My MEL Experiences

• Student/Teacher Relationship: Almost everyone of my teachers has made a lasting impact on my learning and succeeding. I usually feel connected to my teachers which allows me to talk to them, and to feel comfortable inside and outside the classroom setting. I like being able to be close to my teachers so they can know me personally and what I am like. Having a connection with my teacher helps me to feel confident in learning the material as well as the class itself.
• Helping Students Succeed: In order for a teacher to help me best succeed, I need to feel as if I am being pushed. I need a challenge and I need to work hard for the A. My AP English teacher was rough, an assignment due everyday, projects, and classwork galore. I felt that I worked harder in that class then three of my other classes put together. But my final grade in the class was a B+. I felt like I deserved that grade and I had worked so hard for it. It made me feel like anything that I put my mind to, I can accomplish. I loved being challenged and pushed.
• Hands On: I am a very verbal and social person. Therefore whenever I was asked to do group work or hands on activities, I was in my element. I felt that I could be part of a group and be more relaxed and let someone take the lead. But I also felt that I could step up to take charge if I needed too. I love doing funny activities where I know I will be out of my comfort zone. If a teacher can make me do something where I have butterflies in my stomach, then I know I will thank him/her for it later when I have a new found confidence in my abilities.
• Learning Styles: My learning style tends to change depending on my mood. Some days it is extremely frustrating to be a part of a class that has to deal with students who learn slower than me. When the teacher is taking time for them I feel as if my needs and wants as a learner are not being met because I am slowed down. It's awesome that the teacher can help everyone but sometimes I feel that if those students instead of being catered to, were pushed a little harder they might find something inside themselves they never knew they had. They just may develop better learning skills and increase their abilities. The idea of using all the multiple intelligences is interesting to me. I find it to work for all people, letting each learner experience the classroom in so many new and fun ways. I hope that future classes utilize the learning methods that can help all students at once, not just one specific group. I guess that is where the problem lies in how to help all students (who have so many different needs) at once.
• Interest: I always enjoy a class where the teacher can encorporate my interests into the lessons. I think it makes the environment of the whole classroom seem more amicable and fun. But I also think that interests are not the only things that should be considered. I love classes where the teacher can encorporate life experiences, the news, media, and the surrounding culture into the classroom. Everyday is a chance for the teacher to tie in a new interest with the lesson. So why not take advantage of that and try several of them? There is no harm in trying, only in not trying at all.
• Autonomy: Any class where the students can feel like they are in charge or they have power is fine by me! I feel that it is sometimes the job of the teacher to let the students think they are in control of everything even when they are not. The teacher should always have control of the classroom. However allowing the students to take control of their education and their learning can help them to learn better and maybe even increase their chances of understanding all the material. I like choices, even if it is the smallest thing such as what color to use on the white board. It makes me feel as if every decision and word I make is important to my teacher.
• Avoid Rewards: I actually feel wierd about this because I like and I hate rewards in the classroom. If I have done something really well or recieved a really good grade on a test I would love to have a reward. If the class has met some goal or done really well with a task, why not have a reward? But I also feel that if the teacher is dependent on these rewards then the students lose focus of the ultimate goal and aim for just the reward. I believe in rewards in the classroom but I believe they should start small and end small. Recieving a sticker on my test when I get a grade above an 85 makes me feel proud. But these rewards should not be done in front of everyone, they are for one on one, such as handing back papers and saying, "keep them to yourself". If one person is rewarded and others are not, it can cause some to feel inferior and stupid. I believe that rewards, small ones, should be put into the class only when the atmosphere in the class and the relationship between the teacher and students is a strong one.
• Connections: One of my favorite experiences within the classroom is when the material in one class relates to another class I am taking or have taken before. It makes me excited and I feel as if, wow, I really have learned something. It enhances my interest in the class and makes the material seem as if, I know I can do this class.
• Context