Entry 1: Introduction

    Hi, My name is Brittney Killion and I am a Senior at the University of Houston college of education. I will be graduating in December with a certification to teach 4th through 8th grade math. I am currently student teaching at Stockdick Junior High in Katy ISD. Thank you for taking the time to view my introduction video and I look forward to getting to know everyone better and learning more ways to support my students in my last semester at UH.



 

Comments

  1. TafuroSabrinaAugust 26, 2020 at 2:05 PM

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  2. ValadezDanielaAugust 28, 2020 at 5:00 PM

    Hello Brittney!

    You mentioned in your video that you are not fully confident in speaking Spanish and that is something that a lot of ELL's can relate to when it comes to speaking English in the classroom. According to Wright, "An understanding of what ELL students can do with oral and written English at different stages of second language acquisition is crucial if teachers are to provide
    effective language and content area instruction." (2015, pg.10) With that being said, one of the most helpful strategies teachers can do to help ELL's is knowing exactly where they stand with their English knowledge. Since you can relate to how some ELL's feel with their knowledge of English, I know you will do everything in your power to help them feel comfortable in your classroom. Good luck!

    Wright, Wayne. Foundations for Teaching English Language Learners: Research, Theory, Policy, and Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon, 2015. Print. Second Edition.

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    1. Brittney KillionSeptember 11, 2020 at 9:27 AM

      Hi Daniella! Thank you so much for your kind words. I will definitely ensure that I am knowledgeable on what level of proficiency each of my EL students is currently at. I have several EL students in my classes for student teaching this semester, so I am thankful I get to practice with this before it becomes solely my responsibility.

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  3. erskineemmaSeptember 3, 2020 at 12:19 PM

    Hi Brittney!! It was so nice listening to your video and your teaching philosophy regarding your English Language Learners!! You mentioned that you would be sure to give your students ample opportunities to practice speaking English out loud in class. When we give our students multiple opportunities to practice their English, not only will they gain more confidence in their English proficiency, these students will start to feel like valued members of the classroom community. Since we know that ELL students shape their identity through their interactions in school and at home, showing them that we value what they bring to the class community. This is a wonderful culturally sustaining pedagogy that will help you support your students in their academic successes!!

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    1. Brittney KillionSeptember 11, 2020 at 9:31 AM

      Hi Emma! Thank you for your comment. I know that for us math teachers, language is not always a primary focus. I am grateful for all of the tools the UH is given us to be able to support our EL students. It will be important for us to remember them once we are independently responsible of a classroom.

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  4. TafuroSabrinaSeptember 5, 2020 at 12:52 PM

    Hi Brittney! I related to your statement about being Hispanic, but not knowing Spanish. My parents do not speak Spanish, but three out of six of my grandparents do. Just like your father, they did not teach their children to speak Spanish in fear that they would face the same struggles they had to overcome in their childhood and adult life. Like you, I also took Spanish classes in school, but I did not absorb the information as well as I would have hoped. I attribute that to me focusing on memorizing speeches word-for-word instead of truly understanding what I was saying. I think I did this in fear of making mistakes because like you said, conjugation is tough, and I know I do not do it properly all the time. I want my classroom to feel like a safe space where my students are not afraid of making mistakes and a place where they know they will not be judged if they do. Practice is what is important. I loved the advice of using pictures with vocabulary, sentence stems, and extra wait time. Like stated in “Foundations for Teaching English Language Learns” by Wayne E. Wright, we have to know information about our student’s backgrounds and must be aware of the literacy levels in their homes, their educational history, and their ELP level among other things, in order to develop those strategies like you mentioned above and know what services and resources will help our students to be successful. (Wright, 2019, pg. 25) The strategies may seem like small additions to the classroom, but they will make a drastic impact.

    Wright, W. E. (2019). Chapter 1. In Foundations for teaching English language learners: Research, theory, policy, and practice (pp. 1-26). Philadelphia, PA: Caslon.

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    1. Gaspar ChristineSeptember 5, 2020 at 1:42 PM

      HI Sabrina!
      I love your comment to Brittney! I too have to agree with you on taking a class in Spanish but not absorbing it. I had to take Spanish in what I believe was 5th grade. I don't remember much, but from what I call, her lessons and activities were not all that engaging. I to agree with the quote that you used from the book. Another quote that I feel appropriate is; according to Wright (2019), All teachers are ELL teachers because they share in the same responsibilities of meeting the language and academic needs of ELLs. I think that this is important as it will help teachers to develop the strategies mentioned as well. Great job making the connections Sabrina!

      Wright, Wayne. Foundations for Teaching English Language Learners: Research, Theory, Policy, and Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon, 2019. Print. Third Edition.

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    2. Brittney KillionSeptember 11, 2020 at 9:38 AM

      Hi Sabrina. Thank you for your response. I'm curious to know if your parents ended up learning Spanish later in life. If not, do you feel that this had an impact on your relationship with non-English speaking relatives or on your connection to Hispanic culture? I know with my experience with being Hispanic, but not a native Spanish speaker, there were often times I felt a bit like an outsider.

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  5. UnknownOctober 25, 2020 at 3:20 PM


    Hey Brittney! I loved learning a little bit about your background with learning a different language. It is so funny how your dad did not want you to have a hard time speaking Spanish. My parents did not want us to forget Spanish, so we were not allowed to speak anything but that language when we were at home. Other than that our stories are very similar. It was interesting to learn that “India and China surpassed Mexico as the top countries of origin for recently arrived immigrants” (2015, pg 7) The fact that we are so close to the border may have something to do with my misconception.

    Wright, Wayne. Foundations for Teaching English Language Learners: Research, Theory, Policy, and Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon, 2015. Print. Second Edition.

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