Final Week :(

Rate your overall experience of the week: 5

Seven questions to end your week: 

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

After I have officially cried my eyes out, over the fact that my students threw me the best going away party ever, this week was great! Getting to observe different classrooms was so much fun, and I got to see a wide variety of grade levels. I also got to attend the Cleveland County Job Fair, and I got to interview with a lady who use to be the principal at Bethware, so we connected over that fact, and I had a great interview. This week has been amazing, and also finishing up my portfolio, was a huge weight off of my shoulders! This week was fantastic, but I wish I did not have to say good-bye for real to my babies next week. 

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

I did not teach any subjects this week, but I learned a lot from watching my CE, and she was actually using some of the methods that I brought into the classroom, which I thought was really neat! 

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

My long-term goal is to have a job by the end of the school year, and my short-term goal is to talk to the principals of schools that I am interested in. So far, I have talked with two principals backing my hometown about jobs in my area, and handed in my resume. Both of these meetings went very well, and there are going to be quite a few positions opening up as I am entering in. I am so excited! However, they also talked tome about working in the middle schools, and how I felt about that. Honestly, middle schools scare me, but a job is a job and I would do just a bout anything to be able to teach as soon as the next school year starts. 

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

I could have spent more time trying to get my philosophy video uploaded and perfect, but the wifi at Bethware would not allow me to work on that, while I was at school. 

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

I am not very apprehensive about much anymore, I am finally starting to feel like a real professional teacher! I am not afraid to approach people that are older and higher up in the system than me anymore, and that is a wonderful feeling. 

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

I am going to practice, practice, practice what I am going to present for my portfolio. 

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

Students have been doing more progress monitoring this week, and a lot of students have had their scores improves tremendously! 

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

You blink and this experience is over. Take in all the moments that you have, and always give 110%, because I promise you do not want to waste any of these precious moments in the classroom. 

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?

Everything is finished! Praise! 

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

N/A

What support do you need from your university supervisor?

Prayers to finish strong!

Week of 04/10 - 04/14

Rate your overall experience of the week: 5

Seven questions to end your week: 

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

I have nothing to complain about this week. I have gotten a lot finished up on my portfolio, and now I am just in the process of putting it all into my live binder. I do not like not teaching my class though…I get very bored and I miss teaching my students very badly already. I do like that I have a lot of free time to work on the portfolio now, and I really feel like this presentation is going to be great! I am not looking forward to leaving my kids in a few short weeks. I have so many that believe I am going to be their third grade teacher, and I feel like I am crushing their hopes whenever I tell them that it doesn't work like that. However, this has been a great week and we have had a lot of fun with the Easter Egg Hunt and a fun Oreo graph party. I am also looking forward to having my first break since January 1st! I do not even know what I am going to do with myself, not having to be at school for a whole week. 1 month till we graduate! 

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

I have only taught phonics, fluency, WIN this week, and I am only teaching phonics the following week. My CE hates phonics, so I am going to teach it up until the day I leave, which I do not mind, because that is longer that I have getting to teach my babies! What I am building upon next week is creating this philosophy video, because I cannot seem to get any of my videos off of Teachscape. I am having to screencast my videos on Teachacape and then move them into Photo Booth that way. I wish Teachacape would have worked at least one year that I have been here. 

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

My long-term goal is to have a job by the end of the school year, and my short-term goal is to talk to the principals of schools that I am interested in. So far, I have talked with two principals backing my hometown about jobs in my area, and handed in my resume. Both of these meetings went very well, and there are going to be quite a few positions opening up as I am entering in. I am so excited! However, they also talked tome about working in the middle schools, and how I felt about that. Honestly, middle schools scare me, but a job is a job and I would do just a bout anything to be able to teach as soon as the next school year starts. 

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

I could have spent more time trying to get my videos for the philosophy video downloaded, and figured out how to retrieve those now. I honestly should not have put them on Teachscape, because it would have been a lot easier to get them into Photo Booth than it will be now. I have spent the majority of my week emailing back and forth to Teachscape trying to get it figured out, but they seem to have no idea what is happening, so I am having a figure out a way around that. 

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

I really am not apprehensive about anything anymore. I feel very confident in all my teacher decisions, but if I ever have a questions I go straight to my CE, which is something I was scared to do in the beginning of this experience. However, that is what my CE is there for and she only wants me to be the best teacher I can be, and that really is something special.  My CE and I have got really close this past semester, and I believe that is because of all the personal experiences that we have been through. Also, she is going through the National Boards Renewal process, and we have bonded over that, because it is a lot like EdTPA. 

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

I am going make sure everything is in my live binder, and that my video is made and meets the expectations. 

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

Since I am only teaching a few subjects, I let some data drive how I did WIN groups this week, but we changed the groups up again, because my CE wants to get use to not having me with her all the time. 

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

You blink and this experience is over. Take in all the moment s that you have, and always give 110%, because I promise you do not want to waste any of these precious moments in the classroom. 

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?

I have completed everything except the video for the portfolio, and the technology video. 

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

N/A

What support do you need from your university supervisor?

Prayers to finish strong!

