April 20, 2033
Dear former me,
It seems like only yesterday, I was at UP. It was the spring term, 2023.
So much has happened since then …
You had the most amazing and crazy first year out of college. Getting married, starting active duty, and getting deployed gave you a whole new perspective on life. The first year after UP gave you a lot of challenges but you were UP for them. You never forgot the resilience and determination that you had developed in your former days. You accepted challenges and let them mold you into the man that you are today.
The next few years were full of adventure. A new life in the Springs left all paths to be ventured. Skiing, biking, and golfing throughout, there was never a dull day. The day without kids in marriage were full of fun and spontaneity. Being a junior officer was keeping your life full, but enjoyable. There was never a day were you didn't have to work hard, but it was worth it. Developing your subordinates, educating them, and leaving a lasting impact on those you met in Army was all so worth it.
The last five years is where all the fun really happened. I wish I could tell you where you lived or how many kids you have or if you're still in the Army or a classroom, but those are joys that only you get to know. Whatever the answer to those questions are know that you never stopped enjoying the little moments in life and tried to leave a lasting impact on all that you interacted with.
The past ten years have been more unpredictable than I could ever imagine, but I know you have enjoyed it. Here is to you and all that you've done.
Congrats, I wonder what your Space Jam was.
Hi! My name is Nicole Pagtakhan, but I also go by Ms. P or Ms. Nicole in the classroom.
From my years of experience on the internet, digging through someone’s portfolio of works can be hard, especially when there’s one type of post you want to look at. I’ve learned many different skills throughout this semester, and I’ve learned about which tools might work best for me as I enter the classroom as a new teacher.
Here’s a quick introduction to me entering the 2nd semester of my senior year, it’s a quick get-to-know-me while experimenting with WordPress for the first time.
I’ve previously taught SEL lessons, but I’ve mainly written them out in Google Slides with the notes section as the “teacher instructions” and the slides being what I present to students. I think having a separate website makes the lesson feel more accessible to both students and teachers, especially if a student is absent and I want them to have something to work on. This is a step-up from my first post about using WordPress for more advanced websites.
AI is a slippery slope in many fields. In education, it can be a tool to generate ideas for students and teachers, but when people copy it word-for-word and take credit for it, it’s creating more avenues for people to not show their creative efforts. It’s overall great for inspiration, but in order to be creative, we must connect to our humanness and our individual ideas. Using AI is super fun, I would highly recommend playing around with it to test the capabilities.
Inspired by my own fieldtrips, this post was about how to use Google Maps in a lesson. I used it to map out different locations for students to walk to in Portland, OR. such as the different bridges and landmarks like Big Pink. Other uses could be for mapping out distance and measuring it without having to leave the school, which would be perfect for a math lesson.
Sway was a mixture of a book and a slideshow, and I felt that it would be a great way to make a “get-to-know-you” book with pretty pictures. Sway has a learning curve, and I felt that it was a little difficult but once you understand how things work, it’s a great way to present information.
I like that you can create books that others can see, and there’s many tools to make different types of great classroom books. I think this one is easier to use than Sway, and even though reading a book online isn’t the same as reading a physical book, you can embed more things into it like audios, YouTube videos, and photos to make the reading more interactive. This is a great tool that I hope to use in my future classes.
Google Forms are very commonly used these days, though this was my first time making one. Google Forms and Ziplet are great ways to give casual formal assessments without making it seem as scary as some other tests, and you can include photos, emojis, scales, and text boxes for students to report information on. Of the two listed, I’d like to use them fairly interchangeably.
I’ve used Google Sites before, but it has never been in this depth before. I thoroughly enjoyed designing the website because it’s much easier. In high school, I took a coding class and always commended people who could code their own websites, but because this is so easy and so personable, it’s a great resource for teachers. As I mentioned before, I think this would be a great place to post lesson plans or newsletters for parents so that they could have access to the materials even if they’re away for a trip or absent due to sickness.
This lesson was about introducing Canva, which is a great tool to making infographics and slideshows. Not only is it aesthetically pretty, but it is a great way for students to get creative with their work, and to show mastery of different skills and knowledge that they’ve learned in class. I use Canva for so many things even now, and I think it’s a great tool that everyone should get the chance to play around with.
A final post to celebrate my three years with UP. It’s nice to start the term and end the term with a little about myself so that I can look back at how I’ve changed and where I’ve started. Personal growth is something we can all work on and that is always changing.
…And that’s all of my posts! I hope that this gives you a nice overview of all the progress I’ve made, reflections, and inspiration for your future as it has mine!
