Student Teaching Week 16 Reflection

Week of Reflection: Friday, April 26, 2019
 
Rate your overall experience of the week: 1-Very difficult | 5 – Great week

• This week was a 5! It was amazing how much more energetic and happy I felt after having spring break! I also made a conscious effort to make this the best week because it was my last full week in my placement, and I wanted to make the most of it with my kiddos and my C.E.!

Seven questions to end your week:

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

This week, I felt super accomplished to complete my last ever full week of reporting to my student teaching placement. Graduation is so close now, and it’s starting to really feel real! I cannot believe this is our last blog for the School of Ed. 💗

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

This week I observed kindergarten and 5th grade. I learned that I would be happy anywhere I am placed with a job-- I will just bloom wherever I am planted!

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

My short term goals of finishing up all last assignments and my portfolio is aligned with my long term goal of graduating!!! I cannot believe it!!

• Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing?

I was pretty happy with how I managed my time this week.

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

I didn’t really have any apprehension this week.

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

To make the most of my last couple of days with my kids and C.E., and to present my portfolio!

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?

I analyzed some math data this week. I actually taught my 2nd graders about data, various charts, and how to analyze data in pictographs and bar graphs!

• What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers?

Enjoy every second you can with your students and your C.E.!

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.

1b. “Teachers demonstrate leadership in the school.” This week in my placement, I have really analyzed data and the SIP as I have finished my portfolio. I have really begun to appreciate these elements throughout the completion of my portfolio.

• 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.

2a. “Teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults.” As I have finished teaching everything and all assignments, I have been able to finally take a deep breath and just enjoy my time with my C.E. and my students. I have been able to be there for them more and nurture them more as the stress of school work has subsided.

• 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.

3b. “Teachers know the content appropriate to their teaching specialty.” Completing my mock classroom website has really made me dive into 2nd grade resources, and it has made me more aware of content that is appropriate for my teaching specialty!

• 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.

4a. “Teachers know the ways in which learning takes place, and they know the appropriate levels of intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of their students.” When I look back at the beginning of student teaching, I was a little bit clueless when it came to understanding the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of my students. I could teach good lessons and I cared about the kids, but that was pretty much the extent of it. Now, at the end of student teaching, I believe I am more patient, and I have a better understanding of all of these things-- not just how to plan and teach a good lesson!

• 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.” As this semester and student teaching experience comes to a close, I have been reflecting a lot over the experience and how I have grown. I feel more prepared than ever to have a classroom of my own!

Other:

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

The whole thing is now complete!

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

None that I know of.

• What support do you need from your university supervisor?

None that I know of. But I do want to say thank you so much for all of your support on this journey and I will forever be grateful for all that you taught me and how you have supported me along the way! You’re the best! 🙂

Student Teaching Week 15 Reflection

Week of Reflection: Friday, April 12, 2019
 

• Rate your overall experience of the week: 1-Very difficult | 5 – Great week

This week was a 5! I got to observe so many amazing teachers around my school. And now, it is spring break!

Seven questions to end your week:

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

I finally felt confident in my ability to handle behavior management issues on my own. My CE needed me to take care of a behavior issue while she took the rest of the class to the library, and I was really proud of myself for how I handled the behavior. I handled everything in a very calm and effective manner!

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

Next week, over spring break, I will be working a lot on my portfolio-- specifically the portfolio video. However, the next week, I will be teaching only math. It’s hard to believe how fast time has flown by, but I am so excited about getting one step closer to having my own classroom!

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

This week I gave back reading, and the week after spring break I’m giving back phonics. I am getting closer and closer to being done and graduating! I am so excited!

• Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing?

I could have spent more time working on figuring out how to use Livebinder for my portfolio. From what I hear, it’s pretty hard to navigate.

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

N/A

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

To relax, sleep in, and get some portfolio work done over spring break!

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 phonics data, seeing if my students were mastering the syllabication method. They are getting it, for the most part!

• What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers?

Go out and observe teachers and soak up everything you can from them. Take lots of notes on cute ideas in their classroom like decorations or even behavior management techniques!

