Philosophies of Education

Some of the major philosophies of education in the US today include

• promote the fundamental philosophic treatment of the problems of education
• promote the clarification of agreements and differences among the several philosophies of education through the opportunities for discussion afforded by annual meetings
• advance and improve teaching in the philosophy of education both in schools for the education of teachers and in other educational institutions
• cultivate fruitful relationships between workers in general philosophy and workers in philosophy of education
• cultivate fruitful relationships between scholars in philosophy of education and those in other areas of education, and
• encourage promising students in the field of philosophy of education.

I believe that the philosophies on education are an ongoing process that can be changed at any moment in time. There is not set philosophy on education that is right or wrong, instead it is based on your own beliefs and what you do as a teacher to implement those beliefs throughout your teaching. In regards to these standards, I believe that any teacher can advance and improve at any given time, which goes for the school district  as well. One cannot simply put a limit on education and knowledge. Learning is endless and everyone can learn a lesson from anyone. As a teacher you learn lessons daily from your own mistakes as well as your students. As a teacher you also learn form your colleges, from their mistakes and from their years of experience teaching as well. I also believe that encouraging students and promising them a proper education is extremely important. Students should continuously be motivated to succeed, especially in terms of education. They should also be promised and given the opportunity to receive a high quality education at all times and no matter what school they are attending. 

My own philosophy on education is as follows...

"Ideal teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross, then having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create bridges of their own" (Nikos Kazantzakis). As a teacher, I believe that it is our responsibility to guide our students in the right direction and inspire them to create their own path. Where that path takes them, is their own decision and fate, however; our role is to prepare them for what may come. Education is a door open to endless possibilities and as a teacher I believe it is my job to share these possibilities with my students in the best ways that I can. Through the help of the other staff members, the school, and the community, our job as educators is to work together to provide our students with a positive learning environment in order to prepare them for the real world. 

School is viewed as a sense of unity and a place where people come together to learn, share ideas, and inspire from within. To some, a school is a safe ground and a welcoming environment where students can be themselves and feel comfortable without judgment. School is where students join together, create every lasting memories, and grow as individuals. As a teacher, experiencing a student's growth and success is extremely rewarding and motivating knowing you have made an impact. In my classroom, I will educate and drive my students to be unique, to be responsible, and to be avid learners at all times. I believe that these qualities are essential for student growth and future development. As a community, education will be promoted continuously and I will do my best to prepare my students for the future. 

School leaders are professionals that work together to find the best possible resources for their students, making them their main focus. A leader consistently has the student’s best interest in mind and will sacrifice "the me for the we" at any given time. Students need someone who they can look up to as a positive role model which is why school leaders are vital in every school setting. A school leader is approachable, understandable, and accommodating to students in need of advice and guidance. As a teacher, I will understand the diversity among the students and will work together with my staff members to create a warm and inviting environment within the school and community. 

Students frequently learn through their own curiosity and experiences. I believe that students should be given opportunities to explore their interests and discover on their own what they are passionate about in life. Through the school's curriculum, students can explore various settings and obtain deeper knowledge based upon the subjects and sections that captivate them the most. I believe that it is a teacher’s responsibility to teach their lessons in numerous styles in order to adequately reach out to every student. Teachers need to guide their students more often and drive them to their own success by just believing in them and giving them that initial drive. 

As a community, it is extremely important for the teachers, parents, and other members to join forces and work together. When everyone is behind the students best interest that is when the school is the most effective and successful. Parents must continuously be aware of their child's achievements and progress in order to support the teachers and what they are doing in the classroom. Through simple notices or memos, any sort of communication is essential towards the effective learning process. Parents have a significant impact on their child's life and with their support and influence; I truly believe that any student can achieve greatness. 

As a teacher, I believe that students learn through their own mistakes, their own experiences, and through their own success. There is only so much a teacher can do before the students must take it upon themselves to make the right decisions and become aware of their own potential. Through the countless lessons taught and the advice given, teachers can only hope that their students believe in themselves as much as we believe in them. Knowledge is power and it derives from various physical, emotional, and social occurrences that any student may experience. As an educator, I will do my best to teach my students push them into believing that anything is possible at any given time.

Nutrition and Education

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KLSp1H2ujthWNkHMO2dJ4gTPV0ZZXaGjQC5Ou_yJFEc/edit

Diversity In Sports

Diversity

Diversity encompasses the values of acceptance as well as respect and it recognizes individual differences. Diversity is a mutual understanding that each individual is unique in their own way and it is about moving beyond tolerance in order to embrace and celebrate these differences. Diversity encompasses several areas such as the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, and/or other ideologies.  Diversity allows for exploration in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment and it is a commitment to appreciating the beauty of individual and unique characteristics. 

Everyone is included and connected through diversity in various ways. Classifications are made based upon the simplest characteristics which is why diversity is incorporated throughout every day life as well. I have had several experiences related to diversity, especially since I grew up going to school in a very diverse district. My graduating class consisted of 770 students and every single person was unique in their own way. My school was made up of a vast variety of races, ethnicities, and students from families with all different socioeconomic statuses. I have witnessed or heard about a few fights break out due to the differences of races and the people amongst those groups. It is sad to say that these situations due occur, and most often they are in a school setting. However; for the most part, I have experienced several positive situations dealing with diversity as well. 

Our athletic programs were extremely diverse and consisted of student-athletes of all races and ethnicities. I believe that my experience playing sports with people of all different backgrounds was a more influential and effective compared to other schools who were not as diverse and unique as us. Playing with athletes that were from different homes, different, backgrounds, and who had different traditions was a learning experience and helped open my eyes to all the possibilities there are in the world. We have played against teams that were predominantly white or predominantly black and hispanic together, though I feel that our equal mix of diversity helped shape us into the individuals we are today. 

At an early age I learned to accept and embrace diversity compared to most people. My younger cousin is African American and was adopted by my Aunt and Uncle about seven years ago. Naturally people will stare in the mall or at an unfamiliar grocery store, though I believe it is only because they are curious of our story. The adoption of my cousin is one of the greatest experiences and miracles that could have happened to my family and we are so happy that he is apart of our life. 

