Weekly Reflection - January 25th

Week of Reflection

Overall, this week was a very difficult week. I enjoyed full time teaching, but it was very overwhelming. I would again rate this week as a three.

This week, I was pleasantly surprised by my students really growing in their knowledge of math! This is the first time I have taught for an extended period of time, and finally seeing students that I have taught grow in their knowledge is very exciting. A lesson I learned this week is the realization that lessons do not always go perfectly, and that you have to be prepared to be flexible. You never know what is going to happen, whether the school has a random event that you didn't know about or a child gets sick in the class, you have to be prepared for anything. My short term goals this week are to be able to successfully implement my behavior plans for the students I have chosen. This aligns with my long-term goal of teaching students to the best of my ability because often students who are behavior problems are not learning to the best of their ability. I could have spent more time this week reflecting on my students' progress. I think this is something I have struggled to make time for, and I need to find time for this. This week, I think apprehension prevented me from fully taking control of the classroom. I still tend to look to my classroom teacher for approval of every step I make, and the students notice this. The first logical step towards next week is to begin printing materials and preparing for my lessons.

This week I had the opportunity to analyze the University of Oregon tests my students took in math. This is a standardized test that they had to take, and I was able to use this data to inform my math small groups for next week.

One piece of advice I can share with student teachers is to continue to remember why you are here. Student teaching is difficult, so you have to remember that you are in this for the students, and that there is a student in you classroom that you are making a difference for. 1a. Teachers lead in their classrooms.

1a. Teachers lead in their classrooms.

This week I have taken responsibility for my students' learning by using the data from my math whole group lessons to plan reteach lessons during small groups.

2b. Teachers embrace diversity in the school community and in the world.

This week I have had the opportunity to teach about culture in Mexico, Africa, and teach about Martin Luther King Jr. This has helped my students see the diversity within our classroom and in the world.

3c. Teachers recognize the interconnectedness of content areas/disciplines.

This week I have had the opportunity to integrate culture in social studies with author's purpose.

4b. Teachers plan instruction appropriate for their students.

This week I have planned small group math instruction that has allowed me to plan differentiated lessons for my groups based on what they need.

5a. Teachers analyze student learning.

This week I was able to analyze the University of Oregon test to inform my small math groups for next week.

1a. Teachers lead in their classrooms.

1a. Teachers lead in their classrooms.

Other:

I have worked on completing my portfolio by signing up for my first professional development! I will be attending a webinar in March that helps me learn strategies for teaching students with learning disabilities. 

My clinical educator and I do not need any support from my university supervisor at this time. 

• • What components of your portfolio have you started to complete?
  • What support does your clinical educator need from your university supervisor?
  • What support do you need from your university supervisor?