To whom it may concern:
Each individual will have a different combination of motivation, academic strength, and learning style. I like to cultivate interest in a subject through relevant events, link the subject of study to information related to an academic strength/interest at school, and help in the understanding/discovery of how one learns (whether it's flash cards, images, stories, discussions, or getting a handle on planning/organization). I prefer to work with the existing materials that the students use, school texts and workbooks, as making do with what is already present can be a lesson unto intself. I do like to utilize an Encarta, 2007, computer program that is on my laptop that I would bring with me as a supplement. My areas of academic focus are related to my story below.
I have always been curious about systems (psychological, biological, electrical, and mechanical). However, I have a passion to learn as much as possible that kept me from funneling enough focus to hone my knowledge on any single system. This is why I decided to shoot for an A.A. in Liberal Arts when I was a power-generator technician for the U.S. Army Reserves.
My interest had shifted to the foundations of each of those systems when I studied for my B.A. at UCLA. The evolution of thoughts and perceptions that lead to such diverse systems of knowledge kept me in the realm of Philosophy. This background added History and critical thinking skills, but piqued my interest into the systems of thinking/applcation of thoughts and motivations of individuals.
I have come full circle with my M.S. in Educational Psychology and Counseling. I studied motivations for learning, how some children learn through their academic strengths, and how children are impacted by the world around them. In short, this is a professional degree to assist students in the areas of academics, careers, and personal/social issues. My public speaking skills also came with the experience of teaching basic mechanic trade skills when I was in the military, poetry readings at a local coffee bar, leading group counseling sessions, and providing in-class career presentations to students at middle/high schools.
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