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!