Weekly Reflection - April 26th

Seven Questions:

This was the first week that I was only assisting and was not teaching anything. Although I am so glad to be finishing up student teaching and reaching graduation, it is bitter sweet to realize that in a few days I will be leaving these children who have such a special place in my heart. My experience at my placement school has been amazing, and I will miss each and every child and teacher here. Other than the sadness I feel about leaving my class, this week has been wonderful and I would rate it as a 5. This week I was pleasantly surprised by my students being so good after spring break! My CE and I expected the students to be fairly rambunctious when they came back from spring break, but they were wonderful. I think the students all just needed a break, and now they're ready to finish the year. From this experience, I realized that you never know what to expect when teaching little ones. This job is definitely a career of surprises and unexpected events. My short term goal this coming week is to prepare myself to present my portfolio and finish student teaching! This aligns with my long term goal of successfully graduating. This week I could've spent more time taking in the classroom and enjoying my class and students. I don't have much time left with my sweet class, and I need to soak up all the moments I have left.

This week, I helped my CE analyze the data on a math test based on the math we have taught for the entire year. This helped my CE decide what concepts need to be reviewed before the end of the year.

One piece of advice I want to share with other students teachers is to enjoy the time you have left in the classroom. Although this experience has been wearing and difficult, you will miss these children. They will always be your first class.

NCTCS:

Since I was not teaching at all this week, I have observed my CE demonstrating the NCTCS standards.

1b. Teachers demonstrate leadership in the school.
My CE has shown leadership in the school by leading the PBIS meeting this week. I was able to attend to see this leadership and observe how to be a good leader on the PBIS team.

2a. Teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults.
My CE has ensured that all students feel loved and cared for. We have had several students who have been sick this week, and she has ensured that they are taken care of when they are here at school. She has also reached out to parents to check on sick students who are absent.

3c. Teachers recognize the interconnectedness of content areas/disciplines.
My CE has integrated math and social studies this week. She has been teaching about animal habitats in social studies, and has integrated math by having the students find the difference in weight/height/etc of different animals.

4c. Teachers use a variety of instructional methods.
My CE has utilized a variety of instructional methods during small group math to ensure that all students are learning in many different ways.

5a. Teachers analyze student learning.
My CE and I have analyzed the end of year math test that we have given the students to determine what needs to be reviewed before the students move on to third grade.

Other:

This week I have finished my portfolio! My CE and I do not need extra support from my University Supervisor at this time.

Weekly Reflection - April 12th

Seven Questions:

I would rate this week as a 5. It was a wonderful week. This week, I was pleasantly surprised by my students doing such a wonderful job on their field trip today! They were so good and had a great time. From this experience, I learned that there is a lot more to a field trip than meets the eye. The second grade teachers and I met after school several times this week creating a perfect bus seating chart, creating chaperone groups, and planning every detail. This was a wonderful experience for me to be able to have. My short term goal this coming week is to complete my portfolio! This aligns with my long term goal of completing student teaching. This week I could've spent more time working on my portfolio. The first logical step for next week is to continue working on my portfolio.

This week I analyzed my students whole group math tests for the end of the module to see if they were ready to move on to the next module in Eureka.

One piece of advice I want to share with other student teachers is to enjoy spring break! We have all worked so hard. Take time to enjoy what little time we have left as college students.

NC Teacher Candidate Standards:
1a. Teachers lead in their classrooms.
 This week I was able to utilize the test scores from the end of module test my students took to determine if they are prepared to move on to the next module.
2c. Teachers treat students as individuals.
This week I was able to give one of my students alternate assignments during math that were on his level in order to allow him to continue working on the same skill, but at a level that was instructional and not frustrating for him.
3d. Teachers make instruction relevant to students.
This week I was able to make instruction relevant to students by allowing them to go on a nature walk and showing them how our seasons are changing. We then looked at how different places in the world are in a different season right now. 
4c. Teachers use a variety of instructional methods.
This week I was able to use a variety of instructional methods during small group math centers. This included a hands on center, technology center, and teacher center where students worked on the same skill in many different ways.

