What visions and goals do you have for your career as a teacher, Technologist, Curriculum Designer?
I have many goals as a teacher. I don't know if I can put them chronologically. But maybe that is okay because I think as an educator we have to be fluid in our approach and our understanding of what our students need. One goal I have is to make sure students learn from our past by using a lense of what is going on currently. History is a cyclical subject, thus making the age-old adage of "if we don't learn from our past we are doomed to repeat it" very true. I believe learning more about education technology, and how technology can impact how we teach, is important because it offers me the best lense for how to best help my students in a future classroom. That is one of my biggest goals... to be able to constantly offer my students the best ways for them to learn and grow, not only in the history classroom but as citizens and individuals that can go out and make a difference in the world.
Introduce yourself to the class (provide some background information).
Well as you know I'm Josh. I grew up in Temple City, California and then went on to Azusa Pacific University where I graduated with a BA in Journalism. While at APU I met my wife, Chelsea, and we've been married a little over a year now. After college, we moved up to Spokane, Washington where I went on to work for the Spokesman-Review newspaper and then the local NBC affiliate running their sports website and contributing to the joint prep-sports website. Chelsea completed her MFA in Creative Writing at Eastern Washington University. While in Spokane I figured out that, while I love sports and loved covering teams and writing about them, I was much more interested in being a coach, a fan, and started to look into the idea of teaching (had we stayed I would've tried to get my credential at Gonzaga University). We moved back down a few years ago and after working a few odd jobs (construction, cook at a dive bar, freelancing) I took the CBEST, started coaching and subbing at Buena Park High School and began looking into credential/Master's programs. Now I am at La Habra High School doing the same and finishing up my credential and Master's I will begin student teaching this Spring.
Tell us something interesting about you!
This is a hard question. I guess something most people don't know (or assume) about me is that I am a Sci-Fi and Fantasy nerd. I love Star Wars, Star Trek, Stargate, etc. in all sorts of mediums. I am a big Lord of the Rings and J.R.R. Tolkien fan. I love Bernard Cornwell's Last Kingdom series of novels. And so, so much more.
What is your content area and or current position?
My content area is Social Science (History) and I am currently a substitute teacher and Varsity football coach at La Habra High School.
What are your career goals?
I want to be a career teacher and eventually a head football coach at a high school. I hope to one day maybe teach AP Euro or APUSH because I like the idea of being able to delve deeper into these subject matters with students (though that might not be attainable if I am fortunate enough to become a head coach).
What do you hope to learn in this class?
I hope I can learn how I can utilize technology and instructional design to impact and benefit my students. I like the model of learning from experts in the field and how we can take their experiences and apply them to the classroom ourselves to help our own students. I am excited to dive into these subjects and learn how to use this information and grow as an educator.
