Christopher Clark

Knowing Nothing
A Reflection From the Beginning

I was out of breath, in pain, and could barely stand. I had just completed a three-hour test for my 1st degree black belt. My knees wobbled as the test came to a close and wearing my best poker-face to mask the physical and mental stress I was feeling. Two days later when I was awarded the belt, I remember the mixed emotions well; I had never been tested like that before (sparring and working with instructors from other schools and disciplines my head instructor brings in to test his black belts) I felt overwhelmed - I had so much more to learn, so much more to gain from those with the experience and wisdom I knew nothing about. Reflecting on my experience within the program at Michigan State, a familiar feeling of knowing nothing wraps around my mind like a blanket. Ive come to appreciate this feeling as it reveals a desire to be a lifelong learner. When I started the journey of learning in the MAED program at Michigan State University, I had a few simple goals in mind 1. Become versed in literacy instruction so I could offer help to my kids who needed it, much like a lifeguard waits beside the pools edge to jump in for those in need 2. Find the intersection of purposeful technology and classroom learning My goal of literacy instruction has only increased since I have been with the program. I now have much more motivation to continue learning about the best literacy instructional practices in and outside of my classroom due to the significant amount of research-based prose describing the history, importance, and practice of reading and writing for our children. I have been able to question my own practices, asking myself the question why do I do that in almost all areas of my implementation of literacy instruction. The overwhelming feeling I feel in literacy

Christopher Clark

instruction is similar to the black belt test I took almost 8 years gothere is still so much to learn. I always felt more than proficient in technology use but lacking in the proper uses for my students in class. Throughout the journey of earning the graduate degree I have been forced to look beyond being just a user of technology and more of a leader in sourcing the appropriate technology plan for my school, classroom, and kids. Learning the history of how technology in education has been used has greatly impacted the way I view the process of selecting, teaching, and using technology in my classroom. The greatest advantage to technology is its ability to reshape the ay we learn and interact in society. This newfound awareness will allow me to vary instruction for each of my students while supporting my goal of literacy instruction.