For RED-541 students and Dr. K...Literature Presentation

Dear Class,

I hope this works, it's my last ditch effort to make this file 100% viewable.  Hope you enjoy!

Leslie

Personal development plan

Personal Development Plan

What exactly is a Personal Development Plan, and how does one go about constructing one?  I am of the belief that life is all one big personal development plan.  We make plans, and as they either come to fruition or fail, we regroup and reorganize.  I asked myself what exactly I wanted out of life, and, of course, a majority of life has to do with what one does for a living.  I have a talent.  I can sing the most beautiful opera anyone has ever heard.  I was told for the majority of my life that it was my responsibility to share that talent with the world.  Personally, I don’t find any gratification in it.  It is fun to sing, but I am not accustomed to the limelight, and do not like much attention from people in a performance capacity.  So, I decided that I did not want to perform for a living.  I changed my major from Vocal Performance to several things, and after living for a year in Yosemite National Park I decided what I wanted to do:  Major in Biology and be a veterinarian.  

Through the course of my education in biology I was blessed to work closely with professors who led me in the direction of laboratory research, which I found to be very personally and professionally gratifying.  There is something about asking a question that doesn’t have an answer and then working toward answering that question with one’s own skills and intelligence.  After I graduated with my biology degree, I had the opportunity to follow my mentor to a new university and seek my PhD in plant population genetics. 

I decided not to enter the program based on a few factors:  1.  PhDs in science can take up to 8 years to attain, and require considerable dedication (up to 80 hours a week) to lab work and research.  I don’t think my 8 year old (then 6 year old) would appreciate being without her mother for that length of time.  2.  Funding for environmental research is plummeting and no one can ensure that it will increase in the future.  Again, I don’t think my daughter would be too keen on her mom not being able to secure funding when a prom dress is to be had.  3.  As is evident from numbers 1 and 2, my daughter is my absolute priority in life.  You could say that she is my personal development plan.  In being the best mom I can possible be, I wanted to find a career that would enable me to spend the time needed with her, still be involved in research and science, and still educate people (my aspirations were, and still are, to become a college professor).  Currently, I am attaining my Master’s degree in Secondary Science through an NSA grant (Noyce Scholars Program), and so far, I am excited about the future and look forward to continued inspiration from my professors and fellow educators alike.  

Aspirations

My current aspirations revolve around my career and my daughter.  My short term goals include securing a position with the Mobile County school system as a high school science teacher.  This will support another goal of mine:  keep a schedule that is similar to my daughter’s so that we can spend more time together.  I would also like to travel and educate myself abroad as much as possible.  Long term goals include attaining a PhD in Education and eventually teaching at the college level.  

Strengths and Competencies

I believe that my greatest strength is my love of science!  I am constantly reading, researching, web-surfing, and seeking out the newest and late-breaking science trends and articles.  It is very important to me that the science I share has been tested and peer reviewed, so as not to support any pseudo-science that is overtaking the internet.  It is so important as an educator that the information that I discuss is reliable.  

Other strengths include multitasking and working well with others under stressful situations.  I have worked in the hospitality industry through the course of my education, which takes an exorbitant amount of multitasking and inter-personal communication.  The ability to personally manage time is very important both in the service industry and in the laboratory setting as well.  There is not much micro-managing involved in either field, it is up to everyone that is part of the team to make decisions based on what is happening at that moment.  

The ability to empathize and compromise is extremely important in dealing with students.  Narcissism and an impetus for success have their places in business, competitive sports, and a myriad of other careers, but in order to be a successful educator, one must know that the success of the students supersedes and in some ways dictates a teacher’s success.   Empathy and compromise are traits that I am thankful for everyday.  

A teacher must be highly organized and focused, with the ability to be fluid with that organization.  You never know what the school day will bring.  A lesson plan is like a mini Personal Development Plan:  you have a plan, but sometimes plans change depending on the situation.  

In order to be a successful teacher, one must have an extensive grasp of the subject matter that is being taught.  I have heard it said that if you teach something twice, you have a good grasp of the information.  I have a slightly different philosophy.  There may be a rudimentary understanding of information that someone has looked up and taught a couple of times, but in order to really flesh out an idea or theory for instruction, a teacher should be very familiar with the subject matter.  This will inspire conversations and ideas in the classroom that a more simplistic understanding of the subject matter cannot foster.  

Education and Training

I have a Biology degree with a concentration in Genetics and Microbiology.  This is a great basis to pair with my Masters Degree in Education.  I have the skills to fully comprehend and create lesson plans and experiments, paired with the education classes that are preparing me for classroom organization and performance.  I had the opportunity to participate in an internship at Semmes Middle School in Mobile County, AL, and shadow a science teacher there.  It was very fun and informative!  I do not have much experience with kids of that age group, and it was so great to see their enthusiasm and interest for the subjects.  Teaching was very organic there, with students promoting the lesson plans themselves through discussion and questions.  I feel very blessed to have had that hands-on experience before getting my degree in education.  As an NSTA member, I have been fortunate to be involved in several seminars and conventions that foster continued education and hope to continue to network and learn from other teachers from around the country.  I plan on utilizing summer breaks in order to maximize my continued education plan.  

