Dessica+Westbrook

Hello, everyone! My name is Dessica Westbrook and I am pursuing my Ed.S in Gifted and Creative Education. I received my Bachelor's Degree in English from Brenau University and my Master of Arts in Teaching from Brenau as well. I am entering my fourth year teaching Honors World Literature and 9th grade Literature at Johnson High School in Hall County where I have taught for the duration of my short career! Reading and writing creatively are passions of mine, and I strive to encourage and build that passion in my students. I absolutely love teaching! I am the youth leader at my church and am also a member of the chior. I am interested in anything old...geneology, antiques, bridges, etc. I also love traveling to new places with those I love most: my fiance, family, and friends. Lastly, I love volunteering in areas of need and I love babies! By the way, my name will be changing to Pritchett in November. I'm getting married!

I look forward to learning more about meeting the needs of gifted learners this Fall; I am sure I will build more knowledge on an already strong foundation from last year. I'm excited about learning with you all!

//Ralph Waldo Emerson// [] []
 * Favorite Quote:** To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.
 * //Links for getting to know me://**

Contact Information: email: dessica.westbrook@gmail.com phone: 678-776-4522  begin_of_the_skype_highlighting  678-776-4522  end_of_the_skype_highlighting

My teacher metaphor: Teaching/Learning can me metaphorically described as a game that requires participation from all five players in the educational setting. It is not a sprint, but is a marathon that involves training, endurance, practice, and EFFORT. All players on the team must work together. The first player on the team is the local Board of Education. If the decision makers in the system understand the importance of differentiation, creativity, and authentic learning, teachers and school level administrators will most likely follow suit. The second player is school level administartors. These leaders in the school play a vital role on the team because they are the direct support for the teachers, students, and parents. Parents are the third player on the team; they need to be informed of rationales for lessons, student progress, and they need to be encouraged to participate. If there is a positive attitude about learning at home, the positive seed is planted in the child's mind. Fourthly, teachers are the planners, the implementers-the coach! When teachers plan with learner interest, learning style, affect, and readiness in mind, they can produce a comfortable classroom setting where students can become the Most Valuable Players in their learning. The fifth and final player, the star player, is the student. Students have to realize what their learning style is and how they learn best; using this information, they can choose assignments and situations that will allow them to show their full potential and creativity. Motivation to complete these assignments will likely be high if students buy into the teacher's explanations and endeavors to meet student needs. Ultimately, especially in the high school setting, a student's intrinsic motivations to exceed, be creative, and truly learn will drive their successes in academics, just as they do in life. When the buzzard rings at the end of the game, what will the scoreboard say? Will it say that we succeeded in educating our students? We have to grasp the notion that education is a high stakes game that involves the participation, dedication, and support of all five players; it is a game that requires we endure for all four quarters.

(Adapted from previous assignment)

**Mini-Me **

When I think back to the younger version of Dessica, there are many images, struggles, worries, and successes that come to mind; I would say my personality was and is similar in many ways to Stanley and Otto's personalities. I was very much like Stanley in many ways in that I was constantly worrying...my mom called me a "worry wart" for most of my childhood. I would worry about everything (and I'm talking immense worry) including whether or not the bus driver was going to let me off at my stop, the possibility I would be kidnapped, or the possibility that my parents might have a car accident. Death scared me to death....no pun intended. Out growing this worrysome part of my childhood was tough, and worry was something that caused me great internal conflict as child, but I learned to cope because of the helpful and caring adults that surrounded me. On a more positive note, I was similar to Otto in that I was stubborn beyond belief. I worked well under pressure especially when I felt that I could prove somebody wrong. For much of my life, stubborness and the refusal to give in, to slack, where parts of my personality that drove me to success in academics, athletics, family, and friendships. = My Top Sixteeen Classroom Rules (borrowed from pinterest.com) =



My Work: =[|Westbrook_Instructional Lesson Plan 7260.docx]= = = ==