To a beginning education student from LTM 612:

If you are reading this, I must say that congratulations are in order. You
have taken the next great step on your path to being an amazing educator,
and you will find Alverno an excellent institution to hone your craft. Within
these classrooms you will encounter the words and theories of such names
like Dewey, Piaget, Vygotsky, Freier, and Kolb. Do not become overcrowded
by these names, for their theories are meant to foster you into a formidable
educator. My first piece of advice is to gather these theorists into your library
and use their works to build your teaching strategies and embolden your
confidence in the classroom. However, this will not be difficult, as Alverno
strives consistently to strengthen your knowledge in these great thinkers.
Yet, this is not the only area where Alverno will strengthen you, nor the only
tool Alverno will provide you with.
If these theorists words can be considered the tools in an educators
teaching kit, then Alvernos five abilities (communication, conceptualization,
coordination, diagnosis, and integrative interaction) will be the strong
foundation to build your teaching career upon. These different, yet
interconnected, skills will build you up on your way to becoming an excellent
educator. I know that in my field experiences at Alverno each of these
abilities has played a direct connection. Communication is absolutely key,
especially when giving clear, concise directions for students.
Miscommunication can confuse students and take a step backwards within
the classroom. It is therefore prudent to keep it in the forefront of your

practice. Conceptualization is necessary for the teacher to remain confident

in their mastery of the subject matter, and the skills to translate the subject
matter into a manner that is easy and interestingly digestible. Coordination is
an integral part of your skills, especially when it comes to managing both
your class time and the classroom. If anything maintains students on their
proper goal in each lesson, coordination is certainly to be praised. Diagnosis
helps us as educators to understand about students learning needs, and
promotes inquiry in the classroom to help students elaborate in discussion.
Finally, integrative interaction is that key ability that links you with the
community and the educators around you. This is the ability that which lets
you know that you are not at all alone as you progress into your career with
the knowledge that you have your colleagues to help you along the way.
Using these abilities, in conjunction with the Wisconsin Standards for
Teaching, you will go far on this path. I have used them all in creating
disciplined lesson plans and unit plans while on my own path at Alverno.
However, if I needed to give any final pieces of advice for you, it would be to
focus on communication and integrative interaction. As I stated earlier,
communication is one thing that can make or break your lesson, which
makes it a variable that must be honed for you. Yet, this will come with
experience for sure. As for integrative interaction, some of my best lesson
ideas or unit plans have come either from inspiration from my own
classmates or from Google searches of skilled educators around the world.
Do not waste any of these resources, and use them all in honing your craft.

Keep learning no matter what, and you will become a master of this time
honored craft.
Sincerely,
Benjamin Rogaczewski