Responsibilities and Relationships 

GRADE (Getting Ready for Academic Development in Education) was a professional development workshop that four colleagues and I created in the spring semester of 2010. We wanted our fellow classmates to receive a worthwhile professional development opportunity, so we created contacts with teachers and other professionals in and around Central Michigan University's campus. We included a question and answer session with first year and student teachers and mock interviews with professionals from around the mid-Michigan area who in school hiring committees. Lastly, we included a resume workshop to narrow down what principals and superintendents really want to see on our resumes. This professional development event created an opportunity to "participate with professional educators, school personnel, and other stakeholders in collaborative and cooperative planning, decision-making, and implementation, to improve educational systems at all levels."

Being a part of Kappa Delta Pi (International Honorary Society in Education) was definitely a worthwhile experience. I joined the organization in the fall of 2008, was appointed professional development coordinator in spring of 2009 and was made president for the 2009-2010 school year. Having KDP as a large part of my college career created new priorities in my life. I started attending more community service projects and expanded my knowledge of education through professional development events on campus. I believe leading an organization of over sixty students shows that I will be able to "design learning activities for students that involve volunteer groups, civic and social organizations, and relevant public service agencies" once I have my own classroom. Kappa Delta Pi was a large participant in Relay for Life, Sibs weekend, Make a Difference Day, and the First Book organization. 

SMEA (Student Michigan Education Association) is the student version of MEA. Similar to Kappa Delta Pi, we were given opportunities for social events, community service, professional development and fundraisers. I was active in this organization for the 2009-2010 school year. This organization was different in the fact that a lot of the discussions surrounded unions and how they fit in the educational system. Each meeting included different speakers from around Michigan that presented topics such as our rights as SMEA members, special education, where to find a job out of state, the job market in Michigan, and fresh new ideas on how to implement technology in the classroom. With help from SMEA, I feel like I "understand the structure, function, purpose and value of education and schools in a free, democratic, and pluralistic society." 

GRADE Photos