Mallory Opiela's MAED Coursework
Below you will find brief descriptions of the coursework that was involved in my MAED program along with some examples of my work from each course.
ED 800- Concepts of Educational Inquiry
My students engaging in some inquiry
Fall 2010
Instructor: S. Weiland
This course was an introductory course for the Masters program. Its focus was educational inquiry and it used different types of literature to explore questions in education. Throughout the course, we discussed the "foundations of education", classroom-based and teacher-based inquiry, the history of schooling, theories of intelligence and the importance of curriculum, different learning styles based on culture, and finally the importance of embracing new technologies in the classroom. Below you will find a link to my Final Reflection for this course that incorporated what I had learned throughout the course, especially in regards to using teachers' experiences as a way to question and improve our educational system.
Instructor: S. Weiland
This course was an introductory course for the Masters program. Its focus was educational inquiry and it used different types of literature to explore questions in education. Throughout the course, we discussed the "foundations of education", classroom-based and teacher-based inquiry, the history of schooling, theories of intelligence and the importance of curriculum, different learning styles based on culture, and finally the importance of embracing new technologies in the classroom. Below you will find a link to my Final Reflection for this course that incorporated what I had learned throughout the course, especially in regards to using teachers' experiences as a way to question and improve our educational system.
ED 870- Capstone Seminar
A screenshot of my home page
Spring 2013
Instructor: M. Koehler
ED 870, our Capstone Seminar, focused on reflection and discussion of our experiences in the Master of Arts in Education program. We created a web-based portfolio to showcase what we have done throughout the course of the program as well as focused on things we learned in individual courses. The course was spent sharing ideas and learning from our classmates as well as critically reviewing other portfolios. Below is a link to the Online Portfolio I created for this course.
Instructor: M. Koehler
ED 870, our Capstone Seminar, focused on reflection and discussion of our experiences in the Master of Arts in Education program. We created a web-based portfolio to showcase what we have done throughout the course of the program as well as focused on things we learned in individual courses. The course was spent sharing ideas and learning from our classmates as well as critically reviewing other portfolios. Below is a link to the Online Portfolio I created for this course.
EAD 801- Leadership and Organizational Development
First ever parent/athlete game
Spring 2012
Instructor: N. Colflesh
This course was an introductory course into leadership and organizational development in schools. I decided to take this course because with my focus on becoming a better athletic director, it would help further develop and solidify my role as a leader. EAD 801 was very collaborative and my classmates and I focused heavily on working cooperatively with each other. It involved many live online class chats and exposed me to the most current research about leadership in our schools. Below you will find my Final Reflective Narrative Outline that discusses my key findings about the course and the changes in my beliefs and values because of this course.
Instructor: N. Colflesh
This course was an introductory course into leadership and organizational development in schools. I decided to take this course because with my focus on becoming a better athletic director, it would help further develop and solidify my role as a leader. EAD 801 was very collaborative and my classmates and I focused heavily on working cooperatively with each other. It involved many live online class chats and exposed me to the most current research about leadership in our schools. Below you will find my Final Reflective Narrative Outline that discusses my key findings about the course and the changes in my beliefs and values because of this course.
EAD 824- Leading Teacher Learning
Randy and I teaching PE class
Fall 2012
Instructor: N. Colflesh
In this course I was provided with the basic knowledge, skills, strategies, and awareness of resources to serve in a wide variety of leadership roles. Being athletic director I wanted to develop my leadership skills more deeply and thoroughly and this course allowed me to do that. Even though it wasn't specifically related to athletics its ideas of leadership and being a supportive leader directly effected my leadership skills to make our athletics program a cooperative and supportive one. Below you will find my Final Reflective Narrative Outline that talks about my major findings in the course and my ideas, beliefs, and values that have changed in the ideas of leadership.
Instructor: N. Colflesh
In this course I was provided with the basic knowledge, skills, strategies, and awareness of resources to serve in a wide variety of leadership roles. Being athletic director I wanted to develop my leadership skills more deeply and thoroughly and this course allowed me to do that. Even though it wasn't specifically related to athletics its ideas of leadership and being a supportive leader directly effected my leadership skills to make our athletics program a cooperative and supportive one. Below you will find my Final Reflective Narrative Outline that talks about my major findings in the course and my ideas, beliefs, and values that have changed in the ideas of leadership.
EAD 860- Concepts of a Learning Society
My little learning society
Summer 2012
Instructor: N. Sheltrown and S. Weiland
In this course the idea of the learning society and its impact on today's world was the main focus. Everyone from business to educational leaders are encouraging their employees to be a part of the learning society and this course helped me understand why. Being a member of the learning society entails becoming a life long learner whether through the traditional education system or venturing out on your own to learn something new. Below you will find an essay I wrote that analyzed the movie, "Erin Brockovich," and how throughout her life she became an active member of the learning society.