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

This week I have written my reflection in my portfolio about my goals to help impact the school improvement plan, and how these goals have helped me grow as an educator as well.

Other:

This week I have been working on the website section of my portfolio. I do not believe that my CE or I need extra support from my university supervisor at the moment.

Weekly Reflection - April 5th

Seven Questions:

I would rate this week as a 5. I had a great week! This week, I was pleasantly surprised by getting my edTPA scores back! It feels like such a relief to be officially finished with edTPA and for that to be behind me. From this experience, I learned that hard work pays off, and that Gardner-Webb truly prepared me to do my best and be successful. My short term goal this coming week is to complete the classroom management section of my portfolio. This aligns with my long term goal of successfully completing student teaching! This week, I could've spent more time working on my portfolio. The first logical step for next week is to continue working on my portfolio.

This week I analyzed my students' math assessments in order to help create math intervention groups.

One piece of advice I want to share with other student teachers is to keep pushing through. We have almost made it, so finish the semester strong.

NC Teacher Candidate Standards:
1e. Teachers demonstrate high ethical standards.
 This week I was able to demonstrate high ethical standards by reporting something one of my students told me to our social worker, who then contacted DSS.
2a. Teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults.

This week I was able to talk to a child about some problems she's been facing at home and ensure her that we cared about her and loved her and that she would be safe at school.

3a. Teachers align their instruction with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.

This week I have aligned each of my lessons with the NCTCS.

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 week I used a multiple ways of learning in my small group math centers. 

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

This week I have written my reflection in my portfolio about my professional development opportunities and how this has impacted me.

Other:

This week I have been working on the classroom management section of my portfolio. I do not believe that my CE or I need extra support from my university supervisor at the moment.

Weekly Reflection - April 29th

Seven Questions:

I would rate this week as a 5. I had a great week last week of full time student teaching! This week, I was pleasantly surprised by being observed for the last time. I was able to learn a lot from my post conference, and I was so excited to finally have reached the end of full time student teaching. From this experience, I learned that it is extremely important to use visuals when teaching vocabulary so that students will understand and remember what each vocabulary word means. My short term goal this coming week is to complete my philosophy of education and continue working on the rest of my portfolio. This aligns with my long term goal of successfully completing student teaching! This week, I could've spent more time working on my portfolio. The first logical step for next week is to continue working on my portfolio.

This week I analyzed my students' skill tub post tests that we are working on during WIN time to see if they could move on to a new skill. These skill tubs are separated by specific math/literacy skills, and each student is assigned a skill tub to work on for the entire week based on their data and what they need to specifically work on. The students can choose any games or activities within their skill tub and practice. At the end of the week, the students take a post test to see if they have mastered the skill or if they need to continue working.

One piece of advice I want to share with other student teachers is to use your resources! I am blown away by how much I have learned from just simply asking other people in the school for ideas and advice. Don't be hesitant to ask for help, other people may have great ideas that can help your students tremendously.

NC Teacher Candidate Standards:
1d. Teachers advocate for schools and students.
 This week I was able to advocate for a change in policy for AR rewards at the end of the year alongside my CE and share my ideas for what could help AR be more useful and beneficial in our school.
2c. Teachers treat students as individuals.

This week our nine weeks for AR ended. I was able to meet with students who had not met their goal at the beginning of the week and make goals for each day of the week to help them achieve their AR goal. 

3a. Teachers align their instruction with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.

This week I have aligned each of my lessons with the NCTCS.

4c. Teachers use a variety of instructional methods.

This week I used a variety of instructional methods during WIN with the students' skill tubs in order to help them achieve a skill that they had previously not mastered.

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

This week I have implemented the strategies I found for my professional development plan.

Other:

This week I have been working on taking videos for my portfolio. I do not believe that my CE or I need extra support from my university supervisor at the moment.