How will I realize this plan?

I am currently working toward my Masters in Science Education, and after graduation, I plan to take a position as a science teacher at a high school in Mobile County.  During summer breaks, I will teach abroad in third world or under-developed countries for a part of the summer, and utilize seminars for continued education.  After a few years experience, I plan on working toward my PhD in education, while conducting research that I will seek publication for.  After graduating with my PhD, I will seek a position at the college level, in order to inspire and teach future educators.  Throughout this plan, I look forward to building a family life for myself and my daughter and enjoying life in general!

Lifestyle priorities

Constructing a personal development plan was a bit more time consuming that I anticipated.  I have a foundation upon which I want to build my professional career, and an overall idea of where I want to go, but to really sit down and express those ideas is not always the easiest thing to do.  Throughout the process, I have kept my lifestyle priorities in mind, for without enjoyment in life, no one can really enjoy their career and vice-versa.  

I have pared my priorities down to 5 major ones:  

1.  To enjoy quality time with my daughter.  
2. To be employed in a career that will be enjoyable and also improve the community.    
3. To maintain my standards as a life-long learner.    
4. To travel as much as possible.    
5. To have the time and availability to allow my interests and influences to change and grow

I believe that in every aspect of life, if you are true to yourself and your family, if you truly love what you do, and you have the faith needed to persevere, happiness will be the only option.  

Viewable Curriculum Vitae:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-NpWh4BRUM_VGlTLUp2NnZoSkk/edit?usp=sharing

Leslie

Reading aloud to students

"Read to me"...that is the common phrase said to me from my 8 year old.  She said it when she was two (although it sounded like "Weed to me Mawmy"), and I hope she continues to say it!  Children will always ask for what they need, it's up to us to recognize that even though we are busy (or we don't see it as THAT important), they feel what they need, from when they are toddlers all the way through adolescence and adulthood.  Cadence, tone, excitement; all of these elements are learned behavior.  How many times do avid readers flock to hear words directly from the author's mouth?  We all love to hear the written word, why would a middle schooler or high schooler be different?  In the science classroom, we often do not read (aloud or otherwise), and I feel that reading could implement not only a greater understanding of the information, but also instill an interest that might not otherwise be cultivated.  

Tell me what you think...

Leslie

Website information

Please visit my website for more lesson plans, rubrics, and presentations!!

https://sites.google.com/site/edm510cazeaux/home

Class syllabus

Biology Syllabus                    2015-2016                       12th grade

Teaching Philosphy:

I believe the purpose of education is to prepare future generations to succeed not only academically, but also in real world applications.  We are not only competing on a national level for job opportunities, but also internationally.  The possibility to travel or work in other countries has never had as much potential as it does at this moment in time.  The internet gives people an opportunity to communicate, access news reports, and conduct business from country to country.  As a teacher, it is my responsibility to ensure that my students realize their academic potential.  It is also my responsibility to ensure that they can utilize what they have learned and use critical thinking skills to maximize opportunities along their chosen path.  The skills learned in an educational setting can not only be applied by college-bound youth, but also for anyone that seeks to be successful in life.  

Ms. Leslie A. Cazeaux

Anytown High School

2015-2016 school year

Email:  l.cazeaux@gmail.com

Class Blog:  www.cazeauxscience.blogspot.com  

School phone:  xxx.xxx.xxxx

Room # 555

Planning period:  is always one hour per day, varying from day to day.  Fell free to call or email for an appointment.

Science is an integral part of culture. It's not this foreign thing, done by an arcane priesthood. It's one of the glories of the human intellectual tradition. Stephen J. Gould, paleontologist and evolutionary scientist 

Course Goals and Objectives: 

Here are a list of basic class goals and objectives as dictated by the Alabama Learning Exchange:  http://alex.state.al.us/standardAll.php?subject=S1&ccode=BIO&summary=3  If you desire a copy, I will be happy to print one out for you.  

Required Materials:

•   Bring yourself!  (I have coffee!)
•   Class journal (can be digital or a binder with notebook paper and folders)
•   Lab notebook (I prefer a bound paper lab-book; ALWAYS write in pen!)
•   Pens and pencils (or money, to buy such, I will sell them at my desk)
•   Textbook  

Assignment Information:  

•   Student will be responsible for daily homework.
•   Journals will be examined daily for content, and bi-weekly for a “neatness/           completeness” grade.  The bi-weekly grade will contribute to extra exam points.
•   Bell-ringers will be given every morning to recap the previous day’s lecture.  5 bell-ringers will equal a journal grade for the week.  
•   A total of 3 exit slips consisting of 3 questions each will be given throughout the lecture week.  These will equal 1 quiz grade.  
•   A quiz will be given every Wednesday.
•   An exam will be given every Friday or Monday of the next lecture week.
•   There will be a bi-weekly lab during class-time.  
•   Students will have the opportunity to maintain a blog for extra credit, giving a paragraph (or longer) explanation of something they are interested in pertaining to the biological world.  
•   There will be one project for each quarter.  (to be announced).
•   EQTs are state-mandated tests for each quarter.  I fully anticipate the students’ readiness for this multiple choice test, it should be a “walk in the park” for them.  
•   I provide ample opportunity for grade-making, and will have a certain number of “drops”  for the quizzes, homework, journals, and blog assignments.

