Masters of Foreign Language Teaching Program: Reflective Essay

My previous teaching experiences in a variety of local school districts have allowed me to gain
valuable skills that have prepared me to be an effective educator. However, I found myself constantly
looking for ways to improve my teaching skills and find innovative lessons to continually engage my
students. I did not feel as though my learning was done so to speak. Coming to this realization, I began
searching for programs to further my education and earn my master’s degree.

I am very fortunate to have found the Masters of Foreign Language Teaching (MAFLT)
Program at Michigan State University. Looking to pursue an advanced degree in teaching, I had an
abundance of options open to me, yet none were as content specific as this one. After completing the
program in sixteen months, I am confident that I made the right decision in choosing an institution. I
have truly developed professionally and academically, as well as gained an immense amount of
resources to apply every day in the classroom.

I will admit that I was apprehensive to completing a degree entirely online since I know myself
to be a hands-on, visual and classroom learner. To my surprise, I think I actually thrived in this
environment and I attribute it to not only my dedication to academics, but mostly to how the program is
designed and implemented. All of the instructors that I worked with in the past year and a half have
been extremely helpful and accommodating. Not to mention, we are fortunate enough to have such
advanced technology in this day and age that I was able to meet virtually with professors and even
collaborate with fellow students who lived across the country. I am impressed at how I was able to
network professionally with so many other colleagues in the world language field. I have built
relationships with some of my classmates and we are constantly in contact collaborating. I have added
professional references to my resume, and I have made contacts in the Michigan World Language
Association. I would have never expected this outcome from completing an online degree, and I am
glad that the program has exceeded my expectations.

I thoroughly enjoyed the diverse types of classes offered through this program. When I first
enrolled, I was a curious that some of the courses might be a repeat of my undergraduate degree.
Thankfully, my worries quickly subsided. As I reflect on my undergraduate degree, I had very strong
education professors and student teaching experiences. However what was so impressive about the
MAFLT program is that they took topics that we may have only briefly explored and investigated in my
undergraduate courses, expanded on them and devoted entire courses to them at the graduate level. For
instance, in my undergraduate degree I was only briefly exposed to the topic of second language
acquisition (SLA) and literacy in the target language. Now, after completing the MAFLT Program, I
have co-written SLA research articles and created lesson plans focusing on building literacy skills in
the target language. It is clear that these courses have taught me valuable new knowledge that I can use
in my current teaching career.

I found it interesting how often throughout my career and education that my teaching
philosophy has continued to evolve. Each time I have written the document, I have thought to myself
that I am content with my beliefs as they are well researched, and I did not anticipate changing it again.
While the modifications to my philosophy were by no means drastic, I am happy that all courses
throughout the MAFLT Program have contributed to shaping and evolving my beliefs. For example,
before I began my graduate studies, I had believed that culture and technology should be incorporated
in the world language classroom. Now that I have taken the MAFLT courses on culture and technology,
I was able to expand on those thoughts in order to explain why they should be integrated and exactly
what kind of a role each of them have in the classroom.
 My favorite course in the program was Administration and Program Development in which we
learned how to pursue leadership roles in our district and how to create and manage Language
Programs in public school districts. I enjoyed this course because I have aspirations of becoming a
department chairperson and later taking on the role of curriculum director of world languages. This was
a very practical class to take because it outlined the process for how I will advance my own career, and
it also pushed me to put my own ideas about the future of world language programs on paper. All
materials that I created in the class as well as the resources we studied will give me an edge when
competing against other candidates for these types of leadership positions.

While I have gained an immense amount of knowledge on current pedagogy and educational
theory in the field of world language, I am most pleased with how I have developed as a professional.
Each course has provided me with tools and insights to share with my colleagues in my district, and I
have even been asked to run professional development seminars training my fellow teachers. All of this
is extremely valuable to me because while I love teaching Spanish in the classroom, I have ambitious
plans to advance my career. By completing this program, I have opened the door to many other
opportunities in the field of world language teaching.

Overall, I am very pleased with my experience in the MAFLT Program. Looking back I realize
that I could have selected many other programs or institutions to earn my master’s degree. I am
thankful that I took the time to choose such a meticulously designed program to ensure that I was
receiving the best education for the degree I chose to pursue. I would strongly advise any professional
in the field who is looking to advance their career that they enroll in the MAFLT Program.
 When it comes to genre, Back to the future is one of the best science fiction movies in the
1980’s that was ever made. It is not just those typical sci-fi movies but is also a humorous one. It has all
the elements that would make someone laugh and thrillingly be surprised. The good thing about the
movie is that it is for everyone, children, teenagers, adults and can be watched together by families or
friends. I also love how film could be a mix of drama, sci-fi, comedy and suspenses and perfectly
makes sense together.