Weekly Reflection - March 22nd

Seven Questions:

I would rate this week as a 5. I had a great week at school and the students
were great. This week, I was pleasantly surprised by one of my students
moving out of tier 3 reading! From this experience, I learned that intervention
is so important to help a child catch up. This has helped this child tremendously,
and it is evident how it helps students improved. My short term goal this coming
week is to strongly finish my full time student teaching next week.This aligns with
my long term goal of being the best student teacher I can be for my students. This
week, I could've spent more time working on preparing for my lessons. Although I had
everything prepared, I sometimes felt overwhelmed this week due to some schedule
changes. I think spending even more time preparing after my schedule changed this
week would've helped me feel less frazzled. The first logical step for next week is to
continue working on my portfolio.

This week I analyzed my students' text feature tests in order to decide whether or
not they are ready to move on next week.

One piece of advice I want to share with other student teachers is to keep powering
through, but always take a minute to look back and see how much your students have
grown. Realizing where my students started and seeing how far they've come always
warms my heart, and I don't think I always take enough time to see how much they've
grown.

NC Teacher Candidate Standards:

1c. Teachers lead the teaching profession.
This week I was able to help my grade level begin to make decisions for what
teacher our students should be placed with in third grade. This was based on
who we felt our students' personalities would fit well with, who could and could
not be in the same class, as well as what they need academically.
2e. Teachers work collaboratively with the families and significant adults in the
lives of their students.

This week I have contacted the parent of a student who has recently become behavior
problems. I was able to collaborate with this parent and come up with a plan to help this child
improve.

3a. Teachers align their instruction with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.

This week I have aligned each of my lessons with the NCTCS.

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 week I used different games and hands on activities during WIN to help each student
work on specific skills they were struggling with. This was specific to each child.

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

This week I have implemented the strategies I found for my professional development plan.

Other:

This week I have been working on revising my philosophy for my portfolio. I do not believe that
my CE or I need extra support from my university supervisor at the moment.

Weekly Reflection - March 15th

Seven Questions:

I would rate this week as a 5. I had a great week at school and it was nice to finally plan without edTPA hanging over my head! This week, I was pleasantly surprised by my CE doing an observation for me. I was able to have a post conference with her and learn about what I did well and what I can improve on. From this experience, I learned that ensuring that you keep the students motivated and engaged is extremely important. My short term goal this coming week is to prepare lessons that are extremely engaging and fun for the students. This aligns with my long term goal of allowing my students to learn to the best of their ability. This week, I could've spent more time working on my portfolio. This deadline is going to start approaching quickly and it is time to really start focusing on the portfolio. The first logical step for next week is to continue working on my portfolio.

This week I analyzed my students math assessments in order to place specific students in math intervention.

One piece of advice I want to share with other student teachers is to help your students to always feel smart and as if you believe they can do anything. Creating this environment in the classroom can completely change a students experience in school.

NC Teacher Candidate Standards:
1a. Teachers lead in their classrooms. 
 This week I was able to lead in my classroom by evaluating my students' grades each day to determine what I needed to do to help students who had no mastered the topics improve.
2a. Teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults.

This week I encountered a situation where a little girl in my class was having some dental problems that were really hurting her, and this situation was not being taken care of at home. I was able to help care for this child by ensuring she was seen by the nurse and that the school became involved in this situation.

3a. Teachers align their instruction with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.

This week I have aligned each of my lessons with the NCTCS.

4c. Teachers use a variety of instructional methods.

This week I used a variety of instructional methods in small and whole group math in order to help students learn money skills.

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

This week I have implemented the strategies I found for my professional development plan.
Other:
This week I have been working on taking videos for my portfolio. I do not believe that my CE or I need extra support from my university supervisor at the moment.

Weekly Reflection - March 8th

Seven Questions:

I would rate this week as a 3. I had a great week at school, but I was very stressed completing edTPA at the beginning of the week, which left less time to plan my lessons. This week, I was pleasantly surprised by my principal coming to observe me! She wanted to give me the experience of having a principal observation, and I was very appreciative of this opportunity. From this experience, I learned that ensuring that you positively praise students that have previously been redirected is so important, and that this makes a huge difference in the motivation of the students.. My short term goal this coming week is to rearrange my WIN time to where it is more beneficial for all students, specifically those that fall in the middle. This aligns with my long term goal of allowing my students to learn to the best of their ability. This week, I could've spent more time preparing for my lessons each day. Since edTPA submission day was this week, a lot of my attention had been on perfecting my edTPA. The first logical step for next week is to begin working on my portfolio!