April 19, 2033
Dear former me,
It seems like only yesterday, I was at UP. It was the spring term, 2023.
So much has happened since then …
You did an amazing job with PACE out in Fairbanks. You were provided a difficult challenge in an area you were completely unfamiliar with and you tackled it with grace. You were able to keep those fifth graders in check, and in the end, it was a valuable learning experience not only for them, but for you as well.
You learned about the challenges of teaching with no team, you learned about moving to an area with little support in the ways that you were accustomed to. You learned how people live so far north without sunlight for months on end, in a land where everything is an import and the prices can get quite high for items you took for granted prior.
You returned to Oregon, and applied to work in the brand-new elementary school opening the very year you graduated with your masters in the WLWV District. You got in.
Your commute is much closer, your students are lovely, and your prior connections in the community/district have proven fruitful in the years following.
You started your homework club like you wanted, and have been helping those who lack the support at home, or need extra one-on-one help in their studies and assignments. Sometimes it's a thankless job, and it doesn't always meet the results you wish for students, but any help is good help.
Lastly, you are happy. You have been worrying for the last 16 years, and you have finally reached a point in your career where you can rest and be happy.
Congratulations.
Where tourists congregate at markets to see fish being tossed, A needle stands in the middle, towering over the city, Bursting at the seams with beautiful blooms in spring, Overflowing with rain year round, Beautiful sights around every corner, And delicious food at every turn, Where folks can hang on the Hill and be themselves, Or get lost in the art and culture, Seattle is the best place in the world.
I chose to use sway because of the easy to use interface. It was really easy to add slides, select a design I liked, and format it in a way that makes sense to me. In addition, I enjoyed how Sway is automatically connected to Microsoft, which makes it highly accessible.
Ziplet is an online resource that helps teachers build meaningful and trusting relationships with their students. It creates a space for students to share their thoughts, personal perspectives, and understanding of the learning content in an efficient and anonymous manner with the teacher. Ziplet allows teachers to collect student data that informs them of the success of a lesson and the emotional, mental, and physical well-being of their students; also, it provides opportunities for teachers to create community engagement in their classrooms by posing fun, open-ended questions for students to answer.
Teachers can implement Ziplet in their classroom in a variety of ways and at different times of the school day, making Ziplet a teacher and student friendly technology. The goal of using Ziplet is to strengthen teacher-student relationships through the use of lesson understanding checks, open-ended questions that require individulized responses, and opportunities for emotional/mental check-ins through private communication between teacher and student.
It’s so crazy to think back at the time spent at UP and studying to become a teacher. It’s so crazy that 10 years ago you graduated from college.
While I don’t want to spoil too much of what lies ahead for you I am happy to report that you are loving teaching! You will get to spend time in different classrooms, starting with a year in third grade, two years in fifth grade, and now have found the best spot teaching fourth grade! All the doubts that you have had about teaching have drifted away, as you have found the best school and colleagues and are loving teaching your fourth graders. All though somedays may be difficult, the reward of seeing your students progress is so worthwhile!
You also got to enjoy some travel after college! Finally being able to freely travel around the summer after college was one of the best experiences- just like you always thought Greece was the most amazing place ever!
Just remember to trust in yourself and those around you- everything will work out in the end.
It has been ten years since the Spring of 2023 at UP. Looking at you now, I’m sure you can’t wait to graduate. I’m here to tell you about all that has happened since then.
First of all, when you graduated you did in fact get a puppy. His name is Scout and he is a golden retriever. He loves playing fetch (all the time) and going for lots of walks. He will be 8 this summer but still acts like he is a puppy.
You are now teaching your 8th class of students. Many days are hard, but you love your job and your students. You started off teaching first grade but now you are teaching second grade and have learned that second graders are MUCH more independent than first graders.
Currently you are teaching in Vancouver School District and while you originally didn’t think that you would stay there forever, you just might. You also are earning your masters online in health and physical education. While you love being a second grade teacher, you may eventually want a change of pace.
Life is very busy (Just the way you like it). Teaching and going to school is a lot already but you also have a three year old and a one year old running around. You thought being an athlete in college was hard, well this is much harder! Life is good though and you are never ever bored.
It really seems like these past 10 years have flown by! Around this time you were drowning in work counting down the days until you graduated. You had never felt so relieved before when you walked across that stage. Of course you miss the people you met, but you had a blast in grad school! It was only 7 quarters, but you met some of the most amazing compassionate people in your program and while volunteering in the community doing what you love. We did complete the Child Life Internship and got your certification. You’re now at your dream job at Seattle Children’s Hospital working with children of all ages. This time 10 years ago you were really upset you had to leave your Kindergarteners. They were such a joy, they even set up their own workforce! Who knows, maybe you will go back to Portland and work for them in the future.
