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Ms. Gail Dinger
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West Middle School
Class Information:
Room Number: 13
Students per Class: 14-16
Class Description:
This year I'll be teaching eighth grade language arts. The class will combine both reading and writing instruction.
Position:
8th Grade Language Arts
Needs:
Because of the growing need for media literacy in the classroom, students must have opportunities to both produce and critically view media through the use of Flip cameras, USB microphones, digital photography cameras, Macbook computers, and a DVD/VHS player/recorder.
My Philosophy:
I strongly believe that media literacy is a needed component in the classroom. Nontraditional texts play an important role in educating today's students for tomorrow's needs. By teaching students to appreciate, evaluate, and create these types of texts (such as film, video slide shows, etc.), a higher degree of engagement results and more learning takes place. However, the degree to which I can use media as both a teaching and assessment tool is limited by the amount of technology available to me and my students.
Personal Information:
About Me:
I will be entering my twelfth year of teaching, eighth at my current school.
College and Degrees:
BA in Secondary English with Reading minor at University of Northern Iowa Currentlypursuing a Master's Degree in Teaching at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA
Activities:
Building Leadership Team Member Advisory Committee Chairperson LanguageArts Curriculum Committee Member
Favorite Books:
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech Missing May by Cynthia Rylant
Interests:
Reading, viewing television and film, home decorating and landscaping, spending time with family
Why Do I Teach?:
I teach for the intrinsic rewards that come with the job. I like to read and watch films/TV, so I LOVE a good story and enjoy sharing this enthusiasm with others. There is nothing better than seeing the "lightbulb effect" when a student truly understands a concept being studied and is able to connect it to him or herself. An immeasurable reward occurs when students tell me they have seen or read something based on what we talked about at an earlier time. I also love the unexpected conversations that occur during class and result in memorable moments that cannot be found in any other profession.