🌙 A Story to Begin

It was 11:00 p.m.—the time I’m usually winding down, brushing stardust from my day, and preparing to drift into sleep. Instead, I found myself wide awake, logging into my very first virtual cohort class. The glow of the screen lit up the room like a moonrise, and I felt both the weight of fatigue and the spark of anticipation.

There was something surreal about joining classmates from across the globe at such an hour. While my body whispered bedtime, my mind was launching into orbit. The discussions, the shared reflections, the energy of learning together—it all felt like a constellation forming in real time. That late-night rhythm became a reminder: growth doesn’t always happen on our schedule. Sometimes, it asks us to stretch beyond comfort, to stay awake a little longer, to lean into the unknown.

From that first midnight launch, each week has added a new star to my teaching constellation. Modules 1–4 weren’t just lessons; they were galaxies of discovery, shaping how I see myself as both learner and teacher.

🚀 Module 1: Learning in the Digital Age (Weeks 1–4)

• Week 1: Orientation—finding my footing in the online platform, learning the controls of my spacecraft.

• Week 2: Exploring digital tools for collaboration and instruction, realizing how technology expands the classroom universe.

• Week 3: Diving into online pedagogy, balancing synchronous and asynchronous learning.

• Week 4: Reflecting on how digital-age teaching reshapes student engagement and teacher presence.

🌠 Module 2: Student Assessments (Weeks 5–8)

• Week 5: Introduction to formative vs. summative assessments—two guiding stars for student growth.

• Week 6: Designing assessments that align with learning objectives.

• Week 7: Using data to inform instruction, learning to read the constellations of student progress.

• Week 8: Reflecting on equity in assessment and how to ensure every learner’s light is seen.

🌍 Module 3: Introduction to Clinical Learning (Weeks 9–10)

• Week 9: Meeting my mentor teacher and beginning to observe classroom dynamics.

• Week 10: Preparing for clinical practice, understanding expectations, and setting intentions for growth.

🌌 Module 4: Culture of Schooling (Weeks 11–13)

• Week 11: Exploring the history and philosophy of schooling—how education systems orbit around culture.

• Week 12: Examining diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools.

• Week 13: Reflecting on how culture shapes classroom practices and student experiences.

✨ Looking Ahead

From here on out, I will document each week what I’ve learned and how I’m growing—charting my trajectory through this program like a star map of my teaching journey. Each reflection will be a cosmic log entry, capturing both the challenges and the sparks of joy that come with learning to teach in today’s dynamic universe.

🌟 Mantra 

"Every learner is a star—shine your light, share your orbit, and keep expanding the galaxy of growth."