Academic Plan SWOT Analysis

Krista Openshaw

November 11, 2011

Elementary Education

Courses Already Taken:

English 1010 and English 2020 Phil 2050 (Ethics and Values) Biology 1010 Watercolor I (Fine Arts) American Civilizations (History) Kempo Karate (Elective)

Geology (Physical Science)

Meteorology (Physical Science) Spanish 1010 (Elective) PSY 1100 Math 1010 and Math 1050 Humanities

Sociology of Family (Elective)

Astronomy (Elective) Math 2010 Introduction to Education Exceptional Students

Courses Currently Being Taken:

Computer Technology for Teachers (EDEL 2200) Childrens Literature (EDEL 2330) Health Education for Elementary Teachers (HLTH 3100)

Math 2020
CLSS 2100 (Elective)

Program entrance requirements:

GPA of 3.0 or higher Score of 150 or higher on the Praxis II Exam

I passed with a score of 170

Attend a group interview Be accepted into the Elementary Education Program

I was accepted into the program in October 2011, I will start the program in January 2012

Courses needed to graduate: Junior Year

***These are all taken in the El Ed program***

SEMESTER I
Educational Psychology (EDEL 3000) 3 credits Foundations of American Education (EDEL 3050) 2 credits Instructional Media (EDEL 3250) 2 credits Curriculum Design and Assessment (EDEL 3350) 3 credits Classroom Management I (EDEL 4200) 1 credit Elementary Social Studies Methods (EDEL 4530) 3 credits Elementary Creative Arts Methods (EDEL 4540) 2 credits

SEMESTER II
Kindergarten Guidance (EDEL 3100) 2 credits Multicultural Education (EDEL 330G) 3 credits

Classroom Management II
(EDEL 4210) 1 credit Literacy Methods I (EDEL 4400) 3 credits Language Arts Methods (EDEL 4420)

3 credits
Elementary Math Methods I (EDEL 4510) 3 credits

Courses needed to Graduate: Senior Year

SEMESTER III
Classroom Management III (EDEL 4230) 1 credit Literacy Methods II (EDEL 4410) 3 credits Teaching English as a Second Language (EDEL 443G) 3 credits Elementary Science Methods (EDEL 4520) 3 credits

SEMESTER IV
Classroom Management IV (EDEL 4240) 1 credit Teacher Education Capstone Seminar (EDEL 4980) 1 credit Student Teaching 10 credits

Elementary Math Methods II (EDEL 4550) 3 credits

Differentiation for Special Populations (EDEL 4620) 2 credits

STRENGTHS:
I love to work with children, and love it when they learn something new, and when they understand a concept for the first time. This degree will give me the opportunity to have a positive effect on a childs life. I will have the same schedule as my own children when it comes to school. When they are off, I will be off. I wont miss anything and I will be there when they are home. I have loved taking the courses that have an emphasis on Elementary Education, and cant wait to take more of them in the program.

I am very passionate about the well being children, and I believe that this career is crucial in childrens lives, and Im excited to be a part of that.

WEAKNESSES:
This major has always appealed to me. I cant think of anything I wont like about it. The math courses have been challenging. Ive always struggled with math, but have learned some better studying skills, and its getting easier for me. You must have 121 credits to get your bachelors degree in this field. The four semesters in the program are very face paced, and very intense. It will take a lot to get through these semesters, but I know I can do it. This degree is mandatory for the field I want to enter. Without it, you cant teach. I am willing to commit as much time as it takes to receive this degree, and all of the time it will take when I do become a teacher to make lesson plans, and to make sure that my students ill enjoy my class, and enjoy learning.

OPPORTUNITIES:
This degree will open many doors in the educational field for me. I hope to learn to teach on a level that the my students will understand. I also hope to learn how to help my students that are struggling with the curriculum, so that I can teach them the way they need to be taught so they understand and wont get behind. I hope to graduate in December of 2013 I would like to teach fourth grade. Eventually I want to teach at a college level, in the education program and help those students that would also like to be teachers.

THREATS:
Financing college has always been something Ive always worried about, but with help from grants, I hope to finish college with a degree. I have to work hard to make time for school, studying, children and just my life, but with the help of a family and a very supportive husband, I have found the time to do everything required. This major is one that I am going to stick with.