Chuck Parish - Teaching the Science of Reading

My passion ...

     for becoming a middle school English language and reading teacher stems from my lifelong journey with reading and writing. From an early age, immersion in books stretched my imagination and introduced me to exciting new worlds, cultures, and ideas. Each book became a window to a new world and shaped my understanding of a storyteller's power to connect diverse ideas and cultures. Perhaps my first memory of this exploration was visiting The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. The characters and their adventures in this strange and exciting world held me spellbound. I love seeing similar reflections of awe in my students as they open the pages of great books. Baum's writing exposes students to cultures vastly different from their own. This exposure to diverse narratives has been vital to my development, igniting a passion for writing and teaching.

     As I pursue a second career as an English language and reading teacher, I do so from an inner passion to inspire young people to read widely and seize every chance to articulate their perspectives through writing. My goal is to open doors for students to the endless possibilities of personal and intellectual growth by exposing them to various literature. In my view, the ultimate reward of an educator is to guide students onto the path of lifelong learning fueled by the joys of reading and writing. I envision my classroom as a place where literature serves not just as books to be read but as vibrant, living conversations between the past, present, and future.

     In preparing myself for a master's degree, I aim to learn more about creating lesson plans and student emotional and social development to effectively lead students from reading to expressing their thoughts about what they have read through essays and personal reflection. Equipping myself with an increased knowledge of educational strategies and variations in students' psychological development will allow me to produce lessons that inform and inspire.

     The MAEd. program at UTEP aligns with my research goals and contributes to my pursuit of this degree. It also provides a clear path to obtaining my Texas Teaching Certification. It represents my commitment to personal growth and an investment in the future of students I have yet to have the privilege to teach. By introducing further academic preparation and teaching experience, completing my MAEd. will cement my journey toward becoming the inspiring educator I want to be.

     I am transitioning from a 40-year career in pastoral ministry. Teaching and guiding diverse individuals has always been my primary role. Now, I am preparing for a second career in education. My experience as a pastor has equipped me with invaluable mentorship skills, which have laid a solid foundation for this career. Pastors are educators. The majority of their time is spent teaching others how to be successful in life. I have been actively teaching a diverse group of people for many years. The experience I have gained with those of all ages has been incredible. Part of this experience included living and working in a third-world country (Papua New Guinea). While residing there for three years, I taught Bible, theology, and pastoral practice courses to national students at the Melanesia Nazarene Bible College. This teaching experience was not only bi-lingual but cross-cultural.

     Having recently completed my bachelor's degree, I began to focus on completing the Texas Teaching Certification. My research led me to UTEP's ACP program, which uniquely combines this certification with a Master of Arts in Education (MAEd). As a lifelong learner, I feel it is worth investing my time in achieving the benefits of this degree. I will be a better teacher and have access to knowledge that my bachelor's degree lacked. The MAEd degree will provide the specific education classes not included in my previous degree program.

     I realize my age could be seen as a limitation, implying a shorter career span. I, however, believe my years of life experience are an asset. I bring patience, wisdom, and comprehensive skills to my teaching career. These are qualities essential for effective teaching and will inform my approach to becoming an educator.

     I have a clear set of goals moving forward. I am teaching full-time while completing the master's degree. I worked full-time during the extent of my bachelor's education, so I believe I can continue to work and complete the required coursework while maintaining a high GPA. UTEP's MAEd provides a hybrid learning environment, so I will not have to be continuously on campus to meet the degree requirements.