Through my experience teaching I have encountered various scenarios of diversity. For one, the school district in which I completed my fieldwork observations in for EDU 256, there was not a mixture of races and different ethnicities. The school which I observed mainly consisted of students who were white and the only diversity they shared was the differences amongst their own personalities, interests, and looks. These diversities still stood out amongst the students, even though they are not as noticeable compared to color and backgrounds. I noticed that the students were still unique and different based upon the people they hung out with, the clothes they wore, and the way in which they behaved. I never knew that diversity could include such a broad set of differences and through observing in this school district, the students quickly helped me to realize their uniqueness. 

Diversity is extremely important to have within a community, an athletic team, and/or a school district. Diversity helps students understand the different cultural backgrounds and it teaches them to accept others for who they are. Uniqueness is one of the most important qualities a person can maintain. Being able to be yourself for who you are and being an individual is one of the greatest and most respected characteristics. Diversity should be embraced more and it should definitely be taught and talked about more throughout schools. I believe having an understanding and appreciation for diversity is extremely important for all to be aware of. 

Common Core

Corporate Sponsorship

The business community has significant influence amongst school cultures and finances. Often times successful business will donate money, grants, and fundraise programs within the school district of the same town. Corporate business loves giving back to the community because it gives them a good name amongst the public eye and it allows them to advertise their logos for the business. Corporate business's receive a lot of attention through their participation amongst the community due to their name on logos, uniforms, posters and signs within the school. Some business's even pay a lot of money just to have their logo advertised in order to endorse their product or services. 

Direct advertising appears throughout schools on the walls, on materials such as posters or book covers, on buses, athletic scoreboards, lunch menus, and/or bulletin boards. The advertisements can be small or large depending on the item they are representing and there are even advertisements shown on televisions throughout the schools. Direct advertisement is approved through the school board and in return the schools receive a cash compensation for displaying the ads. Commercialism in schools is often strongly opposed by parents and the community. One quote by a parent states that "schools should be all about teaching students to make their own choices, not coercing them to buy things they don't need. Schools should not be selling my child as a consumer to corporations." In several cases, these parents do have a point. Schools should not attempt to persuade students into consuming their products, especially considering most products that are being endorsed are unhealthy and un-necessary for the students to obtain.

Coca-Cola is one of the top sponsors of sports and its rationale for sporting events is "a natural fit." One of the sponsorship objectives for Coca-Cola is to connect with teens in an interesting and fun way, to create unforgettable teen moments linked to 'Coca-Cola', to ensure 'Coca-Cola' is viewed as making everyday life more interesting and fun, and to be seen as a national sponsor at a local level and globe sponsor on an international level. Coke is promoted through athletics for various reasons. Students, athletes, and fans all watch the contests and are constantly reminded of the coke product through their endorsements on the scoreboard, the products sold at concession stands, and the label on the programs. They are easily reminded of brand name soda, Coca-Cola due to their extreme advertisements. At athletic events I believe corporate sponsorship should be allowed because it brings in a lot of money to the school district and the program. There is nothing wrong with sponsoring products at athletic events because it brings the community together and does not distract the students form their daily work. During the school day I do not think that products should be sponsored because it sometimes does act as a distraction. Also, products such as Coca-Cola is extremely unhealthy for students to consume and can hinder their cognitive performance. Products such as soda, Doritos, McDonalds, and other types of unhealthy sources should not be sponsored and allowed the opportunity to endorse. 

The main benefits that come from corporate sponsorships is the money they give back to the school district. Through the money given for advertisements allows for schools to fund various programs such as athletics, music, drama, and art shows. Corporate sponsorship gives back to the community in order for the school district to be successful, resulting in the business succeeding. Overall the continuum is an ongoing cycle benefiting everyone which is most important for the outcome. Relationships amongst the school district and businesses are held in order and everyone receives the most out of the trade. I believe that corporate sponsorships should be allowed to endorse their products because they are not hurting anyone or hindering education and learning from occurring. Corporate sponsorships are major sources and they bring character to the community and what it encompasses.

Common Core

The common core is a set of educational standards placed in order for teachers to ensure that their students have the proper skills and knowledge needed to achieve success. They are clear goals implemented to guarantee that all students, no matter where they are from or live, are equipped for success in postsecondary education and the workforce. The common core standards will ensure that all students are receiving the proper high quality education in which they deserve consistently no matter what school or state they are in. 

The common core educational standards were created for teachers to be on the same page and aware of the knowledge and skills the students should obtain through their educational journey. They are also used to enforce teachers to create the best lessons and build the best environment for learning throughout their classroom. The common core was also created to help students and parents understand the clear goals that were instructed for realistic success and achievement. The standards applied are the first step towards providing teachers, students, and parents with a roadmap for future academic success. 

The common core originated to establish a clarified set of educational standards for English language arts and mathematics to be shared amongst various states and school districts. These standards have been designed by teachers, parents, and school administrators using the best evidence of academic success in hopes to create a program that will aspire students. The common core also dictates the academic level that students should have obtained when they graduate high school in order to prepare for college or the workforce. The standards were implemented in order to ensure that every child across the country was given an equal opportunity to succeed. Although the common core surfaced to reach the highest achievement level for students, the standards cannot enhance the quality of the nation’s educational system immediately. Instead the standards act as a guideline for educators to share goals and expectations for their students amongst one another. The common core standards created will permit participating states from all over the country to work together to identify the expectations that are necessary. For one, the goals for students will be clear to the parents, teachers, and the general public continuously. The standards also state that the development of textbooks, digital media, and other materials necessary by the teacher will be highly encouraged. The development of comprehensive assessments to measure the students’ performance against the common core state standards will be implemented in order to replace existing styles of testing. Testing styles are often inconsistent, burdensome, and confusing at times, which is why the common core standards are pushing for new techniques to assess students.

The common core state standards are being sponsored by parents, teachers, school administrators, experts, and state leaders across the country through their membership in the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) as well as the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center). The CCSSO and the NGA Center have provided the public with time periods in order for everyone to comment and submit feedback on the standards that were drafted. The comments and feedback will be incorporated into the final standards, in order for everyone to have their own say and voice heard. In order to ensure that the process of creating these standards is open, comprehensive, and demanding, there are several committees that have dedicated their time and help. These committees include the Standards Development Work Group, which is responsible for determining and writing the common core state standards, the Feedback group, which provides information that is supported by research to notify the standards development process through offering expert input on draft documents, and lastly, the Validation Committee, which reviews the common core state standards to ensure that they have meet the development criteria. 

