Wesley Brown PortfolioMy name is Wes Brown and I am a member of the faculty at Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, NC. At Ravenscroft, I serve as the instructional technology specialist in the middle school division with additional teaching and advising responsibilites in the sixth grade. I graduated from N.C. State with a B.S. in Middle Grades Education in 2011, and later earned an M.Ed. in Instructional Technology. I hold North Carolina teaching licenses in middle and secondary English/langauge arts, social studies, and as an instructional technology specialist. I have international travel experience both as a student and a teacher. Of specific note, I have traveled to to Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, and Amsterdam. My educational interests include work in the fields of independent school education, diversity and inclusion efforts, facilitation skills, PBL, and design thinking. I am a mentor for Note in the Pocket's Teen Board, and am a social media ambassador for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. I enjoy travel, technology, sightseeing, and all things Vineyard Vines. Visiting all seven continents is on my bucket list.
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Cultural Connections Project 1: Global Collaborative Project (Video Synopsis)
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Cultural Connections Project 2: Scripted Duologue (GoAnimate)
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Cultural Collections Project 1: Swedish Culture Map (Google Maps)
- Training Map, NCSU, Wolves
- Sweden Map
Cultural Collections Project 2: Tour Guide (History Pin)
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Cultural Collections Project 3: Swedish History (MyHistro)
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Cultural Collections Project 4: Curated Collection of Objects (Voicethread)
Cultural Reflections Project 1: The Last Word, Swedish education articles
As I reflect on the myriad of techniques, bureaucracy, standards, resources, and backgrounds that are present in schools around the world, I often question which one is the best? This question is certainly timely as the United States, and North Carolina specifically, has faced many challenges and setbacks when focused on the goal of improving public education.
Though I do not teach in a Public School in North Carolina, the conversations my cohort engaged in when reflecting on the articles on the Swedish education system are thought provoking. Coming from a society where standardization is the norm, and testing results seems "life or death" to many educators and administrators, allows me to see that we may have lost our way when thinking of the importance of providing education to our youngest citizens. In the Norden text, the author references how in Sweden the standards that teachers are charged to teach are "malleable" instead of "ironclad". This allow for a learning curve of sorts for teachers and administrators in order to meet the goals of classroom instruction. Additionally, I find that this type of philosophy allows for additional autonomy, which in the end, will promote by-in from students and teachers.
I know that a complete transformation of our public schools is not realistic at the present time, but I wonder if policy makers will have the time to engage in some important reflection on best practice when working with standards and how they are impacting schools, teachers, and most importantly students.
As I reflect on the myriad of techniques, bureaucracy, standards, resources, and backgrounds that are present in schools around the world, I often question which one is the best? This question is certainly timely as the United States, and North Carolina specifically, has faced many challenges and setbacks when focused on the goal of improving public education.
Though I do not teach in a Public School in North Carolina, the conversations my cohort engaged in when reflecting on the articles on the Swedish education system are thought provoking. Coming from a society where standardization is the norm, and testing results seems "life or death" to many educators and administrators, allows me to see that we may have lost our way when thinking of the importance of providing education to our youngest citizens. In the Norden text, the author references how in Sweden the standards that teachers are charged to teach are "malleable" instead of "ironclad". This allow for a learning curve of sorts for teachers and administrators in order to meet the goals of classroom instruction. Additionally, I find that this type of philosophy allows for additional autonomy, which in the end, will promote by-in from students and teachers.
I know that a complete transformation of our public schools is not realistic at the present time, but I wonder if policy makers will have the time to engage in some important reflection on best practice when working with standards and how they are impacting schools, teachers, and most importantly students.
Cultural Reflections Project 2: Swedish Book Club (GoodReads)
We each of our own mental models of the world that lies to the north of Europe: Scandinavia. Author Michael Booth provides a wealth of knowledge, background, and observations on the culture, landscape, and ambiance of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland. The author's seriousness of purpose, coupled with the array of metaphorical and cultural jargon, allowed for a range of takeaways to help debunk, and validate my own perceptions of the almost nearly perfect people of Scandinavia.
We each of our own mental models of the world that lies to the north of Europe: Scandinavia. Author Michael Booth provides a wealth of knowledge, background, and observations on the culture, landscape, and ambiance of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland. The author's seriousness of purpose, coupled with the array of metaphorical and cultural jargon, allowed for a range of takeaways to help debunk, and validate my own perceptions of the almost nearly perfect people of Scandinavia.
Cultural Reflections Project 3: Travel Writing (Blog)
Traveling Back in Time: Skokloster Castle
After several days of visiting the museums, churches, squares, and shops in Stockholm, a visit to the Skokloster Castle was the breath of fresh air that I needed.
The trek to the 17th century castle is just under an hour’s drive from Stockholm, though good ole’ public transportation coupled with a bit of power walking can do the trick in just under 2.5 hours. Because I was not feeling as adventurous, I traveled by chartered coach with 16 of my closest travel companions and a driver named Joe.
