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.