Through the use of the common core, the standards will tremendously impact teachers in numerous ways. First, the standards will dictate their style of teaching in order to ensure that they are preparing their students for success whether it be in college or the workforce. Due to this standard, teachers will have to be creative and develop effective strategies for their students in order to touch upon the benchmarks marked for them. The common core will also help colleges and professional development programs prepare teachers for the changes in the standards. 

Emma Hart Willard

Emma Hart Willard was born on February 23, 1887, in Berlin Connecticut. Emma Hart Willard was an American Women's Rights activist who dedicated her life to education. Willard wrote and voiced her views and opinions on opening higher education to women. With the original support from Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Monroe, Willard eventually gained enough support from other people within the community to commence an academy for women. Willard opened Troy Female Seminary, which was an institution dedicated towards preparing professional teachers. This institution provided teacher education programs with experience and training years before the first normal teacher training school was founded. Emma Hart Willard also began to write textbooks on how to teach and how to teach more humanely compared to the stile of teaching that was occurring at the time. 


The curriculum at the Troy Female Seminary consisted of subjects that Emma Hart Willard most desired to include in women's education such as mathematics, philosophy, geography, history, and science. Her success led to an enrollment of over 300 students, attracting students from extremely wealthy families and families that were of high position. Although the women that came out of the Troy Female Seminary mostly continued to marry into a housewife position,  Emma Hart Willard still fought for women's rights and never hindered her student's pursuit towards women's education. 

Coaching Philosophy

Coaching is my opportunity to inspire and motivate young athletes throughout many aspects of life. Athletics does not only entail specific skill work and competition, it also teaches teamwork, responsibility, communication, and respect for one another. These are just a few qualities and characteristics that are learned through athletics and that can be incorporated into a classroom setting as well. Through coaching I am given the opportunity to share my knowledge and experiences in the world of athletics amongst others. I believe that as a coach it is essential to promote team cohesiveness and to overall create a positive environment for my players and team.

There are numerous aspects of athletics that I value, however; they are dependent upon the age level as well as the skill level. As a coach, I believe that younger athletes around the ages of elementary school should focus on having fun and the creating an overall enthusiastic learning experience. At the early stages it is critical for young athletes to develop their skills and be involved as much as possible, which is why i believe equal playing time is necessary amongst young student athletes. However, when coaching a varsity program, I will focus more on skill development, social interaction, and winning in order for my players to be successful. As a coach, I will continue to emphasize three components amongst my team, including, character, civility, and citizenship. I believe student athletes should contain character and continue to be accountable, responsible, and dedicated to the program. They should also encompass civility, that way they consistently demonstrate respect and fairness to their teammates, myself as the coach, and themselves as well. The last component I will stress as a coach is citizenship, which I will promote through the values of teamwork, cooperation, and leadership. These three components will be the basis to our athletic program and will teach the students athletes more to life than just sports skills. 

As a coach, I will always be a positive role model to my athletes and the community. There is more to coaching then just teaching the basic fundamental skills, instead it is a coach’s responsibility to lead by example and demonstrate leadership at all times. Respect will be a huge factor to the success of my programs. Without respect from the athletes, parents, and community, it will be very hard to implement my knowledge and experiences accurately and efficiently. Forming relationships is also a tremendous part of coaching. Through the experience there will be many people who will help you along the way, including parents, athletic secretaries, the community, and most importantly, your players. Forming those strong relationships from the very beginning will have an incredible effect on the athletic programs instantly. 

As an athlete, I have realized that there are several different values and opinions when it comes to coaching. My dad has been an extremely successful coach for years and growing up he taught me the importance of dedication, commitment, and most importantly making connections with the players. Another coach and role model who I have looked up to has been my college lacrosse coach here at SUNY Cortland. She has shown me the true meaning of going the extra mile and doing whatever it takes to be successful. Through my father and my coach’s success as well as their mistakes, I will take in my experiences working with them and incorporate my own viewpoints and philosophies as a coach into them. One of the best pieces of advice I have received from them is to never be predictable, always change up your methods of teaching, continue to look for better answers and approaches, and always remember to take in the moment’s one at a time. 

Teaching Philosophy

"Ideal teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross, then having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create bridges of their own" (Nikos Kazantzakis). As a teacher, I believe that it is our responsibility to guide our students in the right direction and inspire them to create their own path. Where that path takes them, is their own decision and fate, however; our role is to prepare them for what may come. Education is a door open to endless possibilities and as a teacher I believe it is my job to share these possibilities with my students in the best ways that I can. Through the help of the other staff members, the school, and the community, our job as educators is to work together to provide our students with a positive learning environment in order to prepare them for the real world. 

School is viewed as a sense of unity and a place where people come together to learn, share ideas, and inspire from within. To some, a school is a safe ground and a welcoming environment where students can be themselves and feel comfortable without judgment. School is where students join together, create every lasting memories, and grow as individuals. As a teacher, experiencing a student's growth and success is extremely rewarding and motivating knowing you have made an impact. In my classroom, I will educate and drive my students to be unique, to be responsible, and to be avid learners at all times. I believe that these qualities are essential for student growth and future development. As a community, education will be promoted continuously and I will do my best to prepare my students for the future. 

School leaders are professionals that work together to find the best possible resources for their students, making them their main focus. A leader consistently has the student’s best interest in mind and will sacrifice "the me for the we" at any given time. Students need someone who they can look up to as a positive role model which is why school leaders are vital in every school setting. A school leader is approachable, understandable, and accommodating to students in need of advice and guidance. As a teacher, I will understand the diversity among the students and will work together with my staff members to create a warm and inviting environment within the school and community. 

Students frequently learn through their own curiosity and experiences. I believe that students should be given opportunities to explore their interests and discover on their own what they are passionate about in life. Through the school's curriculum, students can explore various settings and obtain deeper knowledge based upon the subjects and sections that captivate them the most. I believe that it is a teacher’s responsibility to teach their lessons in numerous styles in order to adequately reach out to every student. Teachers need to guide their students more often and drive them to their own success by just believing in them and giving them that initial drive. 

