (Kassi)

I feel that I am missing something in me. Since today we talked about role models, I started thinking that I don’t have any body that I look back to. The reason I was the first one to skip is because I don’t feel comfortable to say that I don’t have a role model. I don’t have a personal role model to indentify myself to. I don’t know if this is strange, but I see myself as my own role model. I see myself as the perfect person that I want to be. A great person with a great job, a honest and confident person. Someone that people can rely and trust. I want to be that person and not back down on myself. Sometimes I feel sad, when I think who are my role models. When I was a little girl I used to think that my dad was the awesome person in the whole world. But I feel sad that I cannot think the same way today. After class I felt very sad to know that I really don’t have a role model. But even though the only person I had on my mind the whole time was my dad. I love my dad and everything but I don’t think of him as my role model, because he is a special man and has given my brothers and me a hard time to acknowledge the way he wants things to be done. I disagree with him a lot, I don’t like the way he raise my older brothers and all the negative stuff that I see on him. But I guess this is a two faced deal. Although, my dad is such a negative person, for him I am here now, living in a warm roof and having all those nice things I enjoy now. I just wished my dad would understand me and be more like a dad. (Sandi)