Herminia Tapia

Dr. Peter McCarthy

Education 205
December 3, 2014
Final Growth Statement
When assigned this topic I thought it would be like the average papers assign throughout
the rest of the semester. Dr.McCarthy would give as a outline of what questions he wanted us to
answer but, with this final growth statement we are allowed to take it where we want. We are
allowed to explore everything we have done within the whole semester in Dr. McCarthys class.
Its ironic that I would prefer to have Dr.McCarthy give us an outline on what he expect.

Education 205 Theorys and Principals was my first ever education. The reason in why I
decided to take an education class was because I was considering becoming a teacher. Taking
this education class really opened my eyes into the education world. I remember I got switch into
the class during the add/drop period, and I was super nervous because I thought I was not
capable of taking an education class. The first class I attend took place in Smith auditorium. Dr.
McCarthy had us do an activity in two groups. We laid thirty circle number on the floor and we
had to see which group could touch all of the number in the least amount of time. We had to
determine a winner, the group the finished the fasted or the group that though time would do
better. With this activity, I learn that the winner should be the group the progressed over time not
the one who finished the fasted.
I would argue that Dr. McCarthy's class is not like any other class I have taking at
Manhattan College. Within this classroom we built a community among each other and also,
with Dr. McCarthy. This is not something that is seen in other class in Manhattan but should

happen in all of the classrooms. Dr. McCarthy almost never lecture in front of the classroom, he
would sit at a table with the student. I found this to be effective because that way all of us in the
class could join and voice of opinions throughout the lecture.

During the semester we read three books; Mayher, Ayer and our profession literacy group
book. Within all three of this book I took in ideas and new perspectives of education. Mayher,
taught me about uncommon sense and how it is okay to have it within our classrooms. Ayer,
taught me that teachers should be learning along with the students. And lastly, Kidder taught me
that we should not judge the students base on past record, teachers should come up with their
own opinion towards the student.

Within this class, I learn that teacher are not always going to know the answer. It is okay
for the teacher and student to come up with an answer together. We had the chance to visit two
schools, PS 8 and Riverdale Country School. Both these school were completely different. I
noticed that the students in PS 8 where the student that needed us the most. Schools like PS 8 are
where teacher need to be going to help bring out the stars within student.

Now that this class is over I have realised that I have to make decision on what I am
going to do with my life. I believe that I might minor in Education although, that means that I
will not certified. I know I should not doubt myself but, I do not have enough faith in myself to
become a teacher. Although, teaching is something I would love to do because I enjoy working
with kids and helping people learn. In the future, I would definitely want to take another
education class and hope they are as interesting as education 205.