My MAED Portfolio
Expanding My Knowledge
My learning didn't start with this program and it most certainly will not end with the completion of it!
One thing I have learned during my graduate studies is that good teaching and learning is never finished. There is always something new to explore, new ideas to try, and new ways to reach students. My future learning goals are centered around becoming a better educator by continuing to explore student engagement, technology in education, and teaching approaches that connect classroom learning to real-world experience.
Funeral service is an ancient profession rooted in tradition, but the way we educate future funeral directors and embalmers continues to evolve. My goal is to keep learning so I can help bring this profession into the 21st century while still honoring the values that make it meaningful. I want my students to feel connected to their learning, understand the real responsibilities of the profession, and develop the confidence they need to care for families in difficult moments. The areas I want to continue learning about are student engagement and active learning, the thoughtful use of technology in education, and ways to connect classroom learning with real-world professional practice.
Image created using AI-assisted image generation based on original photographs provided by the author.
Learning More About Student Engagement and Active Learning
One of the most important things I want to continue learning about is how to better engage students in their own learning. Over the past few years, I have become very interested in ideas like engaged pedagogy, which emphasizes learning environments where students actively participate rather than passively receive information.
In my own teaching, I have found that students learn best when they feel involved. When they can talk through ideas, work through scenarios, or reflect on real situations they may encounter in the profession, the material becomes more meaningful. This is especially true in funeral service education, where students must develop, not only knowledge, but also emotional awareness, communication skills, and professional judgment.
I want to continue exploring strategies that encourage students to participate, ask questions, and think critically about the work they will eventually do. I have already experimented with activities like case studies, simulations, and creative learning exercises. Moving forward, I want to learn even more about approaches that support active learning, curiosity, and meaningful discussion.
To build on this, I want to deepen my understanding of specific active learning strategies such as structured discussion techniques, scenario-based learning design, and the use of guided questioning frameworks that promote critical thinking. I hope to use some of these techniques to design more effective discussion prompts in D2L, facilitate meaningful peer-to-peer interaction, and implement problem-based learning activities that mirror real-world funeral service situations.
I also want to explore ways to intentionally assess engagement, using tools such as formative assessments and participation rubrics to better understand how students are interacting with the material. I hope to create learning environments that consistently promotes active participation, curiosity, and deeper understanding.
Using Technology to Support Teaching and Learning
Another area I want to continue learning about is how new technologies can support both teaching and student learning. Technology is always changing, and I believe it’s important for educators to stay curious and keep learning new tools that can improve the learning experience for students. Rather than using technology just because it exists, I want to understand how it can be used in meaningful ways that help students stay engaged, understand the material better, and prepare for real-world
situations.
In my program, I’m especially interested in technologies that connect classroom learning to what students will actually do in funeral service. One example is Passare, a system many funeral homes use to track cases and guide funeral directors through the arrangement process. Our college is currently working on creating a simulated funeral home arrangement room. The plan is to include Passare so I can walk students through the steps of meeting with families, entering information, and completing arrangements using the same type of software they will see in the profession.
We are also working with industry partners to bring other technologies into the classroom. One example we are exploring is the Anatomage Table, which is a virtual anatomy table that allows students to explore the human body in a detailed, interactive way. Tools like these can help students better understand anatomy and become more comfortable with the kinds of technology they may encounter in the field. My goal is to keep learning about tools like these so I can continue improving how I prepare students for their future careers.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
The final area I want to continue learning about is how to better connect classroom learning with real-world professional experience. Funeral service is a profession that requires both technical skill and deep compassion. Students must learn anatomy, embalming techniques, and regulations, but they must also learn how to communicate with grieving families and carry the emotional responsibility that comes with this work.
Because of this, I believe education should go beyond lectures and textbooks. Students learn much more when they can explore real situations, discuss professional challenges, and think through the kinds of decisions they may face in practice. In my teaching, I have already begun incorporating scenario-based learning and simulations, such as first-call scenarios and case analysis exercises. These activities give students the opportunity to think through professional situations before they encounter them in real life.
Looking ahead, I would like to expand these kinds of real-world learning opportunities. One idea is to partner with local funeral homes so students can observe or participate in funeral arrangement conferences. This would give them a clearer understanding of how arrangements are conducted and how funeral directors support families during difficult moments. I am also interested in encouraging students to complete their apprenticeship hours while they are enrolled in school rather than before or after the program. When students are working in the profession at the same time they are learning in the classroom, they often bring real questions and experiences into class discussions, which helps deepen everyone’s understanding of funeral service practice.
Moving forward, I want to continue exploring ways to design learning experiences that help students connect theory with practice and feel more prepared for the responsibilities they will carry in this profession.
Image created using AI-assisted image generation based on original photographs provided by the author.
Education is an ongoing process, and I see my own learning as something that will continue throughout my career. By exploring student engagement strategies, learning how to better use technology in the classroom, and continuing to connect learning with real-world professional experiences, I hope to create meaningful learning environments for my students.
Funeral service may be one of the oldest professions in the world, but the way we educate the next generation of funeral directors and embalmers should continue to evolve. By staying curious and open to new ideas, I hope to help carry this profession forward while preparing my students to serve their communities with skill, compassion, and professionalism.