Upon first arrival to the grounds of the castle, I was teased with glimpses of Lake Mälaren, a familiar site that I have become acquaintances with over the past several days during my trip to Sweden. As we parked and began our walk to the castle’s entrance, the aromas of Swedish chocolate balls and freshly brewed coffee served as invitations for our group to enjoy after touring the castle.
The Skokloster Church was nestled between the parking venue and the castle and served as a reminder of the seriousness of purpose that was required when touring historical landmarks. As I made my way through the cemetery of the church, I gained a glimpse of the church’s historical significance, which dates back to the 13th Century. I later learned that this church is Sweden’s second oldest brick church and houses the remains of the castle’s original owner, Carl Gustaf Wrangel.
The gravel filled paths from the church to the castle were lined with lime trees that provided a gentle reminder of the significance and affluence of this castle’s original owner.
Our group opted for the guided tour, which consisted of a tour guide and access to specific areas of the castle that are not available with general admission. Our tour guide was dressed in period costume that helped transport my group to the 17th Century in Baroque-style Sweden. Prior to entering the first room of the tour, I was greeted by a familiar friend: a folding chair.
With each step, I was immersed in the lives of aristocratic Sweden with all of its glamour, romance, and enchantment. I can only imagine the allure of being an invited guest at the dinner table of Carl Gustaf Wrangel during Sweden’s Age of Greatness. It was evidenced by the shimmering wallpaper and elaborate paintings and furnishings that the Skokloster Castle truly a testament to an exemplary era in Swedish history.
Prior to entering the castle’s library, I passed detailed equestrian-esque paintings that took me back to an earlier time: Friday night at the Fotografiska. In this gallery, visitors are able to gain glance at the vacant halls that remained unfinished after the death of Wrangel.
Thepièce de résistance of the castle is the three-room armory, housing over 2,000 items. In addition to armor, cannons, and weapons, the this extensive collection delicately displayed stuffed animals, including a rattlesnake and a blowfish, a hammock from South America, and a kayak from Greenland.
At the conclusion of the tour, I made the obligatory stop by the castle’s gift shop to buy a postcard to serve as a reminder of a simpler time: 17th Century Sweden.
Traveling Back in Time: Skokloster Castle
After several days of visiting the museums, churches, squares, and shops in Stockholm, a visit to the Skokloster Castle was the breath of fresh air that I needed.
The trek to the 17th century castle is just under an hour’s drive from Stockholm, though good ole’ public transportation coupled with a bit of power walking can do the trick in just under 2.5 hours. Because I was not feeling as adventurous, I traveled by chartered coach with 16 of my closest travel companions and a driver named Joe.
Upon first arrival to the grounds of the castle, I was teased with glimpses of Lake Mälaren, a familiar site that I have become acquaintances with over the past several days during my trip to Sweden. As we parked and began our walk to the castle’s entrance, the aromas of Swedish chocolate balls and freshly brewed coffee served as invitations for our group to enjoy after touring the castle.
The Skokloster Church was nestled between the parking venue and the castle and served as a reminder of the seriousness of purpose that was required when touring historical landmarks. As I made my way through the cemetery of the church, I gained a glimpse of the church’s historical significance, which dates back to the 13th Century. I later learned that this church is Sweden’s second oldest brick church and houses the remains of the castle’s original owner, Carl Gustaf Wrangel.
The gravel filled paths from the church to the castle were lined with lime trees that provided a gentle reminder of the significance and affluence of this castle’s original owner.
Our group opted for the guided tour, which consisted of a tour guide and access to specific areas of the castle that are not available with general admission. Our tour guide was dressed in period costume that helped transport my group to the 17th Century in Baroque-style Sweden. Prior to entering the first room of the tour, I was greeted by a familiar friend: a folding chair.
With each step, I was immersed in the lives of aristocratic Sweden with all of its glamour, romance, and enchantment. I can only imagine the allure of being an invited guest at the dinner table of Carl Gustaf Wrangel during Sweden’s Age of Greatness. It was evidenced by the shimmering wallpaper and elaborate paintings and furnishings that the Skokloster Castle truly a testament to an exemplary era in Swedish history.
Prior to entering the castle’s library, I passed detailed equestrian-esque paintings that took me back to an earlier time: Friday night at the Fotografiska. In this gallery, visitors are able to gain glance at the vacant halls that remained unfinished after the death of Wrangel.
Thepièce de résistance of the castle is the three-room armory, housing over 2,000 items. In addition to armor, cannons, and weapons, the this extensive collection delicately displayed stuffed animals, including a rattlesnake and a blowfish, a hammock from South America, and a kayak from Greenland.
At the conclusion of the tour, I made the obligatory stop by the castle’s gift shop to buy a postcard to serve as a reminder of a simpler time: 17th Century Sweden.
Cultural Reflections Project 5: Impressions of Sweden (Meme Generator)