As a community, it is extremely important for the teachers, parents, and other members to join forces and work together. When everyone is behind the students best interest that is when the school is the most effective and successful. Parents must continuously be aware of their child's achievements and progress in order to support the teachers and what they are doing in the classroom. Through simple notices or memos, any sort of communication is essential towards the effective learning process. Parents have a significant impact on their child's life and with their support and influence; I truly believe that any student can achieve greatness. 

As a teacher, I believe that students learn through their own mistakes, their own experiences, and through their own success. There is only so much a teacher can do before the students must take it upon themselves to make the right decisions and become aware of their own potential. Through the countless lessons taught and the advice given, teachers can only hope that their students believe in themselves as much as we believe in them. Knowledge is power and it derives from various physical, emotional, and social occurrences that any student may experience. As an educator, I will do my best to teach my students push them into believing that anything is possible at any given time.

Promoting Educational Performance

There has been much talk about how educational performance can be improved through nutrition, however; there has been no action in the matter. The most critical times for a child to develop mentally, physically, and emotionally is during the first years of life, as well as when they are in the womb. Although the first three years are known as the most critical times, growth failure still happens to occur most frequently between 6 and 24 months of a child's life.  We are aware of this crucial time period, yet we are still allowing growth failure to occur due to malnutrition and poor physical conditions. Knowing these problems we are already a step ahead of the game, though there needs to be preventative programs instated and nutrition needs to accorded as more of a high priority. 

Childbirth is clearly a unique experience for all, especially the mother and the infant. Health, family planning, and nutrition programs are essential elements for the best overall physical and mental conditions and experience for the mother and the infant. During pregnancy, nutrition is just as important as the after birth. Parents need to become more educated in the areas that will continue to effect the rest of their lives such as growth promotion, development programs, integrated childhood programs, and parent education are just a few critical sources to name. I believe that if everyone, especially parents of new born infants are more educated on the subject matter of nutrition, then growth and development amongst children will significantly positively increase. Nutrition as we know it has a tremendous influence on academics and educational performance, so why not do what we can to benefit the lives of our futures leaders. 


Resource: http://www.unscn.org/files/Publications/Briefs_on_Nutrition/Brief2_EN.pdf

Height and Earnings

Evidence shows that nutrition affects school performance indirectly for various reasons.  Children who are undernourished, meaning that they have a low height for their age,  tend to be enrolled in school later than well-nourished children generally are. One could simply argue that this is because they want their child to be one of the eldest in class rather then the youngest. Though another reason behind this decision is be because parents frequently deem shorter children to be younger. This case is more common then one would believe to be, however; majority of time bystanders would deem a shorter child or person to be a few years younger then their actually age. Most people would admit this to be true because they instantly see someone who is short as too tiny and small rather then their actual age. Children who are physically large enough to attend school are generally seen as too old for their class. The size, height, oh physical qualities of children do not determine their age or class at all times. Most stereotypes regarding physical appearance and age are often incorrect in fact. 


Parents believe they are doing their children justice by enrolling them into school late if they have not yet reached the specific growth mark they were hoping for. Though in reality, they should enroll their children when they are on track to because there has been evidence showing problems of intellectual impairment caused by nutritional deficits. "There is ample evidence showing that increased height, working both through physical capacity and through learning capacity and school performance, results in increased adult wages and productivity." Analysis have found that an increase in birth weight of one pound allows for the child to increase 7% of their lifetime earnings. There was also a study completed in Brazil finding that 1% of increased height can lead to a 2.4% increase in the earnings of an adult male. Clearly there seems to be a commonality amongst height and earnings, especially for men. The common judgement that height gains power seems to be deemed somewhat true in this case. 


Resource: http://www.unscn.org/files/Publications/Briefs_on_Nutrition/Brief2_EN.pdf

Good Nutrition Essential For Learning

Intellectual power is one of the greatest resources anyone could have. In our world today, intellectual resources continue to overpower physical resources in the determination of national power. Our nations are continuously compete amongst one another for first step in any new direction or area. In our nation, 20-50% of the population is intellectually compromised which shows our need to implement a better quality of life and health plan amongst our country. 

Nutrition is known to be directly related to intellectual and educational power through evidence and results. Worldwide, an estimated 1.6 billion people are iodine deficient, which has been associated with an average 13.5 point reduction in IQ for a population. This statistic illustrates the reduced cognitive functions in a school setting amongst children who obtain the deficiency. Another health defect that negatively effects cognitive performance settles with infants who are born at low birth weight. During infancy cognitive performance is extremely effected due to low birth weight, though it also is due to malnutrition within the infants. Low birth weight has been known to be associated with poor attention span in school, effecting seventeen percent of our population. These two deficiencies are unfortunate cases that we cannot have control over, however; there are other reasons for poor cognitive performance that we can have control of. Children to go to school without eating breakfast have found to decrease their performance during the regular school day by around 0.1 standard deviations. This statistic does not effect students who normally eat breakfast everyday and only skip one meal. Instead these results generate from those students who are typically malnourished as well as those who are from more unfortunate backgrounds. 

Resource: http://www.unscn.org/files/Publications/Briefs_on_Nutrition/Brief2_EN.pdf

NCAA Week

This week at SUNY Cortland has been dedicated to recognize the NCAA Division III Athletic programs and their tremendous success. Here at Cortland our athletic programs run a lot different compared to most typical Division III schools. As we all know, the coaches run and work their athletic teams just has often and hard as a typical Division I school would. Our facilities and beautiful stadium is nicer then a majority of Division I schools in the nation. For a Division III school we have the most support and commitment from our professors and faculty compared to many other Division I schools. At my lacrosse games I see numerous professors coming to cheer on the students they have in class time after time. We also have numerous staff members here at Cortland who are always willing to go that extra mile, which is why SUNY Cortland Athletic's are always at the highest level compared to other schools. We do not always take the time to acknowledge and thank those faculty members who have made our program as successful as it is. Today at the Women's Softball game, the athletes of SUNY Cortland recognized several names of those people who are constantly putting the efforts and commitment into making our program a success. We wanted to thank all the professors, Dan who announces at every home game, Pardge who helps keep us looking sharp for game days, President Bitterbaum for being in attendance at every home game, and several other people for their consistent help towards making Cortland the best school to be at, play for, and represent. Being a part of this appreciation day has been rewarding and a great experience.

