Student Teaching Week 1 Reflection

January 4, 2019

     I would rate my overall experience this week as a 5-- it was a great week. I loved coming back from the break and seeing all of my students, my C.E., and the staff! I am really starting to feel at home in this school, and I am so thankful for that!

7 Questions to end the week:

• Observe: What pleasant surprises / accomplishments did I achieve this week?

     This week, I handed out my Student Interests Survey and learned so much more about my kids than I ever expected… especially the children I am zoning in on for my behavior plan. I realized that the child that I am going to focus on the most has a lot of internal motivation, and not just external motivation-- he absolutely loves reading to his little brother and sister’s classes as a reward, or eating lunch with my C.E. and I, rather than getting a piece of candy. Thank goodness!! I was pleasantly surprised to find this out and analyze this information to set some goals and rewards that will work well for him this semester.

• Reflect: What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week?

     This week I learned that it will be challenging to get up really early, go to school and teach, do carpool duty and after school meetings, come home and write lesson plans, and do homework on top of all of those duties. However, I also learned the power in time management and that I won’t be successful this semester if I stay up all night every night. So as I settle into a routine this semester, I will find a schedule that works for me and everything I am being demanded to do this semester and find a balance.

• Focus:  How are my short-term efforts and my long-term goals still aligned?

      My short term goals are really starting to line up with my long term goals as it is crunch time, and my C.E. and I are planning what I need to teach and when, so that I can plan now for the future.
Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing?
I could have spent more time working on homework as soon as I got home from school, rather than late at night.

• Have Courage:  How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn’t do?

     I will not lie-- I have had tons of apprehension this week about this semester, and I have no idea why. I have always been extremely proactive, and I still was this week, but something about the week before Student Teaching made me really uneasy. However, this did not impact my motivation and determination to jump in there and get started. After I showed up for Day 1, my apprehension went away and what I am supposed to do kicked in. It was great to be back after the restful break.

• Begin Anew: What is the first logical step(s) for next week? What mental clutter can I clear?

    The first logical step for next week is to sit down with my C.E. and figure out when she would like for me to turn my lesson plans in to her so that she has plenty of time to review them before I send them to Dr. Parker for feedback.
Adapted from: Cernoff, M. (2013, August 7). 7 Questions to End Your Week With. . Retrieved July 21, 2014, from http://www.marcandangel.com/2013/08/08/7-questions-to-end-your-week-with/

• What were some data you analyzed this week and how did it help inform your instructional decisions?

     This week, I analyzed some formative assessment data in order to help inform me on my students and how I can help differentiate for them. I assisted my C.E. in math groups this week, and my student with an IEP is supposed to struggle in academics, speech, motor skills, some social skills, attention deficit, etc. However, he completed a math sheet on a new concept totally on his own, and he made a 100%. My C.E. and I were so excited. This showed me that during student teaching, I will need to be careful about which assignments I modify for him, so that I don’t make something too easy for him because he is able to take responsibility and do well on his own! I think it will take just a little more time to get to know him and what he can do and is still learning to do, but by the time I start my full instruction, we will grasp it.

What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers?
     I would tell other student teachers that while it is top priority to do our very best in our blackboard work and everything, and to plan ahead, we still need to take care of ourselves so that we are present for our children when we are there. We don’t need to be so worn down that we get short with them over nothing… we need to be on top of our game and do our best for them.

NC Teacher Candidate Standards (be sure to reference activities from your lesson plans to solidify your answer)
Pick an element from standard one of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.

• 1e. Teachers demonstrate high ethical standards. This week everyone was so sleepy from getting back into the school routine after the break. We had some very emotional second graders, some arguments, etc. One child in particular that my C.E. and I know has a rough homelife was constantly crying, asking if she could go to sleep, and said that the clock said 3:07 when she went to bed the night before. My C.E. and I are both strong believers in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, in which Maslow states that a child cannot learn to the best of their ability unless their basic needs are met-- and sleep is one of those. So we let her sleep. 

Pick an element from standard two of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.

• 2d. Teachers adapt their teaching for the benefit of students with special needs. This week I had an extensive meeting with the E.C. teacher discussing my student with an IEP, ways I could meet his needs, etc. during student teaching. She was extremely helpful!

Pick an element from standard three of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.

• 3c. Teachers recognize the interconnectedness of content areas/disciplines. This week, my C.E. and I had really good conversation about integration and how I love to integrate science and social studies into my instruction. We even talked about apps that make this easy to do. It was a very productive conversation!

Pick an element from standard four of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.

• 4f. Teachers help students work in teams and develop leadership qualities. This week, we tried guided math groups for the first time since I have been in my placement, and I think that it went really well. We are slowly but surely supporting our students in working together, since this is not necessarily one of their strongest points. However, I am seeing improvement!

Pick an element from standard five of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.

• 5b. Teachers link professional growth to their professional goals. My C.E. and I discussed both my PDP and her PDP this week. She was really impressed that I have to do a PDP this semester. I love having a C.E. that I can discuss PDP goals with and we can hold each other accountable.

Other:

• What components of your portfolio have you started to complete?

     I have started to complete my behavior plan component. I am also already planning for Global Awareness in my lesson plans.

• What support does your clinical educator need from your university supervisor?

     More clarity and information on what is expected this semester-- she is overwhelmed.
What support do you need from your university supervisor?