Week 02/06 - 02/10

Rate your overall experience of the week: 3 

Seven questions to end your week:

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

I have had a very surprising week! My CE’s mother was rushed to the Emergency Room Friday afternoon, so I was alone in the classroom for half a day Friday. They then put my CE’s mom into Hospice care, so my CE has been with her mom all week, and I have had a sub all week long. Also, my assistant teacher was out sick until this Thursday! My CE usually helps me to plan for the next week in advance,so I had double the duty this week. However, it was a real taste of what actually having my own classroom is going to be like. I have been so stressed out this week, because I did not want to mess anything and I wanted my CE to be proud of how I have ran the classroom since she has been out. I have came into school at 7:20 everyday and have not left until 5 or later…this has been an exhausting week. My students have been so wonderful to me though, except for Thursday when they were the worst they have ever been. 

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

I have learned that if my CE is not there to help me plan, I have to come up with a lot of the material all on my own, and that has made writing my lessons slow down a lot, but they will get done.

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

My long-term goal is improve my students TRC scores when they take it for one final time in may. My short term goal right now is to differentiate the WIN groups, so that I can have a chance to work independently with every group on their TRC skills. We have still yet to find a WIN group set up that works for the whole class. Most things we try end in disaster, but we are going to keep trying. 

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

I needed to spend time working on my EdTPA, because at this point I feel super behind. I also should have spent more time arranging my behavior plan for my student, but that is kind of hard to do when your CE is out. 

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

I had a really hard time picking out what kind of lessons I wanted to teach next week, because I have all the data form the tests that are going to help me form next weeks lessons, but actually finding the materials and making the materials up is more difficult than I imagined. 

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

I am calling am CE first thing Monday morning and we will be discussing what I need to work on for the following week and then when would be best for EdTPA. 

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

I had 6 students pass a Eureka Module Quiz this past Wednesday…that being the case, I have changed all my skill review time to being items that all the students needed to work on form that quiz, because everyone was struggling. 

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

Sometimes surprises hit you out of nowhere, and you feel like you will have no idea what to do. Have a couple of lesson plans a week planned, just in case you have extra time that needs to be filled with instruction, instead of just wasted time. I had a lot of examples of that this week, because some of the lessons were not working at all, and I juts had to switch topics, because the students were getting way to confused. 

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.

I am the full-time teacher now. I know that it is my job to lead in my classroom every single day. When something does not goes as planned or something happens with a student in my classroom, it is now my responsibility to lead and take care of whatever is happening. I am leading 21 little life in classroom, and that is on of the greatest responsibilities. 

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.

Teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults. I hope I always establish this kind of enviroment for my students, but I think this week I really understood what that meant. I want my students to feel safe and happy in my classroom, and the way portray myself and handle situations. I want to focus on being the best role model that I can possibly be for my students. 

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.

Teachers align their instruction with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. This week while writing my lesson plans, I made sure that I aligned the content that I was teaching with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. I also discussed with my CE about if I was on the right track with the standards or not.

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.

Teachers use a variety of instructional methods. I have facilitated learning in different ways than my CE normally does this week, and my students love it. I am implementing technology into almost every one of my lessons, and my students are becoming more and more engaged. 

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.

Teachers analyze student learning. Like I mentioned before, my teacher has a great way for me to easily look at class data, and figure out what I need to do to strengthen student learning. Also, I am reflecting on my teaching practice by using the #ObserveMe in my classroom for my colleagues to give me feedback on my teaching and how I can strengthen that. 

Other:

What components of your portfolio have you started to complete?

Working on website, portfolio and resume. 

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

N/A

What support do you need from your university supervisor?

Prayer for my CE and her family, please.