Activity for the Day

Today has been a crazy physically active day for myself. Starting off with lacrosse practice we ran two and a half miles within the first few minutes. Coach had us sprint a 400, 800, 1200, 800, and another 400 just for warm ups. Her motive behind this craziness was to retouch upon all the hard work and running we completed through out season. Since our next game is not until Sunday, she felt the need to run us into the grounds a little more then the usual. After the warm up we completed our shuttles to warm up our sticks and then moved on to a full field high intensity drill that works on our transition in the game. We continued to run the length of the field over and over and over again after completing the three man weave, a 3v3 fast paced drill practicing moving the ball up the field, and a half field clearing drill for our goalies to work on their saves and clears. We then moved on to working on the draws, which are a key component to the game of lacrosse. Coach also had us working on our offensive stall if we are ever up in a game by two goals or more, that way the defense can practice putting pressure on the ball and the attack can get comfortable with the pressure being put on them in the last few crucial moments of the game. Generally lacrosse players run up to 5.2 miles per day; in today's case if you told me 10 miles I wouldn't be the least bit surprised. Perhaps I am exaggerated a little, however; we did get a great work out in! Though to our surprise that was not the end of the day. We then lifted together as a team for 45 minutes and cranked in a great strength and core exercise into our routine. We are hoping to come out of this week faster, stronger, and more physically fit, that way we can knock out our opponents with our speed and strength. We will see how the results prove to be on Saturday's Senior Day matchup against New Paltz.

Healthy Choices

The holidays are always a fun time spent with families, friends, and a lot of food. Generally the holidays bring together all the loved ones together to celebrate the good times over a grand meal and delicious desserts. Today numerous people celebrated Easter as well as life in general on this beautiful sunny day. Easter is known for the large amounts of candy, treats, and food in store for children of all ages, even the adults! Eggs were hidden in the back yards filled with jelly beans, M&M's, reeses, snickers, and chocolate eggs all over the world today. The amount of candy that was produced to celebrate this holiday must have been massive. One of the world's biggest problems today, especially in the United States is the rate of obesity amongst the population. Day's like today prove why people in the United States are so overweight due to the amount of candy and junk food they intake whether it is on a holiday or on a daily basis. Rather then fill your children's easter baskets with giant chocolate bunnies, giant gummy bears, marshmallow peeps, and bags of jelly beans, why not try something different, something more healthy? There are several options that parents can use to fill their children's easter baskets such as granola bars, fruit snacks, and toys intend of giving into their sugar intake. To help lower the huge obesity problems we have in this country we should be promoting healthier snack items rather then indulging in a giants snickers bar. Simple steps such as filling easter baskets with healthier snacks will make a tremendous different on a child's life.

Diet and Cognition

Diet can influence cognition and behavior in numerous ways. Diet issues including not enough food and insufficient intake of specific nutrients are just a few to name that effect brain cognition and behavior. An insufficient supply of foods has been found to influence brain neurochemistry and the development of the nervous system. The brain needs nourishments to continue to function and to maintain its strengths. Unfortunately there are some children and families that do not receive a sufficient food supply daily, causing them to be more likely to be prone to health issues, psychosocial behavior, and academic learning.  According to the Third Nutrition Examination Survey, in the United State there is a little over four precent of people in the population who suffer from insufficient food problems. Another issue that is common amongst cognition and behavior is insufficient nutrients. The amount of calories one intakes is not always the cause and effect of learning and behavior. Malnutrition is a huge part of the insufficient nutrients problems and can lead towards changes in brain neural-receptor functions as well as functions that are closely related to emotional responses to stressful events. Infants have been tested and proven that a deficiency in the intake of particular nutrients such as iron, zinc, and long chain fatty acids have been associated with lower performance on cognitive tests. I can be a prime example for this test as well, because I know that when I do not eat a proper meal or if I start to eat fast food and junk food, my entire body feels off set and I am much more lethargic then usual. In class I will not be able to stay awake the entire time and I will have trouble paying attention if I am malnourished or lacking sufficient supplies of nutrients. 

Resource: http://www.childrensdisabilities.info/allergies/dietlearningbehavior1.html

Nutrition Education Programs and Related Initiatives

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and the Team Nutrition Initiative are programs that focus on promoting the value of nutrition and education amongst students, teachers, and the community. The EFNEP and Team Nutrition Initiative support and promote eating healthy and they both work to ensure that the food resources within a household or organization are being utilized correctly and to their full potential. The EFNEP and Team Nutrition Initiative both play a tremendous role trying to shape the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of children and adolescents throughout the communities. They both aim their efforts towards the children, adolescents, families, as well as teachers, school foodservice's, and members of the community who claim guardianship over children. Both organizations want to make sure that they are shaping every member of the community and teaching them the values of food and the environment in which children and adolescents live and learn in.

There are some people who claim that they cannot eat healthy and live a nutritious lifestyle because they do not have enough money to afford the products. The EFNEP steps up at this point and provides individuals and families with a low income education and training sessions to assist and improve their nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. The EFNEP effectively steers families with a low income in the right direction towards a healthy nutritious lifestyle through their designed skill-based and interactive activities that teach them the value of nutrition. In 1995, the USDA launched a program known as Team Nutrition to restore child nutrition programs and to assist schools within the community that are promoting the nutritional healthy of children through their education curriculum. Team Nutrition creates available training and technical assistance for school foodservice's that are in need of lessons and information to provide their children with healthy food choices.

