Grad Admissions Paper

Well, I have decided to apply for Grad School at Georgetown College here in Kentucky.  Hopefully, in the fall I will get to begin my journey of college, again. (I think this will be my 3rd time going back after a break, it took me 12 years just to get my 2 B.A. degress; single working mom, priorities people).  But I am excited, I am ready to challenge myself a little bit, in conceptual thinking, in conversations, etc.  Plus, to have my Masters!  What an accomplishment!  

Here is my paper that I submitted for my application process.  There were 4 questions that we had to answer, hopefully I answered them and didn’t just ramble on....

..........................................................................................................................................................

This letter of Intent to Apply is for the Teacher Leader Program for Gifted and Talented at Georgetown College. This letter has been submitted electronically and is the original work of the sender.

Dear Ms. Andrea Peach and the Graduate Admissions Committee,

!
Remember the teacher in high school who didn’t make you feel like a robot, like just another worksheet, just another test. They actually acted like a real person, they would tell jokes, they would laugh, they would get flustered. More than that though, they could laugh with you and have a real conversation one minute, then have a conversation with you and teach you something about your classwork and you didn’t notice a shift, a change in their presence. They were real, your relationship was real and their passion for the classwork was real. You appreciated the fact that you had a real person as a teacher who didn’t throw a powerpoint up, hand out a worksheet as you hopelessly tried to stay awake. You appreciated the fact that they cared, not only about their assignment, but about you. You were engaged, you present, you were learning.

I didn’t notice I had become that teacher until my later years at college. I would get together with my study group and review for an exam, all of us piled together in the basement of the library. We would bring any and all notes that we had collected over the weeks and then go over everything together. Most of my notes had my signature abbreviated writing plus drawings and descriptions. I actually enjoyed those study sessions more than anything because I could describe and explain something through drawings and a conversation more than anyone’s notes. I loved the act of teaching more than the actual material we were covering and it dawned on me.... I finally realized how I could turn what I loved into a profession. I was a teacher.

Fastforward ump-teen (cough cough) years later and I am presently a 3rd year Art and Humanities Instructor for Fayette County Public Schools. I have been teaching at The Learning Center (TLC) where I am also the Museum Director. As Museum Director, I collaborate with teachers and students regarding products, projects and Museum Exhibits that present an andragogical approach to learning.

This past fall, we collaborated with the Northside YMCA regarding their Fall Festival. They wanted something that could not only be scary for Halloween but also provide an educational experience for their visitors. I directed and led a school-wide event where all disciplines had a connection and an activity within the program. The YMCA was more than thrilled and we have been invited back to support the educational enhancements for the YMCA summer program.

I was the Testing Supervisor for the ACT Spring 2013. This included implementing the TCA software program for our students, supporting testing strategies within all classrooms, training staff and coordinating the testing event.

I also collaborated on our EcoArt Grant that we have received two years in a row for our Metal Sculpture Outdoor Learning Center area which we are creating with the support of local artist, Erika Strecker, and the University of Kentucky.

I am also the Teacher Leader in a district-wide initiative called Tom’s Squad. Two students and myself meet with Dr. Shelton and other school groups to discuss, implement and manage student-led programs for support and change within our schools.

!
I am interested in becoming a Teacher Leader to develop my professional skills to enhance and support my own teaching, students’ learning and parent/teacher relationships as well as enhance and support learning for my school and colleagues. I have always been interested in the Gifted and Talented aspect of instruction and would like to be that Leader in our school that supports the Gifted and Talented students, program and implementation in the classroom.

My recent professional development goals and activities have been the collaboration with the YMCA regarding a revised summer camp curriculum. I have recently applied for a Bluegrass Writing Camp with another TLC teacher with the goals of implementing a challenging writing program within the classrooms. My Professional Growth Plan states my interest, goals, action and outcomes regarding identifying, tracking, supporting and challenging the Gifted and Talented students in our school. I have also been connecting with teachers from other schools to develop collaboration and products for Museum Exhibits.

Ashley Baker