Week of 04/03 - 04/07

Rate your overall experience of the week: 4

Seven questions to end your week: 

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

I am giving this week a 4, because I really did not like having to give some of my teaching responsibilities back over to my CE. I thought that I would like having a break, but I was sadly mistaken. I would much rather be in front  of my students doing what I love, rather than working on portfolio pieces in the back of the classroom and observing. However, I love watching my CE teach. She has such a passion and way with the students, that is very inspiring to me. Even after observing her for a year now, I am still learning some different teaching strategies from her, which I believe is going to help shape me to be the best teacher I can be. My CE and I have very similar ays of teaching, but in some other ways we differ completely. I think that it is amaizng to be able to pick that out now, since I have been teaching up until this point. I am so ready to assume a position as a full-time teacher, and have a job and my own class. Also… 1 month, 6 day, 1 hour and 11 minutes till we graduate! That does not even seem possible to me, but I could not be more excited! 

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

This week, my CE and I have been planning our big Easter Egg Hunt, and I honestly did not know how much went into doing something like this. This is for the entire 2nd grade, and my CE is leading the Easter Egg Hunt. Therefore, I was helping her plan what we needed to do, and how to get some TA’s and I outside to hide the Easter Eggs, and what would have to do if it rained. There were so many things to take into account. Also, we are having the Easter Egg Hunt on a awards day, so the students are going to be crazy anyway. This was a great experience to plan something like this with my CE, because now I have experience in planning things such as these. This will help to know exactly whats coming next week to help me build upon that new experience that I gained. 

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

My long-term goal is to have a job by the end of the school year, and my short-term goal is to talk to the principals of schools that I am interested in. So far, I have talked with two principals backing my hometown about jobs in my area, and handed in my resume. Both of these meetings went very well, and there are going to be quite a few positions opening up as I am entering in. I am so excited! However, they also talked tome about working in the middle schools, and how I felt about that. Honestly, middle schools scare me, but a job is a job and I would do just a bout anything to be able to teach as soon as the next school year starts. 

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

I have spent A LOT of time this week working on my portfolio, and I am happy to say that it is coming along and almost finished! I am just adding a few more finishing touches to the portfolio, and I am amazed at how quickly it has come together. I believe that I have used my time that I am not teaching effectively, by working on the portfolio during this time. However, I could have spent more time scheduling observations at five different schools. 

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

I really am not apprehensive about anything anymore. I feel very confident in all my teacher decisions, but if I ever have a questions I go straight to my CE, which is something I was scared to do in the beginning of this experience. However, that is what my CE is there for and she only wants me to be the best teacher I can be, and that really is something special.  

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

I am going make all my videos for my website and portfolio this weekend, that way, I can spend all next week putting everything together and making sure I have all the components. 

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

Students fluency scores have been sky-rocketing, however, their comprehension and writing scores seem to be stagnant. This week during WIN time I am differentiating hard, and I am going to plan lessons that will strengthen those comprehension and writing scores. 

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

Talk to Jesus on the daily. I do not now how people make it through some days without a good chat with Jesus. 

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?

I have completed everything except the video for the portfolio, and the technology video. 

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

N/A

What support do you need from your university supervisor?

Prayers to finish strong!

Week of 03/27 - 03/31

Rate your overall experience of the week: 5

Seven questions to end your week: 

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

I am giving this week a 5! This week I handed back math to my CE. I was super happy that I cold hand math back over first, because that was the first thing I took over, and it has by far been the most challenging. Eureka has been a wonderful experience, but it is so different from the math that I have been taught in school. This was a great experience for me, but I was more than happy to hand that over first. This was the only thing that I handed over this week, because I want to take my time handing over the over subjects. I also had my LAST observation today, and that went really well! I am so excited to see the light at the end of the tunnel shining so brightly now! Also, our baby chickens hatched when I walked in Monday morning!!

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

I have learned throughout this week, that students really enjoy hands-on lessons. Our baby chicken lesson that tied in with the life cycle was so amaizng to watch my students eyes light up whenever they got to hold an actual baby chicken. Students were able to watch the entire chicken life cycle happen before their eyes, and I believe that is a experience that they will never forget. 

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

My long-term goal is to graduate, and right now, having EdTPA finished, I feel as if I am one step closer! My short-term goal is to accomplish this, is to work on my portfolio with everything that I have in me until time to present. I ant everything in my portfolio to be perfect, and reflect what wonderful student teaching semester I have had. 

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

This week I have been running around like crazy! I decided to compete in the Miss GWU pageant so that I can have a chance to represent the school that I love. However, this has taken a big chunk of my time, and I need to be getting back on track and start trying to finish strong again!

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

I used to be very apprehensive about doing different since and social studies lessons, because, my CE would only do weekly readers. There is nothing wrong with just doing weekly readers as long as they tie to a standard, but a lot of the time they really do not. At first, I did not want to do my own science and social studies lessons, but now I do them every single week, and my students love them so much! I am a very hands-on person, so I try to make all of my science and social studies lessons hands-on and fun. I have really enjoyed making up my own lesson plans and gathering my own materials for these lessons. 

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

I am going breathe. I am going to start putting everything together in my portfolio, and hopefully have a bug chunk of that taken care of before the end of next week. 

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

I have noticed a huge change in my behavior student! The data that I have collected from his chart, shows a huge change in his behavior. He actually got every single check on his chart for the first time ever this past Wednesday, and I could not be more proud! This data has showed me that his behavior plan has had a positive impact on his behavior in the classroom. 

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

Just breathe. I promise we can make it through student teaching, and we are going to be great teachers! We will impact so many little lives, and this is the most rewarding job in the entire world! 

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?

Finished resume and have sent that and an application to the Mitchell County School system. I am now staring on putting all of my EdTPA components into my portfolio. 

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

N/A

What support do you need from your university supervisor?

Prayers to finish strong!