Continuing my education and becoming more confident in teaching science is one action I am taking to ensure that all students at experiencing high quality science instruction.  Becoming more confident in teaching science allows me to be a leader in my school.  I have more ideas, resources, and content knowledge that I can share with other professionals.  Making changes in my classroom and then sharing can lead to changes in the school, then district as other teachers share.

In the past, them biggest challenge is teachers that are hesitant to try something new.   Learning a new strategy or technology requires more effort that continuing with what they have already been doing.  When I am working with teachers that are not wanting to learn a new strategy or are frustrated they have to do something else I try to model being open minded.  In addition, I try to surround myself more with people who have the same goal, being an effective teacher. 

When I return to the classroom, I hope to include inquiry lessons that allow students to be hands on and do science.  I am sure that I will have challenges with time, testing, and resources.  Taking one challenge at a time will be my way of dealing with such obstacles. 

Our Sptnik

Realizing our “own interdependence” and start looking for ways to improve the United States needs to be more of a focus (Friedman, 2010).  The United States seems to have gotten very depend on other countries as well as mixed up in other countries issues instead of working to keep the United States running productively as well as make improvements.    I agree that the United States may needs something to motivate people more on the possibilities. 

I think that there are some things being done to improve the United States, but there is much more to achieve.  At a national level, there needs to be collaboration among states on standards and supporting more inquiry learning.  For example, student could benefit from national projects more that let students compete as well as us problem solving skills.  At a state level, creating standards that align with STEM education is one way to help guild schools and teachers in the right direction.  In addition, supporting projects that allow students to collaborate with students across the state to build collaboration skills, competitiveness, and a motivation to improve would be ways to help students use their skills in real life examples.  Providing students with projects that allow them to problem solve real life examples begin to let students see possibilies. 

At a local level, it seems to me that supporting the teachers in STEM training as well as 21^st century skills would help students prepare to make a difference in the United States.  If teachers do not have the training they cannot help students learn the STEM subjects s and the skills that go along with STEM and 21^st century skills.

I agree that the United States needs a Sputnik to help us get more focused on what we are capable of.