April 26, 2019

I would rate this week as a 5 out of 5. I was able to finish everything in my portfolio except one observation which is going to be this upcoming Monday. The light is so close at the end of this tunnel.

OBSERVE

This week I went and observed a 1st grade classroom at Boiling Springs as well as a 2nd grade classroom at Jefferson. These were both great observations and I was able to take away lots of notes for my future classroom.

REFLECT

I have been reflecting as we wrap up this student teaching experience and I am realizing that I am going to have a hard time saying my goodbyes to my kiddos.

FOCUS

This week my main focus was finishing all component to the portfolio.

BE PRODUCTIVE

This week I could have spent more time on preparing for the presentation instead I was just solely focused on getting the components finished.

BEGIN ANEW

Next week I want to practice and feel well prepared for our portfolio presentations.

1b. Teachers demonstrate leadership in the school .

This week I lead by consulting to first and second grade teachers and getting to observe half of their day to see some similarities and differences and see different school environments.

2a. Teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults.

This week I focused a lot on just assisting my CE. I also tried to soak up what time I have left with these precious students by loving on them and trying to create a positive image of school for them to remember.

3c. Teachers recognize the interconnectedness of content areas.

This was a theme that I saw a lot this week in my observations. I got some really great ideas of how to make this look in my classroom as well.

4e. Teachers integrate and utilize technology in their instruction.  

This week I helped assist my CE in using the Smartboard more for her phonics lessons like I had done previously. I was flattered that she wanted to continue using a resource that I had used during my student teaching.

5b. Teachers link professional growth to their professional goals.

As this semester ends I can see that I have grown tremendously professionally to help meet my goal of being the best teacher that I can be.

My CE and I do not need any additional support from my university supervisor right now.

April 12, 2019

I would rate this week as a 5 out of 5. This week if felt so weird not teaching during the day! We have had a fun week of Easter parties, egg hunts, and Easter centers and crafts.

OBSERVE

This week I went and observed one of the 1st grade teachers in our school as one of my first observations. I really enjoyed this and got to see the different dynamic from kindergarten to 1st grade.

REFLECT

I have been reflecting a lot this week as I am working to put together my video and looking back at all the pictures and videos we have done this year.

FOCUS

This week my main focus was to start organizing all my pictures and videos to make sure I had enough evidence to back up my philosophy.

BE PRODUCTIVE

This week I could have spent more time on my website and starting to video the tutorials of my technologies.

BEGIN ANEW

Next week I want to finalize everything for my portfolio while I have this break to solely work on this.

DATA

Some data that I worked with this week was related to the numbers for next year’s classes. This was looked at and analyzed during our grade level meeting this week.

1b. Teachers demonstrate leadership in the school .

This week I lead by consulting to a first grade teacher and getting to observe half of their day to see some similarities and differences.

2a. Teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults.

This week I focused a lot on just loving on my kids and realizing that in a few weeks I will not be seeing them everyday. I felt I was able to do this more as the assisting role.

3d. Teachers make instruction relevant to students.

I feel like we have really been trying to enforce those 21st century skills into all instruction areas to help better prepare these students for first grade.

4b. Teachers plan instruction appropriate for their students

This week I still helped plan as a grade level for the next few weeks that we have left of school.

5c. Teachers function effectively in a complex, dynamic environment.  

I noticed that even though I was not teaching this week it was much more natural for me to correct students and help with the behavior.

My CE and I do not need any additional support from my university supervisor right now.

April 5, 2019

I would rate this week as a 5 out of 5. I had my 5th and final observation, got all of my standards checked off, and PASSED EDTPA!!!! What a weight that is now lifted off of my shoulders.

OBSERVE

This week I observed some great listeners. After watching my video from my observation I saw how attentive my students have become and just overall how much more mature they are becoming, and better listeners.

REFLECT

This week I really am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Finishing my observations, getting the opportunity to talk and conference with my principal and talk with my university supervisor about the growth that I have shown over the course of the semester. Then reflecting on all the hard word that I have put into my edTPA and then getting that score to prove it.

FOCUS

This week my focus was on making sure I had proof in my binder of all the remaining standards that I needed to get checked off as well as having sufficient evidence in my PDP.

BE PRODUCTIVE

This week I could have spent more time on my portfolio instead of on my binder, but in the weeks to come my portfolio and observations can be my sole purpose.

HAVE COURAGE

This week I had the courage to open that score report from Pearson that revealed my scores. I was so nervous and anxious about these scores.

BEGIN ANEW

Next week I want to finalize who I am going to go observe and where and focus on each element of my portfolio and start getting sections ready to put in my LiveBinder.

DATA

The data that I got to observe this week was related to the MTSS data within our classroom and grade level. This was during our grade level meeting. We analyzed each student from each class to determine if they needed to be moved to a different tier or even be pulled out of their tier plan for next year.  

1c. Teachers lead in the teaching profession.

This week I lead in the teaching profession by getting all of my standards checked off as proficient and working towards finishing my student teaching strong.

2d. Teachers adapt their teaching for the benefit of students with special needs.

This week we got to analyze and pull one of our students out of their tier plan from all the growth observed and documented in their progress monitoring which was such a thrilling moment.

3c. Teachers recognize the interconnectedness of content area disciplines.

This week we incorporated our upcoming zoo field trip with learning about the different types of animals and then where these animals live in Africa.

4b. Teachers plan instruction appropriate for their students

This week we did a lot of hands on learning especially in math where were are working on solving and writing addition and subtraction problems.

5b. Teachers link professional growth to their professional goals.

This week through conferences and edTPA scores I have moved one step closer to my goals of becoming a professional teacher and having a classroom of my own.

My CE and I do not need any additional support from my university supervisor right now.