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