Resource: 
"Position of the American Dietetic Association: Child and Adolescent Nutrition Assistance Programs" , Nutrition Education Programs and Related Initiatives. Journal of American Dietetic Association

National School Lunch Program

The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program that runs through over 101,000 public and non-profit private schools as well as residential child care services. In 2010, the NSLP provided more than 31 million children with a nutritionally balanced low-cost or free lunch at school each day.  The schools that decide to take part in the NSLP receive cash subsidies as well as USDA foods front eh U.S. Department of Agriculture to create healthier meals to serve the children. In order to meet the requirements, those schools participating must serve lunches that meet the Federal standards and they also must offer free or reduced priced lunches to those students who are eligible of obtaining them. The nutritional requirements for school lunches must meet the applicable recommendations stated by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. There recommendations state that no more than 30 percent of an individual's calories can should come from fat and less than 10 percent of the calories should come saturated fat. The regulations also state school lunches must provide the students with one third of the recommended Dietary Allowances which includes protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, calcium, and specific calories. The school food authorities are allowed to prepare and provide the students with whatever meals they wish as long as the follow and complete the standards and regulations. If we could get more schools to hop on the band wagon and participate in this healthy school lunch program obesity rates would tremendously decrease and academic performance in schools would increase and sky rocket towards success.

Resource: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/lunch/AboutLunch/NSLPFactSheet.pdf

The Healthy Schools Program

What would you rather? 

All across the country there is a huge concern regarding student performance and health. "The Healthy Schools Program" implemented a program to be incorporated throughout public and private schools in America. This program is being used to promote healthier choices and to create an overall healthier school environment for the students. The purpose of The Healthy Schools Program is too exam schools policies, meal plans, health education, and school programs and make them more effective. There already have been several schools in the country that have banned fast food, french fries, and chemically processed foods from their cafeteria menu's. Instead of the unhealthy foods that are known to cause laziness, behavior problems, and poor performance levels amongst students, schools are trying to incorporate a new food program to promote the healthier choices students can turn too. School's are starting to serve whole-grain breads, fruits, vegetables, salads, and lean proteins because these natural and un-processed foods have proven to provide students with more energy, the ability to stay more focused and less lethargic. This Healthier Schools Program began in 1997 and since then, the "Healthy Schools" across the country have reported a significant amount of lower incidences of high school dropouts, expulsions, drug use, weapons and fighting, amongst their students. They have also reported a significant increase in student performance indicating their overall grades have improved tremendously.  This program is a work in progress and they are trying to spread their research and wisdom to every school district. We know from consistent research that the food students intake daily has a tremendous effect on students overall performance and behavior, therefore every school in the country should be buying into The Healthy Schools Program. To improve this problem we need the support and dedication to spread this philosophy across the country rapidly and promote the importance of healthier choices in schools. This will help us to create a better country, healthier children, and make smarter decisions for our futures. 

Resource: http://www.publicschoolreview.com/articles/28

Malnutrition

In today's world it is estimated that every one out of three kids are overweight. Overweight kids are obviously malnourished, however; in America kids who are extremely underweight are considered malnourished as well. Kids are lacking the proper food intake that they are supposed to be consuming. Malnutrition and malnourishment does not imply that there kids are lacking food, instead malnutrition is a representation of a lack of nutrients and healthy choice foods. 

Majority of children in America consume an enormous amount of calories, however; they are lacking the essential vitamins, nutrients, and minerals that are necessary for the body. Vitamins are a tremendous part of nutrition because they maintain body regulation and a lack of vitamins can lead to significant side-effects, according to Mary Gavin, and expert from the Nemours Foundation. It is known that children who maintain insufficient diets are more susceptible to healthy problems, academic learning, and psychosocial behavior. Knowing these tremendous effects it is still hard to believe that there are so many malnourished children in our country and that we are doing little to prevent this. I have been observing several physical education classes over my years of experience as a teacher candidate and I have noticed a large number of obese and over weight students all over New York State. Lacking vitamins and nutrition is detrimental to healthy clearly, therefore we should be doing more to create awareness and to promote proper healthy more throughout the education system. 

Not only is malnutrition detrimental towards a child's health problems, academic learning, and psychosocial behavior, it  can also result in long-term neural issues occurring in the brain. These issues can have a huge impact on children's emotional responses, reaction to stress, learning disabilities, and various other medical issues. "In one study, researchers Margaret Lahey and Shari Rosen discovered that,  'Malnourished children […] were found to have delays in vision, fine motors skills, language skills and personal-social skills.' " Researchers have also determined that 1/3 of surveyed children reported to be effected by poor food habits, chronic illnesses, and lower school achievements. These results clearly indicate that there is a direct result between nutrition and how it is effecting students daily lives and academic performances. Food is easily available for students whether it is in the cafeteria, the vending machines, or fast food. These food resources are detrimental to our students and they are impacting them in the most negative ways. Regarding cafeteria food, I do not understand how schools who claim to promote the values of education and the importance of the students are still feeding the students grease and fatty fried foods. School districts need to step up in their meal plans and parents needs to stop feeding their children fast food because it is fast and easy.

Resource: http://www.publicschoolreview.com/articles/28

Glucose Effects

Saturated fats and brain power have a direct link due to the effects of glucose and sugars in higher-fat foods. Glucose generally comes from carbohydrates, and although glucose and carbohydrates are essential for energy, it has been found that foods that are extremely high in glucose have a huge effect on the body's energy levels causing it to severely drop. People of all ages, adults and children are experiencing post-food crashes which occurs when the glucose intake is too high causing the body to shut down throughout the processes of breaking down the foods. Post-food crashes are direct results of the people's daily diets and food intake. In school cafeteria's children generally consume white breads, fried foods, sugary sweets, and sodas. These so called meals are the main cause of the tremendous drop in energy which has been proven to decrease the students ability to focus and their mental performance. There needs to be a change in the school cafeteria throughout the United States. School's need to add into their budget a plan to sell only healthy and smart food choices to their students. There are also other ways that school districts can help their students eliminate sugary food items, starting with clearing out the vending machines with sodas and candy. Instead the vending machines should consist of healthier choices such as water, vitamin water, gatorade, and juices, as well as other snacks such as pretzels, wheat thins, or nutrigrain bars. This is just the first step towards creating a healthier environment inside the school, which will hopefully, eventually proceed outside in the children's homes and daily routines as well. 