Instructor: N. Sheltrown and S. Weiland
In this course the idea of the learning society and its impact on today's world was the main focus. Everyone from business to educational leaders are encouraging their employees to be a part of the learning society and this course helped me understand why. Being a member of the learning society entails becoming a life long learner whether through the traditional education system or venturing out on your own to learn something new. Below you will find an essay I wrote that analyzed the movie, "Erin Brockovich," and how throughout her life she became an active member of the learning society.
KIN 854- Legal and Administrative Issues of Coaching
Varsity boys team huddle
Spring 2011
Instructor: R. Atkinson
In this course, understanding athletes, coaches, and district's responsibilities was a major focus. Legal issues ranging from mandatory reporting, facilities inspection, and pedagogical planning for athletes were some of the ideas and principles in this class. This was achieved through peer collaboration, journal reviews, and cumulative assignments. I have attached a copy of the risk management plan that I created and implemented last year at my school. This Risk Management Plan focuses heavily on making sure our athletics program is safe and secure for all of our athletes.
Instructor: R. Atkinson
In this course, understanding athletes, coaches, and district's responsibilities was a major focus. Legal issues ranging from mandatory reporting, facilities inspection, and pedagogical planning for athletes were some of the ideas and principles in this class. This was achieved through peer collaboration, journal reviews, and cumulative assignments. I have attached a copy of the risk management plan that I created and implemented last year at my school. This Risk Management Plan focuses heavily on making sure our athletics program is safe and secure for all of our athletes.
KIN 856- Physical Bases of Coaching
Tennis team performing static stretches
Summer 2011
Instructor: S. Riewald
In this extremely challenging but rewarding course, kinesiology, psychology, legal issues, and other principles of coaching were explored. The areas of study proved to be invaluable and relevant to the athletes and to the coaching staff which I work with. Examining coaching practices, with an emphasis on safe and effective instruction was a major point of emphasis. I have included an example of circuit training for basketball players. The circuit considers the Krebs cycle, ATP-CP production, anaerobic training, and muscle memorization. Below you will find a link to the Nutritional Recovery Brochure that I created for my athletes and parents.
Instructor: S. Riewald
In this extremely challenging but rewarding course, kinesiology, psychology, legal issues, and other principles of coaching were explored. The areas of study proved to be invaluable and relevant to the athletes and to the coaching staff which I work with. Examining coaching practices, with an emphasis on safe and effective instruction was a major point of emphasis. I have included an example of circuit training for basketball players. The circuit considers the Krebs cycle, ATP-CP production, anaerobic training, and muscle memorization. Below you will find a link to the Nutritional Recovery Brochure that I created for my athletes and parents.
KIN 857- Promoting Positive Youth Development in Sport
Basketball Camp 2012
Fall 2011
Instructor: D. Gould
In this course I truly developed and transformed my coaching pedagogy. The class examined the dangerous implication of youth specialization at a younger age, socioeconomic exclusion, and the dangerous mindsets associated with competition. We read in depth the book, Game On: The All American Race to Make Champions of our Children, by Tom Farrey. In the book, Farrey examines the lives of child athletes and the consequences of sorting the strong from the weak at ever earlier ages: fewer active kids, testier sidelines, rising obesity rates, and U.S. national teams that rarely win world titles. Below you will find a link to one of my Discussion Papers about the book that answered this question, "Are today’s talented high school athletes thinking too much about earning athletic scholarships?"
Instructor: D. Gould
In this course I truly developed and transformed my coaching pedagogy. The class examined the dangerous implication of youth specialization at a younger age, socioeconomic exclusion, and the dangerous mindsets associated with competition. We read in depth the book, Game On: The All American Race to Make Champions of our Children, by Tom Farrey. In the book, Farrey examines the lives of child athletes and the consequences of sorting the strong from the weak at ever earlier ages: fewer active kids, testier sidelines, rising obesity rates, and U.S. national teams that rarely win world titles. Below you will find a link to one of my Discussion Papers about the book that answered this question, "Are today’s talented high school athletes thinking too much about earning athletic scholarships?"
TE 846- Accommodating Differences in Literacy Learners
A literacy relay game we played in PE
Summer 2011
Instructor: L. Disney
In this course I was able to develop a better understanding of my students with learning disabilities. Learning, understanding, and then making meaningful accommodations for students who struggle with literacy was the main goal of this course. Learning the importance of fluency, decoding, and the struggles of English Language Learners directly impacted my current teaching. I have included my case study in which I worked with one of my athletes who struggled with fluency and decoding skills. My Case Study captured the personal side of how frustrating reading can be to students with reading disabilities and yet it shows how fluency and comprehension can be improved.
Instructor: L. Disney
In this course I was able to develop a better understanding of my students with learning disabilities. Learning, understanding, and then making meaningful accommodations for students who struggle with literacy was the main goal of this course. Learning the importance of fluency, decoding, and the struggles of English Language Learners directly impacted my current teaching. I have included my case study in which I worked with one of my athletes who struggled with fluency and decoding skills. My Case Study captured the personal side of how frustrating reading can be to students with reading disabilities and yet it shows how fluency and comprehension can be improved.