Lisa Jordan

I plan on using the three components for student motivation; reinforcement, retention, and transference. Also, continuing to practice semantic, and episodic memory teaching with students. 

Since adult attention spans are 10-15 it is important to keep your students engaged. Being a good storyteller is effective and shows your students that you are human too. Use the purpose, practice and priority when creating your story.

Remembering to be enthusiastic about teaching and the content I am presenting. Even if it is the "boring" stuff, finding ways to show enthusiasm and engage the students. The phase, "if you don't care, they don't care" is very true. 

I am enjoying this class and will be implementing some of the strategies in the classroom. Maslow's hierarchy of needs is something I have learned before and find very helpful and interesting. All humans really need all of these needs in order to live their best lives; academically, professionally, personally, and spiritually. 

I have learned that I will continue to grow as a human being by being aware of my own biases. By deciding to look at things differently and acknowledging that certain beliefs can be changed at any time. I have learned a lot from the book, "The Four Agreements", it speaks extensively about assumptions and how we make them all the time, but by noticing this and questioning it, it then allows for growth. 

So far, I have learned that we all have biases, but it is about what you do with those biases. I acknowledge that I have some and I am striving to be a better human in all aspects. 

Graphic organizers are a great way to help veteran students with PTSD and/or TBI stay on task with note taking, organizing information, and connecting to themselves. As an instructor changing the flow of the classroom every 15-20 minutes offers time for these students to take in the information and not feel rushed. It offers time for them to sit with it and offer their own explanation especially if the teacher offers a Q&A session afterwards. 

Learning that TBI's are the leading cause of death and disability in the U.S. was surprising. I would have thought cancer, heart isssues, etc. Depression being the leading symptom of TBI's is something I have already noticed in some of my students. The course is helping identify ways to support these folks the best I can so they can have a successful experience at my school. 

The facts on TBI and PTSD and how they counteract each other is startling. When a person is diagnosed with both, it is a difficult task for medical personnel to distinguish which symptom relates to which diagnosis. 

I was a victim advocate for domestic abuse and sexual assault victims and survivors. I have experienced vicarious trauma. I had acquired the tools necessary to stay in that field for as long as I did. Currently, I am in a teaching position and have recognized signs of PTSD in some of my students. I feel my background is helpful in supporting my students and understanding their individual behaviors.