This week I analyzed my students comprehension tests in order to decide who needs to be placed in reading intervention next week.

One piece of advice I want to share with other student teachers is to always give your best, even when you're stressed and exhausted. You never know what your students have been through, and you may be the only one that makes them feel loved and cared for.

NC Teacher Candidate Standards:
1b. Teachers demonstrate leadership in the school.
 This week I was able to share an idea about WIN time with my grade level that helps my students all have their needs met. We are all working together to make this happen.
2e. Teachers work collaboratively with the families and significant adults in the lives of their students.This week we had parent teacher conferences and were able to work with families to decide the best plan for each of their students to improve.
3a. Teachers align their instruction with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.

This week I have aligned each of my lessons with the NCTCS.

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 week I have planned new math group centers that allow the students to work with money in multiple ways. 

5b. Teachers link professional growth to their professional goals.This week I have worked on using the strategies I have researched for my PDP.
Other:
This week I have been working more on my website for my portfolio. I do not believe that my CE or I need extra support from my university supervisor at the moment.

Weekly Reflection - March 1st

Seven Questions:

I would rate this week as a 3. I had a good week at school, but I got hit very hard with the stomach bug yesterday which has made for a very unpleasant end to my week. This week, I was pleasantly surprised by some of my tier two reading students doing so well on their TRC testing! I have two students who are required to receive in class intervention every week. My CE completed TRC testing on the class this week, and these two students have grown tremendously! It is so exciting to see the students growing after they've worked so hard. From this experience, I learned that intervention is so important, and that some students simply need a little extra attention to a skill each week in order to be successful. My short term goal this week has still been to continue working and completing edTPA, which aligns with my long term goal of being licensed to be a teacher. This week, I could've spent more time preparing for my lessons each day. Since edTPA submission day is quickly approaching, a lot of my attention been on perfecting my edTPA. Therefore, I have not had as much time to prepare for my students as I would like. The first logical step for next week is to complete my edTPA and to have it ready to turn in on Tuesday!

This week I analyzed my students math quizzes in order to reform my math small groups.

One piece of advice I want to share with other student teachers is to remember the difference we are making in the lives of our students. They are the reason we are working so hard. We are touching the lives of students.

NC Teacher Candidate Standards:

1a. Teachers lead in their classrooms.

 This week I was able to lead in my classroom by ensuring all students were learning and growing. I did this by analyzing my test data and pulling students that needed assistance for intervention groups. 

2e. Teachers work collaboratively with the families and significant adults in the lives of their students.

This week I encountered some behavior problems from a student that generally does not act up during class. I was able to collaborate with his parents to figure out why this problem was occurring and to put a stop to it. 

3d. Teachers make instruction relevant to students.

This week I was able to make my social studies teaching of landforms relevant to students by relating it to their vacations. I did this by allowing students to bring in pictures from their vacations to share. I was able to point out different landforms in each location. 

4c. Teachers use a variety of instructional methods.

This week I was able to use a variety of instructional methods during guided reading. I was able to find different leveled books to teach the same topic to all students so that the AIG students were pushed while the lower students were able to learn on their level. 

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

This week I was able to participate in staff professional development where we learned about the behavior management strategy "STOIC." This is a checklist for environmental management that teachers can use to ensure that they are doing everything to promote a positive environment where behavior problems are lessened. 

Other:

This week I have been working more on the videos I need for my portfolio. I do not believe that my CE or I need extra support from my university supervisor at the moment.

