A first year teacher's guide to life : this is the stuff your college could not teach you : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

Abstract

When I began to think about my senior project over a year ago, many ideas came to mind. A part of me wanted to do research on something completely unrelated to education. I wanted to break free from my education courses and pursue something different. However, there was always a strong urge to stay true to my passion, which has been and always will be education.I began to think about my own education at Ball State and how prepared I am for the "real world" of teaching...or if I am even prepared at all. This drove me to my idea; creating a website (using my technology concentration) with valuable information and insights from actual professional teachers who are still within their first or second years of teaching. I wanted to reach inside their minds and bring out all of the knowledge they have gained from their field experiences.I received a list of names from my adviser, Bonnie Turner (Elementary Education Instructor), and I sent out nearly thirty surveys to first and second year teachers across the state of Indiana and beyond. Twelve people responded, and the advice, insights, tips, and knowledge they shared with me was priceless.I compiled all of the information onto a contemporary website that would appeal to students my age. I incorporated the use of multi-media (photos and video), and I made sure to include a list of highly recommended books and websites for young teachers. This idea came to me after several teachers recommended the same book over and over again, and I thought, "There must be something going on here..."The finished website turned out better than I ever thought it could. I am very proud of it, and I hope that it is used as a resource for pre-service teachers to help calm their anxieties and give them a bright (and realistic) perspective of the "real world" of teaching.