In the meantime, you’ve traveled outside of the country for the first time. Germany, Austria, The Netherlands, and Greece! Vietnam, Indonesia, New Zealand, and the Caribbean are on your bucket list. You are now married to your best friend and life could not get any better. Mom and Dad are enjoying retirement going on trips in their RV and you’ve become closer with your cousins. Despite losing several loved ones, you’ve stayed strong. C is for Cookie still keeps you going. Remember how much you listened to it in your last semester of college? You have so much love and support from your family. Life may seem hard now, but you have so much to look forward to, keep your head up!
April 25, 2033: A Letter to My Former Self 10 Years from Today
Diarra,
Hi girl! How is college life treating us? This year, 2033, marks exactly 10 years in the future from when we were a junior at the University of Portland. As you can imagine, a lot of things have changed since then. Many of which we may not have anticipated.
After college, we stayed in Portland for two years for UP's PACE program. We were offered a few jobs after graduation - because we are absolutely awesome :) - but decided to move back to California to be closer to mom and the doggies. And if that doesn't surprise you enough, guess what school we have been working at since graduation??? St. Bridget of Sweden!
Now...I know what you're thinking. What?! Why?! How?! WHY?! Trust me, I know it sounds crazy, sometimes I have to pause and reflect on it myself. But when we were looking for open Kindergarten teaching positions at Catholic schools in the area, SBS showed up and we decided to apply just for the fun of it, fully not expecting to be invited for an interview AND being offered the position AND accepting the offer!
As you are probably imagining, working at our elementary/middle school provides an experience like no other. Yes, it was hard for us to get used to the many changes implemented since we attended, but our coworkers and administration are incredibly helpful, kind, and open to collaboration. We never fear sharing our thoughts and are always included at faculty meetings - even as a first-year teacher.
I know that this all may seem very shocking and unexpected, but I ecourage you to keep and open mind and an open heart to loving a new version of the school that was so important in shaping our philosophies on teaching.
Our future self excited for our former self reading this letter!
I hope this letter helped calm some of your anxiety for the future rather than creating more. But I promise that there is great success and happiness for us in the future. Believe me, I've been there!
Good luck with your finals! Also, I hope you appreciated my use of all Sesame Street gifs; I thought they were so cute!! Have fun with the next 10 years of your life.
Love,
Yourself <3
This will be the third or fourth lesson in a 4th grade unit addressing climate change and possible solutions. Students will research a way they can help the environment and add three facts they found, an image, and a text animation to a class Google Slides presentation. This way everyone can see the information their classmates found and different ways they can use Google Slides. The instructional goal of this unit is for students to identify one way we can help protect our environment and share it with the rest of the class. Students will meet this goal by using Google Slides and the different tools that can be used on it. This technology supports the instructional goal by providing the students a means through which they can organize and clearly present their work, and easily view their peers’ work as well.
This is the first lesson in a unit on greetings and common conversational phrases for a junior high Spanish I class. Students will read the following text, which was made on Book Creator, as an introduction to the target phrases for this lesson. After reading as a class, students will be divided into groups and assigned a number of phrases to translate using the pictures from the book as clues. On a Google Slides presentation (see the link below), students will create a picture dictionary for their phrases. Students will put their translations of the Spanish as well as images for each translation on their slides. Students will present their slides to the class and explain why they chose those translations. At the end of class, the actual translations will be revealed using the same text (see the second Book Creator link).
The purpose of using Book Creator for the anchor text was the audio feature. This book has recordings of the correct pronunciations for each phrase. This way, students can hear what the Spanish sounds like. In addition to Book Creator, we decided to use Google Slides to foster collaboration. With each lesson in this unit, more slides can be added to grow the class picture dictionary! Throughout the unit, students will be working together to make a great classroom resource.
Wow, can you believe how far we have come? I am happy to report that we are teaching 1st grade at our elementary school, our dream job. We also got married and have a little one on the way! We moved around a little across Washington, a little of Montana, and Oregon, but only for a little. We finally have been abroad! We went to Japan for our college graduation and soon after went to Edinburgh, Scotland and Italy. We still have Germany, Amsterdam, London, and many more have been added to our bucket list for traveling.
Isn’t that so great? We used to worry so much about things not working out in the end…but here we are. I guess we should have taken everyone’s advice that everything would work out in the end.
You set us up for great success, so thank you so much for all your hard work, everything was well worth it. Yay!
