Introduction 
I am currently a student at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and scheduled to graduate at the end of April 2003 with a bachelors degree and certification in Elementary education. Upon graduation I will be certified to teach all subject in grades K-6 and mathematics and languages arts through 8th grade. Being a teacher has been a life long dream. I am truly lucky to have the opportunity to transform my dream into a reality.
I made a decision four years ago to change careers. I had worked in
the employee communication and training field for 20 years. My first exposure
to education was through my work the United Auto Workers (UAW), General
Motors and the Ford Motor Company. For the last ten years I collaborated
on numerous Joint Programs offered by UAW-GM and UAW Ford. These programs
were offered to union represented employees and include topics such as retirement
planning, health and safety, and education planning. My last endeavor embraced
technology and distance learning. Through UAW-Ford University, a joint venture
with the University of Michigan-Dearborn and the UAW-Ford National Education,
Development and Training Program, the connection between technology and
education was evident.
Learning Environment:
My student teaching took place at Roosevelt Elementary in the West Bloomfield School District during the winter 2003 semester. West Bloomfield Schools includes the city of Keego Harbor, where Roosevelt Elementary is located. Roosevelt Elementary services Head Start, preschool, and kindergarten through fifth grades. It is a Title One school with current enrollments of approximately 400 students and participates in School of Choice.
Students can access and share information via the five computers in each classroom that are connected to a Local and Wide Area Network. These student computers have at least one printer for student use. Each classroom also has television monitors with VCR components. The Wide Area Video network enables broadcast form within and throughout the districts. Roosevelt has a Mobilan cart of laptop computers that allows wireless connection to the school server
Additionally, the school’s media center houses a full computer lab, which includes 25 computers for student use. In the Media center students scanners and digital cameras are also available for student use.