Weekly Reflection - February 22nd

Seven Questions to End the Week:

  This week has been very stressful, mostly because of edTPA coming up! Due to this, I would rate my week as a 3. This week, i was pleasantly surprised by my students' ability to work together to create a map! My students worked together in collaborative teams to create a map of Kings Mountain. This was done as an assessment of what they've learned about maps (including symbols and directions) throughout the week. I was a slightly nervous about this project, but my students proved to be capable of working together to create symbols, a key, and even questions for other groups to answer about the directions of different places on their maps. This taught me that seven year olds are often capable of much more than I tend to realize. My short term goal this coming week is to continue to push my students to make sure I am challenging them. This aligns with my long term goal of helping my students learn to their highest potential. This week, I could've spent more time working on edTPA. I am hoping to use this weekend to finish everything so that I can just polish my writing next week. The due date is coming up fast! Apprehension almost caused me to not plan for the students to create a map for social studies, and I am so glad that I decided to try this activity anyway. My students absolutely loved getting to create maps in teams, and it was a great activity. The first logical step for next week is to continue working and perfecting my edTPA!

This week, I analyzed my students' progress monitoring data in order to regroup my guided reading groups. 

One piece of advice I would share this week is to keep pushing through and always remember why you're doing this! We are so close to becoming teachers and gaining our own classrooms!

NCTCS Standards:

Standard 1d: Teachers advocate for schools and students.

This week I have advocated for my students by recommending my students who need extra support for tier two and tier three during MTSS meetings for our grade level.

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

This week I have adapted my teaching for one of my students in EC so that he was able to join the whole group but was also able to complete work on his level.

Standard 3d. Teachers make instruction relevant to students.

I connected learning to students by showing them maps of Kings Mountain while we learned about maps and symbols during social studies. 

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 week I was able to use multiple ways of learning through small math group centers. The students used technology, hands on activities, and manipulatives.

Standard 5a. Teachers analyze student learning.

This week I have analyzed the progress monitoring data in order to inform my guided reading groups. 

This week I have worked on the videos/pictures I need for my portfolio. My clinical educator and I do not need any extra support from my university supervisor at the moment. 

Weekly Reflection - February 15th

Seven questions to end your week:

This week went very well, and I would rate it as a 5! I am getting better at writing my lessons, which means it is not taking me nearly as much time. I am also very comfortable in my classroom, so teaching every day has become easier as well! This week, I accomplished getting through a week with two celebration days! I was very worried since this week we celebrated both the 100th day of school and Valentine's Day. Any adjustment to my class's schedule throws my students off for the week. Although it was a difficult week for behavior, I was able to get through it without too many bumps in the road. This week, I learned that it is extremely important to engage the students, especially on days that their mind is other places. On Valentine's Day, I had to work a lot harder to engage my students, and I believe that having more effective hooks in my lessons could've helped with this. I will implement more engaging activities and hooks in the future. My short term efforts this week have been to complete task two for edTPA. This aligns with my long term goal of completing and passing edTPA to become licensed. This week I could've spent less time worrying and stressing about the students not listening or behaving this week! I was very worried since this was a crazy week, but I was more capable of handling it than I realized. The first logical steps for next week are to begin working on task three of my edTPA commentary.

This week, I analyzed my students' work on shapes based on their independent work and their quizzes in order to form intervention groups for next week. 

NCTCS

1c. Teachers lead the teaching profession.

This week I have worked on standard 1c by sharing tech tools with my grade level. My students have been using storyjumper.com to create a book the past few weeks, and I was able to share that with my grade level. 

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

This week I have adapted my math instruction for a student with special needs by providing him work on the same topic, but on a first grade level.

3a. Teachers align their instruction with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.

This week I have aligned all of my lesson plans with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.

4c. Teachers use a variety of instructional methods.

 This week, almost all of our work has been connected to Valentine's Day or the 100th day of school. This helped me to be creative and use a variety of instructional methods to make learning both fun and productive throughout the week. 

5a. Teachers analyze student learning.

This week I have analyzed my students' work on shapes to determine who needs to be put in my intervention group next week. 

Other:This week I have been working on rewriting my philosophy and editing it to reflect what I have learned as a teacher. I do not believe my CE or I need any extra support from my university supervisor at this time.

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