Ms. Kenesha Allen's Georgia State University Graduation Portfolio

Hello,

 

My name is Ms. Kenesha Allen, I was born and raised in Augusta, Georgia. I moved to Atlanta, Georgia to seek an undergraduate degree at Georgia State University. I graduated from Georgia State University Cum Laude in May of 2014 receiving a degree in Middle Grades Education with a concentration in math and science. I completed my Pre-Service teaching in DeKalb County at Tucker Middle School and Cedar Grove Middle School. Within my pre-service teaching experience I collaborated with a cooperating teacher to plan lessons, prepare projects, and assess student knowledge. I developed and enhanced critical skills and greater understandings in lesson planning, lesson differentiation, classroom management, culturally responsive pedagogy, and various educational theories and practices.

 

From the moment I realized how strong I was in academics I devoted myself to providing support to my peers that wanted and or needed assistance. My experience in tutoring my peers throughout grade school allowed me to exercise my ability to effectively explain and demonstrate concepts. The successes of my tutoring led me to the aspiration of wanting to teach adolescents as a career.

 

Education has always been important to me. I have always found value in challenging myself intellectually. One thing that I would like to instill in each of my future students is the purpose of education as described by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He states, “To my mind, education has a two-fold function in society. On the one hand it should discipline the mind for sustained and persistent speculation. On the other hand it should integrate human life around central, focusing ideals.” This quotes speaks volumes to me because not only does he declare the purpose of education, but he also declares my purpose as an educator, to discipline and mold my student’s minds, to teach them to think objectively, to teach them to continuously question the world around them, and to guide them in the development of focusing ideals and morals.