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Mike Mohammad was born and raised in Sheboygan, WI. He attended UW Madison where he received his degree in Secondary Education in Broadfield Science and Biology with additional certifications in chemistry and physics. He has been a secondary educator for 15 years, 11 of which have been at Brookfield Central High School in Brookfield, WI. His interests in education focus on putting students at the center of their own learning experience. He lives in Brown Deer, WI with his wife and dog.
SHOW NOTES
i am ME. Statements
i am authentic. i am transparent. i am dedicated.
GETTING TO KNOW MIKE
What is one thing that makes you unique as a leader in education?
I am always willing to try new things. If we don’t try new things in the classroom, we don’t really have a sense of how our students can learn in different ways.
When and why did you decide to become a teacher?
In college I realized pre med was not for me and changed my major to science education after really enjoying a science lab I took.
What about teaching today gives you the greatest fulfillment?
When I am able to give the least amount of instruction and see students take over this idea that they want to figure it out on their own.
SIMPLE CONNECTIONS
Please share with us a simple connection where you feel you made a long-lasting, powerful impact on a student.
One elementary student who learned just a little bit about sound on a field trip came back so excited because she knew she wanted to take AP Physics in high school.
PERSONALIZED LEARNING JOURNEY
What is it about Personalized Learning Pedagogy you believe will have the greatest impact on education as we know it today?
It is helping learners make connections, not just with content but as well as the process of learning.
OVERCOMING OBSTACLES
Tell us about a challenging situation that could have resulted in a bad outcome, but because you persisted — and perhaps made tough decisions, the now painful memory serves as a great lesson?
I was put on a watch list during my first years of teaching because of others noticing my style was different than the norm. Once they actually saw what I was doing, they said it was something great.
SECRETS TO SUCCESS
What one strategy would you suggest teachers in personalized learning environments apply everyday that would result in powerful outcomes?
We need to gather feedback on how students are learning and act on the information we receive.
Imagine you are standing in front of a room full of educators — just like you when you started your personalized learning journey. They too have fears, worries and doubts as they struggle to find their footing. What are two to three key things they should focus on to ensure success?
Focus on the why and the what and the how will figure itself out. A great way to start building relationships with your students from the beginning is to send out personal learning profiles on the first day of class to really grasp who they are.
i am ME.
Can you share with the i am Me. audience one thing that makes you GREAT?
I am always open to something new to bring into my classroom.