the NEAG ESSAY

thats right, this is the essay I have to write in order to get in to the program.
If anyone has any suggestions, comments, or feedback.(I guess all of which are feedback. oh well)
PLEASE COMMENT! I know you are all scholarly readers so take a peek. I am always  open to ways of refining my writing style.

Integrated Bachelor's/Master's Program IB/M Essay Prompt - For Fall 2010 Admission Read the CNN article at http://edition.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/07/22/bia.education.success/ Incorporate your thoughts on the article as you respond in writing to the following prompt: Think about yourself now and about where you would like to be three years from now as a graduate of the IB/M program in the Neag School of Education. What experiences in your life have already equipped you with skills, attitudes, and/or beliefs that will help you work with culturally and linguistically diverse students? What more would you like to learn—and/or how else would you want to develop—in order to be successful in working with culturally and linguistically diverse students? Your response should be in electronic format using MS Word or a comparable word processing application. You will be required to upload your response during the electronic application process.

As a hopeful graduate of the IB/M program in the Neag School of Education, I would like to pursue a position as a high school or middle school music teacher with an emphasis on instrumental instruction. Throughout the course of three years it is my goal to have begun developing a music program that is integrated in the community as well as within each department of my school.  Such a goal will present opportunities to work with students of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The article presents the idea that success in education can be augmented through holding students to high expectations. As Breonna Arnum, a senior of Capitol Prep interviewed for the article voiced,  "It makes a difference because everybody has the same goals as you. So it's not like anyone is there to pull you back. Everyone is going forward”(CNN). There are two experiences I have had over the past few years that have developed certain of my skills, attitudes, and beliefs. These experiences have helped open the door for me to learn more about serving students of diverse backgrounds.

            Often times it seems that our society is geared towards immediate gratification. Students, adults, and teachers, want results as soon as possible. I too fall to this mentality, yet my experience working as a construction and worship music leader with a church missions team in Fairmont West Virginia gave me a new perspective. West Virginia is the second poorest state in the nation, that being said our task of rebuilding one house out of the thousands that needed repair seemed trivial. However, that was not our goal. Our goal, our belief, is about showing real love to others. We received more than what we gave, the residents provided us with hospitality out of their own poverty. I have returned to the same neighborhood for seven years because I believe in the big picture.  Principle Perry’s Capitol Prep School seeks to impact the community through molding role models, a goal that is based on big picture perspectives. Skills such as patience, self-sacrifice, and perseverance are ever sharpened through interacting with people outside your own culture zone.

            A second experience that helped me develop as a student and a future teacher was teaching a master class at the Trinity Christian School in Windsor Connecticut. The school was putting on a jazz day as the culmination of their Adventures In Learning Program. This event is important to me because it marks my first teaching experience in an urban setting. I can remember how nervous I felt on the drive up, how could I possibly relate to any of the students? Would I say the right thing? All of these troubles were based on false expectations. They were based both on the unrealistic notion that I had to be perfect and stereotyping those whom I was about to teach. However, once the jazz band had set up and we started talking about the history of jazz and our instruments, all my fears and expectations disappeared. I will never forget the fascination in each student’s eyes, the excitement in each of their questions. Music breaks barriers and it constructs bridges. The article talks about giving all students the chance to learn equally(CNN). Music can be that opportunity. For example, I knew nothing about any of the kids present; their backgrounds or families, and they knew nothing about me. But when the band started playing some standards the entire class just started dancing. The whole event was eye opening; it was this moment when I knew that I was going to be a teacher. This experience gave me a new outlook on how music and teaching function together. It showed me the importance of being able to adapt ones plans and expectations to real situations effectively.

            After looking back at these two experiences and how they have shaped me as an individual and a future educator, there are several goals that I believe the IB/M Program at the Neag School of Education can help me accomplish. The first is being able to have more opportunities with working with culturally and linguistically diverse students. Through this program I hope to learn how to effectively use my skill set to help mold role models for other students. I want to learn how to practically build a music program that stems from the belief that music breaks barriers and builds bridges, as well as strengthen other departments in my school. I know that by attending the IB/M Program at the Neag School of Education one of the most valuable things I can learn is not necessarily achieving the big picture, but rather handing out the paintbrushes.