Comprehensive University Endowment Trust Fund

Benefits | Faculty | Contact us

Donna Hawkins

Ashland Oil College of Education Endowed Professorship

TEACHING EFFECTIVENESS

I have successfully completed four semesters of teaching at Murray State University. My goal continues to be to empower our future teachers. I feel that it is my duty to impart to my students the wisdom and knowledge that I have gained through thirty one years of teaching.

My goal is to instill in future teachers an appreciation for the important role teaching plays in the success of today’s society. There is no greater profession.

In the fall of 2008, I taught two sections of the course entitled: REA 306, Teaching Reading in Elementary P – 5. The textbook for this course was the 2006 edition of Literacy for the 21st Century, A Balanced Approach by Gail E. Tompkins. This text was very user-friendly. It included a vignette at the beginning of each chapter that modeled best pedagogical practices.

Students were actively involved in the discussions and utilization of best practices. They were also required to exhibit mastery of the course material through application projects and daily activities.

They were able to reflect on their personal experiences with literacy development. They developed brochures, newsletters and powerpoint presentations that could be used in their future classrooms. Students were introduced to professional journals and useful websites.

Assessments were developed in a variety of ways to meet the diverse needs of the students. Adjustments and accommodations were made for identified students. They were assisted with Services for Students with Learning Disabilities (SSLD).

In the fall of 2008, I also taught one section of the course entitled: EDU 303 Strategies of Teaching. The textbook for this course was the 2005 edition of Effective Instructional Strategies From Theory to Practice by Kenneth D. Moore.

This class focused on the following topics: Setting the Stage for Successful Learning, Sequencing and Organizing Instruction, Monitoring and Evaluating Student Learning, Designing Instruction to Maximize Student Learning and Leading the Dynamic Classroom.

Students studied documents from the U.S. Department of Education and the Kentucky Department of Education. Then, they were actively involved in developing a Standards-Based Unit of Study.

Students were introduced to the KTIP-TPA Lesson Plan Design. They were able to develop several lesson plans from their Unit using this design.

Students were given extensive technology training. Students presented an introduction of themselves and their Standards-Based Unit of Study to the class using Kidspiration.

Students studied Randy Sprick’s CHAMPs, A Proactive and Positive Approach to Classroom Management. The information included in Module 3: “Expectations” was incorporated into the lesson plans.

Each student participated in two micro teaching experiences using two different lesson plans from their Unit. Technology was incorporated into each lesson. Each student posted their third lesson plan in their working portfolio in Livetext.

My students made exceptional progress. However, they were often overwhelmed by the requirements of this class.

My fourth semester at Murray State was a great learning experience. I have used the student ratings of the IAS forms to improve the quality of my questions and to improve my explanations of course requirements. I will continue to reflect upon and refine each lesson.

Curriculum Vitae

Site Directory