http://www.publicschoolreview.com/articles/28

School Cafeteria

Food take is vital for several reasons, such as to maintain a healthy lifestyle, to create energy, and for proper performance, just to name a few. Considering food is such an essential part of a child's diet, it still surprises me that cafeteria's are continuing to serve items on the menu that are filled with sugars, caffeine, chemicals, and sodium. Through researcher, it is known that these particular items are an unhealthy choice and will lead children towards becoming tired, unfocused, sick, and jittery throughout the day. One of my worst memories from public school was the food that they sold and provided us with. Everyday at lunch I was forced to eat unhealthy due to their lack of choices and their bad tastes. Food is essential for any growing child, which is why unhealthy foods can negatively impact students' grades, performance, their behavior, and their moods. According to the article "How Diet and Nutrition Impact a Child's Learning Ability", the "Society for Neuroscience, recent studies reveal that diets with high levels of saturated fats actually impair learning and memory."  Typically what would you expect to find in a school cafeteria? Pizza, hamburgers, french fries, chicken nuggets, tacos, these are all guesses that immediately come to my head, especially considering that they are what I was served throughout school. Cookies, pretzels, and ice-cream, these are all sugary desserts that are filling kids daily intakes and that are knowingly lowering the students brain power before they are sent back to class to continue their day's work. Teachers are constantly complaining about the students lack of attention, their behavior issues, their lack of determination and motivation to complete their work. After reading through these few facts, maybe it isn't the students fault after all. Could it be that the school cafeteria is actually what is hindering our students learning abilities? 

Cortaca

The Cortland versus Ithaca rivalry continued yesterday in a huge match up between the two women's lacrosse teams. The Red Dragons hosted the Bombers and dominated them with a 17-6 win. Going into this game, we were very confident that we would be able to take care of this game and come out with the win, however; being that it was Ithaca, we new that this game would be challenging due to the rivalry. The Cortland Ithaca rivalry was introduced in 1959 by the captains of the two football teams. The Cortaca Jug was invented when Tom Decker, the captain of the Cortland football team in 1959 stopped at a yard sale and purchased a jug from a local farmer. Decker thought that the jug would be a great trophy for the annual games between the two teams. Decker met up with his friend, Dick Carmean, the captain of the Ithaca football team to paint the jug blue, gold, red, and white, in honor of both the schools colors. After each game the teams would write the scores onto the jug to showcase the annual celebrations of Cortland and Ithaca. The Cortland Ithaca football game is one of the most well known sporting events nationwide. Sports Illustrated titled the game "the biggest little game in the nation." The Cortland Ithaca rivalry still continues today and is encouraged through every sport, not just football. Every time the two teams go against one another in a sporting event, there is always a huge competition and battle till the end. 

Generating Philosophy Perspectives

When it comes to education, I am a strong believer that physical activity and nutrition play a major role in a persons success and achievement. I believe that physical activity and nutrition are tremendous factors that influence cognitive learning in a school setting and that they have an extreme positive effect. For my research I am going to try and find sources to back up my belief that way I can share with others my own philosophy that I stand by. Physical activity and nutrition are essential factors in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These factors also influence a persons daily lifestyle in several ways. For example, a physically fit person is obviously very active and   focused on generating positive energy for themselves. Generally someone who is physically fit is not the lazy type, instead they are determined and motivated. Physical activity goes hand in hand with education because those same people are determined and motivated to study and do well in school, in most cases. I believe that working out keeps the brian in tact, working well, and refreshes the mind in a positive way. Throughout my research I hope to find articles to back up my statements and show that physical activity has a strong correlation with cognitive learning. I also wish to find more research based upon the effects of good nutrition and education. What we put into our bodies does not only have a effect on our body image. The food we consume effects our body, our mind, and our physical well being. I believe that people who eat fast food frequently are effected by the oil, grease, and salt in various ways. Those who eat healthier are effected in a positive and healthy way created through good nutrition. These factors are all general points and areas that I look forward to researching more and finding out the basis of my beliefs to create my own philosophy in the future. 

Dergin Tokmak

After seeing the video that is at the bottom of this page, I was completely amazed at what I saw. I could not believe the talent and skill that one man could have performing on crutches. I was simply blown away by his ability to move that efficiently to the rhythm, his strength to carry and support himself, and his determination to never give up. Dergin Tokmak a dancer and acrobat has opened my eyes to endless possibilities, giving myself a whole new perspective on life. Tokmak contracted polio when he was just one year old. Poliomyelitis is a virus that attacks the nerves that control your muscles. Tokmak lost all control of his left leg and he lost some control of his right leg.   Dergin Tokmak underwent several treatments to restore his legs, however; when nothing worked and when all else would probably quit and give up, Dergin learned to walk on his hands instead. At twelve years old, Dergin was inspired by the movie "Breakin" at the part when one of the characters Eddie, "Handyman" Rodriguez, who had no use of his legs whatsoever performed an incredible break dance routine. Dergin was immediately inspired and began to study break dancing and hip hop in youth clubs and dance studios. Degrin Tokmak became incredibly successful and never doubted himself for one second that he would not be able to walk again. He received the "Limping Angel" told in Cirque du Soleil's show and became a worldwide hit. Dergin Tokmak's youtube videos have inspired myself and showed me how anything is possible and that greatness can be achieved. Anyone is capable of anything as long as they put their heart and mind into it. Wise words from Dergin Tokmak, "I want to pass on to the next generation ... so people can see that no handicap is too big or too limiting to dance. My message as an artist is to show the world that there is a creative soul in everyone with or without a handicap." A handicap should not be looked at as an ending path, however; it should be looked up as merely a speed bump in the road. 

Nutrition Prior to a Game

Proper nutrition should be a part of an athletes every training guide and routine. Athletes need to be more aware of nutrition the effects of how eating healthy can enhance and improve performance. As a coach, teaching your athletes about good nutrition is just as important as teaching them fundamental skills and having a game plan to succeed. Coaches frequently overlook the value of nutrition and focus on the game, thinking that is there best route to success. Little do they know that success is stimulated and derived from good nutrition and how athletes take care of their bodies. Knowing how much to feed athletes, what to feed them, and when to feed them is extremely important. Especially in the college setting, the timing of when to eat and what to eat can be crucial or detrimental to performance. Before any game my coach enforces us to eat exactly four hours prior, a healthy meal such as a turkey sandwich, a granola bar, and water or gatorade. Her philosophy is that four hours prior to a game is enough time for the body to break down the food, store it as energy, and that it will be enough time to prevent food cramps or fullness. She has bought into the four hour prior to a game system and so have we as her athletes. We trust our coach and value the intelligent directions she leads us in. Healthy high carbohydrate snacks for athletes are a great source of energy. These snacks include whole-grain cereal with low-fat milk, low-fat fruit flavored yogurt, peanut butter on whole wheat toast and half an apple, graham crackers, animal crackers, and an low-fat pudding bagel. These small snacks are just a short list of healthy go to snacks for athletes of all ages. 