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.

Standard 1a. “Teachers lead in their classrooms.” This standard includes positive behavior management techniques, and this week I felt really confident in that!

• 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.

Standard 2c. “Teachers treat students as individuals.” This kind of goes hand-in-hand with the above standard, because I realized that kids are so different and unique from each other and you can’t teach nor discipline them all in the same ways. You have to figure out what their individual likes, dislikes, interests, etc. are and then go from their.

• 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.

Standard 3d. “Teachers make instruction relevant for their students.” This week we did a lot of cute things for literacy week, with this week being centered around mysteries. The kids got to dress up as detectives and we did a lot of fun activities involving mysteries.

• 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.

Standard 4c. “Teachers use a variety of instructional methods.” This one goes hand-in-hand with the one above. We even did a skit for the kids and took all the cookies out of the lunch room on Monday and had them solve the mystery on who ate them all. (It was the K-2 custodians! haha)

• 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.

Standard 5c. “Teachers function effectively in a complex, dynamic learning environment.” We made it to Spring Break! Praise the Lord. First break since MLK day in January-- we haven’t even had a single teacher workday since then!

Other:

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

All of it! I will be sending components in for feedback next week.

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

None that I know of.

• What support do you need from your university supervisor?

None that I know of!

Student Teaching Week 14 Reflection

Week of Reflection: Friday, April 5, 2019
 

• Rate your overall experience of the week: 1-Very difficult | 5 – Great week

This week was a 5! I had an amazing first observation by my principal, we had a fun field trip, and I got good edTPA scores back!!

Seven questions to end your week:

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

I was pleasantly surprised by good edTPA scores last night!

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

I learned a lot of valuable lessons by taking the whole 2nd grade at my school to a field trip in Charlotte. I learned what all goes into a field trip that far from the school, how to organize it, etc. It was fun and a cool experience going to the Discovery Place in Charlotte!

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

With passing edTPA my short and long term goals are still aligned because I am good to go for licensure!

• Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing?

This week, I was pretty proud of how I managed my time and can’t think of anything I could have spent more or less time doing.

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

N/A

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

Next week, I am observing 4 (possibly 5) teachers in different grade levels around the school, so I am excited to check that off my student teaching to-do list. Next week will be my last week before Spring Break!

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 data on how my technology tools for my portfolio impacted student learning. I was very pleased with the results.

• What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers?

Keep working hard! We have a little less than 3 weeks left!! (Basically 2.5 weeks left!)
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.

Standard 1b, “Teachers demonstrate leadership in the school.” A part of this standard is working with colleagues on professional learning activities. I worked this week with my C.E. and the 2nd grade team on the field trip we went on. It was good to have a refresher on how the field trip planning and implementing process works!

• 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.

Standard 2a, “Teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults.” This being week 10 of full instruction, I have really made an effort to continue building positive and nurturing relationships with my students as my time in this classroom is fading out. I am going to miss them bunches!

• 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.

Standard 3a, “Teachers align their instruction with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.” It is hard to believe that this is my last week of teaching reading, phonics, and math! I have really learned a lot about the 2nd grade NCSCOS and what all is expected of them. This was my last week of implementing reading standards in lesson plans for student teaching!

• 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.

Standard 4a, “Teachers know the ways in which learning takes place, and they know the appropriate levels of intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of their students.” This was a big one for me this semester. At the beginning of the semester, I was always planning activities that were way too easy or way too hard. This week, week 10, I feel like I have finally grasped what is developmentally appropriate for this age group! I am appropriately challenging my students without making things too hard or too easy for them. A big one I have learned this semester is not to underestimate what students can do! They will surprise you with creativity and their capabilities to soar!

• 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.

Standard 5a, “Teachers analyze student learning.” This week I analyzed the data on how my 5 tech tools for my portfolio impacted student learning, and I was pleased with the results. The interactive clock and water cycle websites I used impacted student learning greatly!

Other:

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

My classroom website, behavior plan, 5 tech tools screencast videos and 15 resources, resume, etc.

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

N/A

• What support do you need from your university supervisor?

N/A