The Virtual Classroom is Where I Want to Be | Dear Professor with Mikaila Wright

About the Guest:Ms. Mikaila Wright is a passionate early childhood educator currently teaching pre-K in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. At 26 years old, she boasts a robust nine-year history of online learning, having transitioned from community college to double majoring at North Carolina Central University. Mikaila is currently furthering her education with a graduate degree in Early Childhood Interventions and Family Support. Aside from her professional pursuits, Mikaila enjoys cooking, particularly soul food, and considers shopping to be one of her favorite pastimes.Episode Summary:In this enriching installment of the Dear Professor series, Dr. Kellie Alston engages in a dynamic conversation with Mikaila Wright, a pre-K teacher and online education enthusiast. The episode delves into Mikaila's extensive online learning journey, exploring her triumphs, challenges, and the balance she maintains between her professional responsibilities and academic ambitions.Mikaila shares her journey through online education, detailing her needs for structure and organization in her online courses. She emphasizes the importance of clear directions and organized course material in enhancing student learning outcomes. Mikaila also reflects on her pet peeves, underscoring how a lack of organization can exacerbate the stress associated with complex topics like research. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Alston and Mikaila explore the concept of presence in online instruction, noting that an engaging and inviting professor can greatly influence student participation and success.Key Takeaways:Online learning provides invaluable flexibility for students who need to balance work and education.Structured and organized course materials are essential for online students to succeed and feel less overwhelmed.Personal engagement from professors, even in an online setting, can push students out of their comfort zones and significantly contribute to their personal growth and confidence.Mikaila advocates for the critical importance of early childhood education, highlighting the misconceptions around pre-K and kindergarten teaching.A key to a fulfilling online learning experience lies in the instructors' ability to create a rich and interactive virtual environment, despite the challenges of physical distance.Give-Away:Listeners interested in obtaining the "Professor's Week in Review" journal can reach out to Dr. Kellie Alston via email at [email protected] before February 29, 2024, to grab a copy. Please include your mailing address and that you listened to Season 2, Episode 4.Important InfoThank you for listening, rating, sharing, commenting, and subscribing!Website: kelliealston.comEmail: [email protected] Credit: Maskros by Bowmull https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ZdbTFzb4Ne/The Professor's Week In Review Order here: https://bit.ly/drkelliealston