The quality of the film left me happy and satisfied. I never expected it to be aesthetically
pleasing with the fact that it was an old film. I thought I would have to endure and force myself to
watch some substandard film for 1 hour and 56 minutes. I was easily wrong. I have to admit that I
could watch the movie all over again. Back to the future is truly a classic masterpiece. It such a
wonderful film that is impossible to forget every detail of it. I don’t think I could ever get sick of it
because legit, it is near to perfection. I cannot recommend this movie enough, it is accessible to all
ages. I have never encounter such such great science fiction old film. It was worth sharing and talking
about. Its kinda sad that it lasts up to three parts but it was unforgettable. This film will always be
remembered by most of the people and that includes me. If I would to rate this film. I would go give
10/10 because it is indeed rare, one of a kind and one of the best movies not just in 80s but up until
now.
Presentation Title: An Analysis of Yukon Delta Salmon Management
Research focus: Fisheries management related to Bering Sea fisheries and Yukon River salmon
populations.
School: Western Washington University
Student Level: Masters Presentation Type: Oral Presentation

Abstract:

An Analysis of Yukon Delta Salmon Management Rita Asgeirsson,

The broad range of Pacific Alaskan salmon has resulted in the creation of a complex and
multiorganizational system of management that includes the state of Alaska, various federal
departments, a Congressionally-mandated fishery council, and a number of commercial and
nongovernmental fish organizations. In the Bering Sea salmon are caught by the commercial
groundfish fleet as by-catch. On the Yukon River salmon are commercially and traditionally harvested
for both economic and cultural sustenance by the Yup’ik residents of the Yukon Delta. Declining
salmon populations has driven scientific research which considers the effects of Bering Sea salmon by-
catch.

My research findings indicate that Bering Sea fisheries occur where juvenile salmon mature, directly
impacting Yukon River salmon populations. Further, the research reflects that although Yukon salmon
populations have plummeted, a recent effort was made to open the northern Bering Sea, which includes
the Yukon River coastal shelf, to deep-sea commercial fishing.

By researching the relationship of policy to cultural salmon dependence, it becomes evident that
Alaskan salmon-tribes are excluded from salmon management and decision-making. Legal research
reflects that three basic federal Indian concepts – inherent rights, Indian Country, and tribal right of
occupancy – emerge as potential foundations that may allow Alaskan salmontribes to begin sharing
legal responsibility over salmon.

Yukon River salmon are an international and anadromous species that require multiorganizational
management. My research reflects that current management favors the Bering Sea commercial fishing
industry, despite data indicating Bering Sea fisheries impact Yukon salmon populations and an overall
downward trend in Yukon salmon populations.

Researcher: Alexandrea Bowman

Introduction
Drug abuse is one of the primary problem of our society. Many people became addicted to drugs as it cause
them euphoria or too much happiness. Drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more
than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those
who want to. Despite of feeling euphoria while taking drugs,there are various bad effects that will ruin your
life. Drug users maybe influenced by their parents, friends and their environment. Others are just curious and
want to try these prohibited drugs and that end up for them becoming a drug addict. Some people uses drugs
as an escape to their problems. But as time passes by, they didn't notice that they are being an addict. It's hard
to stop as it is very addicted. They say, "Lahat ng sobra, nakakasama". Too much use of these drugs especially
if it is prohibited or dangerous drugs will take your life at risk.

Objective
-The main aim of this project is to create awareness on the cause and effects of using or taking prohibited
drugs to our body.
-To apply treatment and rehabilitation to drug addicts.
-To lessen the drug addicts in the Philippines.
-To change the perspective and the lifestyle of those drug addicts.

Purpose
This program will help the drug users or drug addicts to stop using drugs as it causes bad to our health. This
users will stop using those drugs and be a functional and law abiding citizen of our country. It is not just for
drug users or drug addicts,but also to those people who don't use drugs so that they will be knowledgeable and
prevent using prohibited drugs.

Description
According to Drug and Alcohol Information, a drug is a substance that affects the way the body functions. If a
drug is classified as ‘illegal’, this means that it is forbidden by law. Different illegal drugs have different
effects on people and these effects are influenced by many factors. This makes them unpredictable and
dangerous, especially for young people. In this generation, people became more judgmental on what they are
seeing in our society. Those people who are problematic tends to find a thing that will help them forget those
problems. They uses drugs as they thought that it will help them solve their problems. But the fact is, it will
just add fuel to the fire. As soon as President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in 2016, the Philippine
government launched a nationwide antidrug campaign based on enforcement-led anti-illegal drugs policies
primarily implemented by the national police. According to former Philippine National Police Chief Ronald
dela Rosa, the policy is aimed at "the neutralization of illegal drug personalities nationwide". Three of the
most used and valuable illegal drugs in the country are methamphetamine hydrochloride (known locally as
shabu), marijuana, and methylenedioxymethamphetamine, commonly known as ecstasy. As stated in the
program's purpose, this will help those people who uses drugs to undergo intensive and serious counseling.
We will seek the help of police officers and the government to search those people who uses prohibited drugs.

Support
The cost of this project will require a million including the performance pay of psychiatrist and the
rehabilitation center. Teachers,guidance counselor and parents could also help in counseling those drug
addicts. The items needed for this project are facts about the cause and effects of using prohibited drugs.