Attendance/Behavior Information:  

See the Mobile County School System Handbook for information on attendance, dress code, and behavior guidelines.  

Late and Makeup Work:  

•   Acceptance of late work is at the teacher’s discretion.  Multiple offenses will be addressed and possible rejected.  
•   Make-up work will be accepted within 3 days following the excused absence (see student handbook).  Extension for illness are available.  
•   Excessive unapproved absences are not eligible for make-up work.  

Assessment and Grading Procedures:  

•   50%  Weekly Exams
•   20%  Quarter projects
•   20%  Quizzes, homework, journals, and blogs
•   10%  Labs
•   3%  of grade is based on participation and conduct (come to class prepared, have materials, take notes, do not disrupt others, ask questions, and work cooperatively).  

Grading scale:  

see Student Handbook

Class Rules:  

•   Come to class on time, if you are late, you will not get an opportunity for bell-ringer points.
•   Be respectful - if actions are offensive or dangerous, they will be dealt with immediately.  
•   Depending on the block that your class falls in, a snack is allowed.
•   I love coffee and do not like students falling asleep in class, so coffee will be available.
•   Communication is key - let me know about what is going on with you - we can ALWAYS work something out!  Feel free to drop by during my planning period with questions or concerns, or up to an hour after the school day ends (parents are always welcome too!)
•   For your own safety - always adhere to lab protocol and safety guidelines.
•   I would love to have at least one field trip for each semester - suggestions welcome - details to come!  

Closing:  

I cannot tell you how excited I am about this school year.  I hope this class can prove that biology (and science in general) can be exciting and fun! 

Ms. Cazeaux

                           Scan here for class info------>   

Parent/Guardian letter

12th grade Biology l Some high school

T: 251.366.0676
E: l.cazeaux@gmail.com

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Welcome to Advanced Biology! My name is Leslie Cazeaux and this is my ___ year of teaching at ____. I have a great year planned for 2015/2016 and I am very excited about some of the topics that we will be exploring and the projects that I have planned for this year.

First thing’s first. I have been teaching ___ years overall, and ___ years at ___. I received my Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Alabama in Biol- ogy in 2012 with a research concentration in Genetics and Microbiology. From there, I obtained my Master’s degree from the College of Education at USA in 2015 where I learned a great deal about technology in the classroom and project-based learning. I plan on a heavy emphasis on both of these techniques in my classroom, so if there are any complications with assignment completion because of extraneous circumstances, please contact me and we will make accommodations :) I am a life-long learner and a lover of all things Biology. You might consider me a nerd, but my enthusiasm for the subject is sure to inspire at least some of your learners as well! Those that view science as boring will get a big shock...this class is going to be entertaining and fun (at least I anticipate it as such).

We will cover all required topics, as well as utilize student interest and talents to enhance our learning environment. I will have quarter multi-media projects for the students to complete in their choice of presentation, anything from mu- sic to video, written reports to PowerPoint presentation (Keynote and Google Slides will be introduced as well). I know we will do one of these projects on Mitosis/Meiosis and other topics will be introduced at a later date. I will maintain a website for the class where all lessons/due dates can be accessed by both students and teachers, and will probably begin a Facebook page for lab information as well.
I love to get feedback from you guys! Feel free to email me via my contact in- formation at the top of the page, or you can scan the barcode below to access ways to get in touch with me. Texting and email is preferable...a teacher’s day is busy, but I promise to get back with you as soon as possible. Your children’s learning is my primary goal! Please contact me personally with any concerns involving special needs/disabilities as I would like to make this course enjoy- able for all of my students.

I do expect proper behavior in my classroom. Dress attire is not required, but I would like to see a modicum of pride and an adherence to the school dress code everyday. See your school handbook for behavior codes and dress codes, if you have any questions, again, please contact me. I will have a place for all devices/cell phones at the front of the classroom, fully visible to the stu- dents and myself at all times. If move to the lab, the devices will be in a se- cured, locked storage room in my classroom.

I know this is a great deal of information, but I cannot emphasize how much I value guardian-teacher communication. I hope to know most of you by your first names by the end of the year, and I hope to teach your younger children as well, when they make it to their senior year! Get ready for a busy but fan- tastic year!
Hope to hear from you soon! 

Ms. Cazeaux

Scan here for classroom information!!