Tebow to the Jets

Tim Tebow, a Florida Gators football legend broke the news today that he will be playing for the New York Jets this upcoming season. Tebow joined the trading market on Monday when his former team, the Denver Broncos, secured free agent Peyton Manning to a five year $96 million contract. What will be the most interesting this upcoming NFL season will be to see the relationship between Mark Sanchez, the returning starting quarterback and Tebow. Who will start? Who will take the Jets to a possible Super Bowl Championship this year? Tebow's contract with the Jets will be a challenge of the best quarterback and it could potentially commence a quarterback controversy between the two all stars. For the Jets, cornerback Antonio Cromartie tweeted before the trade, "we don't need Tebow." Cromartie expressed his belief in Sanchez returning to the lineup and his confidence in the team that he already had before Tebow's trade. How will the Jets adjust to a new quarterback? These are all questions that are flying through players, coaches, and fans heads as they try to wrap around the endless possibilities. The Jets are looking to become a stronger power house as the used to be, therefore they are looking for answers and for fresh new talent. Will the Jets be the "it" this year? We will have to wait and find out. 

p.s. GO GIANTS!!!

Cortland Beats Rival TCNJ!

Saturday was a day for many celebrations in Cortland, NY. St. Patrick's Day was celebrated by the irish and those who wish they were irish for the day and the Cortland varsity women's lacrosse team celebrated their victorious home opener versus all time rival, The College Of New Jersey. Every year we battle against TCNJ for the opportunity to have bragging rights all over again. The trend seems to be the home team takes the win, for my freshman year we won at home, last year my sophomore year we lost away, and this year my junior year, we sealed the win on our own home turf. TCNJ was ranked number 2 going into the match and we were ranked number 4. Being the underdog and beating a team with a higher rank, especially our rival team, was one of the greatest feelings. We have worked so hard for two and a half months straight, practicing 6 days a week, lifting all the time, and conditioning for unlimited hours. It was great to know that all our hard work paid off on Saturday. Our win against TCNJ did not come from a signal person or play, it was an all around team win that was achieved through greatness. Our team has great potential this year and I invite everyone to come to our home game tomorrow on the stadium versus St. Lawrence. I assure you the lady red dragons will not let you down!

Midway 355 Observations

This past week has marked the midway point for my 355 observations at Parker Elementary School in Cortland NY. I have observed nine hours of elementary physical education over a course of time and I already have learned so much about physical education in the elementary years. I have never really worked with younger students for a long period of time, which was why I was nervous in the beginning. I did not know how I was going to be successful connecting with students that were so young and dependent upon what I was teaching them. I quickly learned that there was nothing to be nervous about and that if I was just simply myself and taught my style of physical education, then I would be successful. Immediately I was able to connect with the students and asses their skill levels. I became aware of their strengths as well as their weaknesses and I got to know the students on an individual basis. There are several students that are much more gifted in the skill department compared to others, however their is much to still be learned. I also learned several lessons on how to maintain behavior and how to control situation when a student becomes out of control. My host teacher has been a great example and mentor so far and I look forward to spending the next few weeks with him. Learning from great teachers really does make a difference and impact my outlook on the type of teacher that I hope to become in the future.

Working out and Working in School

Back to school, spring break is over, and it is crunch time trying to compete all the assignments, papers, and projects that are due over the next few weeks. With only about a month and a half left of school, it is easy to stress out over final exams and projects, though there are also several methods that can be used to relieve that stress. Working out and exercising is a great way to relieve any built up stress and it is also a way to prevent stress from occurring. Being active and living a healthy life style is extremely beneficial for the mind and body. When you are over tired, stressed out and feel as if you are never going to finish anything, sometimes working out for 30 minutes will produce the energy you need to get through the day. Taking time out your everyday routine to add in physical activity is extremely important and will help you improve throughout your daily work and assignments. Now that the weather is getting warmer and the sun is out more there are various activities that can anyone can do to stay active. For one thing, going for a run around campus is a great way to get outside and smell the fresh air. Also, anyone can get a group of people together and play games on Davis field such as football, soccer, lacrosse, ultimate frisbee, or any other game that is interesting to you. The spring semester is always my favorite because I remain very busy, active, and on top of my school work throughout the entire semester due to lacrosse. I am always active, running around in practice and or games through lacrosse which is great workout. Because of lacrosse, I am also always extremely busy staying on top of my school work. I truly believe that success in school does come from responsibility, determination, and hard work, though I do also believe that exercising daily will have a permanent effect on ones work and progress in school as well. 

Cortland Lax Goes to the USNA!

Yesterday, our Cortland Women's Lacrosse team took a trip to Annapolis Maryland and toured the U.S. Naval Academy. Our team has been connected with the Naval Academy as of last fall when one of our teammates brothers, Brendan Looney, was unfortunately killed in a helicopter crash due to unfortunate circumstances. Immediately my team took charge and decided that we were going to dedicate our season to Brendan Looney and play for him as well as the other lives that were taken that day. The Navy has many sayings that they live and stand by. "One Troop" is one of the sayings found on the Navy Seal coin that stood out to us the most. From then on, we knew that was going to be our team motto for the year. One Troop, one team, one heart, one goal, that was our philosophy for last years journey to the final four. We had shirts made to wear in Brendan Looney's honor as we warmed up for every game and him and Kellie, our teammate were always on our mind and in our hearts. Being able to view the campus of the U.S. Naval Academy was a very special privilege for our team, knowing the history that is amongst the campus grounds. Tomorrow night we will be playing Salisbury, a great team that will be a very challenging and exciting game. Tomorrow night is our night and we will fight hard once again in Brendan Looney's honor. 

Photo Credit: (google.com)