Well, I couldn't come up with a clever title... But teaching has always been in the back of my mind as a possible profession. People tell me I'm pretty smart, my grades show it, and I enjoy teaching other people unless they're complete idiots. So I have always thought about it as a backup if I don't come up with any other hobbies I'm genuinely good at within the next year.
"But what kind of teaching?" you may ask. Well, I would like to teach middle school probably, since elementary school is all about one teacher teaching the many subjects (plus I was never all that great at division, so fourth grade is out) and high school is just way too impossible. From the kids that think they're gangster and have a right to swear in class, to the kids that choose an AP class when they are nowhere near AP understanding of that subject, it just all seems way too difficult. I appreciate all of the work teacher's do in high school, but I would never want to do it myself. And so that leaves middle school. The bridge of learning between basic math and the quadratic formula. Between sentence structure and five page papers. Between the Native Americans and the assassination of Lincoln. Basically, middle school teachers, though sometimes seen as the easy classes, still have a lot on their plates. If I was to teach middle school, I would probably teach the "core curriculum". As far as I know, that covers History and English, which people seem to think coincide. For me, at least, they definitely don't. I'm much stronger with English than I am with History, with the exception of this year since I'm in an AP English class and Mrs. Jonhsgard's History class. I mean, I understand English and it makes more sense to me than History, which is a lot of memorization of dates and names. However, when I was in middle school and had a good core teacher, I was thrilled. So I would like to do that for some children in the future without having to worry about foul language or kids that can't spell "Europe". All in all, I like to keeps my options open (in case you couldn't tell already) and I do enjoy kids and teaching, so that is definitely a possibility.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Monday, November 19, 2012
Drama As A Career
Now just from the title I think it is pretty self explanatory what this post will be about. Theatre is quite possibly one of the least trustworthy careers a person could have. The people that I have met who have chosen this as their path often work two other jobs and are constantly jumping from audition to audition, trying to get a job. However, I can't get enough of it.
I have been in countless productions starting in sixth grade with Disney's Mulan Jr. Growing up, I was always enrolled in a sport and musical instrument. I have known how to read music since I was four and since my current sport was karate, I thought it would be cool to try it out. I ended up getting a very small part, but it sparked the flame inside me. Since then I have done about thirty performances, whether they were class shows, main-stage performances, or Haunted Houses. I have never gotten any big part, maybe that's what I'm waiting for. I currently have the largest role I've ever had in a main-stage show; a grand total of 13 lines in a 3-act play (getting the role strictly because of my hair color and the directors belief that I CAN speak in an Irish accent... I can't).
A lot of things that interest me, like music, theatre and teaching are all difficult jobs to make a living off of, but (as every teacher tells their students) they don't do their job for the money, they do it for the students. Ultimately, the people who follow those professions follow their dreams, and, as nice as it sounds, I really don't following my dreams is the right choice. I would certainly enjoy becoming a part of a community theater organization when I'm older and more grounded, but I definitely do not see myself on -or anywhere near- Broadway.
I have been in countless productions starting in sixth grade with Disney's Mulan Jr. Growing up, I was always enrolled in a sport and musical instrument. I have known how to read music since I was four and since my current sport was karate, I thought it would be cool to try it out. I ended up getting a very small part, but it sparked the flame inside me. Since then I have done about thirty performances, whether they were class shows, main-stage performances, or Haunted Houses. I have never gotten any big part, maybe that's what I'm waiting for. I currently have the largest role I've ever had in a main-stage show; a grand total of 13 lines in a 3-act play (getting the role strictly because of my hair color and the directors belief that I CAN speak in an Irish accent... I can't).
A lot of things that interest me, like music, theatre and teaching are all difficult jobs to make a living off of, but (as every teacher tells their students) they don't do their job for the money, they do it for the students. Ultimately, the people who follow those professions follow their dreams, and, as nice as it sounds, I really don't following my dreams is the right choice. I would certainly enjoy becoming a part of a community theater organization when I'm older and more grounded, but I definitely do not see myself on -or anywhere near- Broadway.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Psychology- An Art and Science
I figured I would start at the beginning of the list of interests in my first post, which happened to start with Psychology. Psychology is, in short, a scientific study of behavior and mental processes, and how surroundings, genetics, or other possible things could affect the behavior and mental processes of a human. I am currently enrolled in Ms. Atton's Psychology class and I find it incredibly interesting, if I do say so myself. Although the class is primarily studying, note taking, and memorization, the topic is so fascinating for me that it isn't all that bad. So far in that class we have covered the methods of research used in psychology and the basic subfields. I'll give a brief description of each subfield and an example if I think it will help you understand it. However, first let's begin with the 5 goals of psychology: observe, define (or describe, in some cases), explain, predict, and control. The goals usually occur in that order. Alright! On to the studies.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Biological Psychology is the study of how the brain and other organs are affected by behavior. If you have heard of Phantom Limbs (when a limb gets amputated, but people claim to still be able to feel or move it) that is an example of Biological Psychology. This often also includes situations like Déjà vu, and also includes movement and speech cases, like Parkinson's disease or Broca's Aphasia.
DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
This Psychology studies the changes in behavior and mental processes from birth to old age. It includes the development of memory and mental abilities. For example, if you slap a child every time they ask to go to McDonald's, they will eventually be too afraid to ask to go, and will cease asking all together. That would be a type of Developmental Psychological study. This also includes cases of divorced parents and how that would affect a child.
COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
Your cognitive abilities allow you to receive outside information, understand it, and then act on it. This form of Psychology studies your mental abilities such as perception, learning and memory, thinking, and intelligence. Optical illusions are a study of someone's cognitive abilities. They are used for the perception area of this subfield.
PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY
Personality Psychology studies similarities and differences among people and based on that, then compares their reliability, sociability, prejudices, and can even look at what makes someone a pessimist, or believe in aliens. If all children who had divorced parents between the ages of five and ten had learning disorders or pessimistic personalities, that would be a study in Personality Psychology.
CLINICAL, COUNSELING, COMMUNITY, and HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
Clinical and Counseling Psychologies are very similar but also different at the same time. Counseling Psychologists normally have a private practice and often take less severe cases than Clinical Psychologists, who often work in hospitals or with people who have extreme cases like suicidal tendencies or need rehabilitation. Community Psychologists reach out to people who need help, but don't seek it. They often reach out to the homeless and attempt to prevent disorders within that community. Health Psychologists study how someone's health affects their behavior, for example, how one person copes with cancer compared to another person.
EDUCATIONAL and SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY
Educational Psychology develops theories about teaching and learning. The psychologists look for ways to improve respect, learning, and reduce prejudices. School Psychologists work with IQ testing, children with learning disabilities, and work to improve achievement.
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
This Psychology studies how people think of themselves and others and how it affects their behavior and mental processes. This often includes peer pressure or prejudices, and this form of Psychology has been used to prevent AIDS and promote seat belts.
OTHER FIELDS
Other fields of Psychology that I didn't have much research on include the following: Sports, Forensic, Environmental, Military, Consumer, and Neuro psychology.
So that's a basic outline of the first six weeks of Psychology class! The one I find most interesting is School Psychology, probably because that's where I am in my life right now- the school years. Alright, thanks for reading! Until next time!
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Biological Psychology is the study of how the brain and other organs are affected by behavior. If you have heard of Phantom Limbs (when a limb gets amputated, but people claim to still be able to feel or move it) that is an example of Biological Psychology. This often also includes situations like Déjà vu, and also includes movement and speech cases, like Parkinson's disease or Broca's Aphasia.
DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
This Psychology studies the changes in behavior and mental processes from birth to old age. It includes the development of memory and mental abilities. For example, if you slap a child every time they ask to go to McDonald's, they will eventually be too afraid to ask to go, and will cease asking all together. That would be a type of Developmental Psychological study. This also includes cases of divorced parents and how that would affect a child.
COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
Your cognitive abilities allow you to receive outside information, understand it, and then act on it. This form of Psychology studies your mental abilities such as perception, learning and memory, thinking, and intelligence. Optical illusions are a study of someone's cognitive abilities. They are used for the perception area of this subfield.
PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY
Personality Psychology studies similarities and differences among people and based on that, then compares their reliability, sociability, prejudices, and can even look at what makes someone a pessimist, or believe in aliens. If all children who had divorced parents between the ages of five and ten had learning disorders or pessimistic personalities, that would be a study in Personality Psychology.
CLINICAL, COUNSELING, COMMUNITY, and HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
Clinical and Counseling Psychologies are very similar but also different at the same time. Counseling Psychologists normally have a private practice and often take less severe cases than Clinical Psychologists, who often work in hospitals or with people who have extreme cases like suicidal tendencies or need rehabilitation. Community Psychologists reach out to people who need help, but don't seek it. They often reach out to the homeless and attempt to prevent disorders within that community. Health Psychologists study how someone's health affects their behavior, for example, how one person copes with cancer compared to another person.
EDUCATIONAL and SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY
Educational Psychology develops theories about teaching and learning. The psychologists look for ways to improve respect, learning, and reduce prejudices. School Psychologists work with IQ testing, children with learning disabilities, and work to improve achievement.
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
This Psychology studies how people think of themselves and others and how it affects their behavior and mental processes. This often includes peer pressure or prejudices, and this form of Psychology has been used to prevent AIDS and promote seat belts.
OTHER FIELDS
Other fields of Psychology that I didn't have much research on include the following: Sports, Forensic, Environmental, Military, Consumer, and Neuro psychology.
So that's a basic outline of the first six weeks of Psychology class! The one I find most interesting is School Psychology, probably because that's where I am in my life right now- the school years. Alright, thanks for reading! Until next time!
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Hello There Readers!
Hey there Bloggers! Let me begin by saying I have never "blogged" or done anything related to it, so this is certainly a learning experience for me. I'm not much of a Social Network advocate, or anything like Social Networking- like blogs- because I don't really understand how it works, or what to do with it. Speaking of things I don't know what to do, you may have noticed the title of the blog to be "One Big Question Mark". That is because this is a blog about possible career paths for my future, but my future is, as you may have guessed, one big question mark. I have plenty of hobbies and favored past-times, and I'm also pretty good at school, but nothing really towers over everything else as something I would want to pursue. Therefore, this blog will propose different careers that involve some of my favorite things, and, maybe by the time this project is wrapping up, I'll share my favorite career that I found. Some things that might be considered are professions dealing with the following: Psychology, English, Math/Engineering, Theatre, Teaching, and maybe even a little Science in there somewhere. Thanks for taking time to read my information and what not, and, if I've kept your attention and you keep mine, maybe I'll see your blog around, too!
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