Cooperating Teacher Assessment and Participant Self-Assessment
Nov 2007 | Filed in: Professional
| Decision Point
3
This artifact demonstrates my ability to be a
reflective practitioner who is able to accept
constructive feedback from others as well as
critically analyze myself. This artifact is an
assessment from my participation at East Side
Middle School in Anderson as required for EDJHM
385. This artifact includes my cooperating
teacher’s assessment as well as my assessment of
myself when I taught a three-day unit on
Communication Technology. As I continue on through
my pre-service teacher education and enter the
field of education, the best way for me to improve
is to listen to others’ feedback, as well as my
own. Through this feedback I have valuable
information about what I need to improve, what I do
well, and how to implement those changes.
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artifact
Lesson Plans and Teaching Analyses
This artifact is a unit that I taught at East Side
Middle School in Anderson, IN. I developed and
taught a three-day unit on Communication Technology
to 8th grade students. This artifact aligns with
INTASC Principles 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 because I
needed a firm knowledge of the subject matter so
that the information I taught was accurate. I
applied knowledge of the developmental stages of
the students. With limited knowledge of the
students’ backgrounds and personalities I tried to
present the content in a way that was interesting
to them. I also used examples that they were
familiar with because of the time in which they
grew up. I planned to teach a lot of information in
three days. My plans did not always work as I had
planned so I had to adjust. At the end of the unit
I administered a multiple-choice exam to assess
students’ learning. However, throughout the lessons
I checked for understanding by soliciting student
responses and interaction. And at the end of each
lesson I would reflect on what worked well and what
I could have done better. I then took those key
points and implemented those techniques the next
day. This unit gave me the opportunity to showcase
my ability to design, teach, assess, and revise a
curricular unit in a real-world experience.
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artifact
Technology Policy at Wes-Del Community Schools
Jun 2005 | Filed in: Computer
Education
rationale View
artifact
Service Learning Summary
Apr 2005 | Filed in: Professional
| Decision Point
2
This artifact is a service learning summary that I
wrote as a holistic look at my experience serving
at Motivate Our Minds (MOMs). I volunteered once a
week for two hours at a time tutoring students in
this after-school program. I had to develop
creative ways to motivate students to work on
homework outside of the classroom. I also reflected
on my techniques in motivation and tutoring to
encourage students to continue working to improve.
I was also working with students in the community
who came from different elementary schools and
encouraging a community environment. Through this
experience I learned how to worked with younger
students in an environment that wasn't so much like
a traditional school. View
artifact
Parodies of Dr. Seuss Lesson Plan
This is a lesson plan that I wrote to teach
students about parodies by having them write
parodies of Dr. Seuss stories. This lesson required
that I have a solid knowledge of the content as
well as knowing where students are developmentally.
There are also multiple instructional strategies
used in this lesson which help motivate students by
tapping into their personal interests. I spent a
lot of time planning how to teach the less and make
it a feasible time frame. Assessment techniques are
different in this lesson because of the nature of
the project. Throughout the development of this
lesson I continually reflected on the ways in which
I would teach the unit. This unit was my first
attempt at a unit that spanned more than one day. I
know that in the future I will employ many of these
techniques to develop better and more useful
lessons. View
artifact
Education Reform Movements
Dec 2004 | Filed in: Professional
| Decision Point
1
This artifact is a representation that shows that I understand certain INTASC standards. In this particular artifact, I address the issues of education reform movements that forces educators, parents, and students to deal with standards that are imposed upon the educational community as a result of these reform efforts. These movements relate to INTASC Principles 9 and 10. INTASC Principle 9 discusses the educator's ability to constantly reflect on their teaching methods, strategies, and effectiveness in their students' learning. INTASC Principle 10 discusses the educator's ability to develop and nurture relationships with "school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support students' learning and well-being."
This artifact demonstrates my growing competence in educational reform. With a broader and deeper understanding of the standards that are being placed upon educational institutions today, I will better know how to implement them into my classroom. I can then effectively teach to the standards and help ensure that I and my students are meeting the standards' requirements. If I am unable to reflect on my own practices and methodologies in my teaching, then I will be unable to improve. And if I cannot foster relationships with the larger community, I am lacking in a very important aspect of teaching.
Some strengths that I have with these standards are my understanding of the basic ideas behind the standards and their purpose. I understand more easily how they can be implemented into my teaching methodologies. And I also understand why it is important to follow the standards. Since these standards are written with the intent of every child receiving the same education, it is important that all teachers understand the standards that are imposed upon them.
Some weaknesses that I have are the ability to create and foster community and professional relationships that will be most beneficial to my students. It is also important for me to build relationships with colleagues and other people to help me in my teaching experiences. Simply because I earn my undergrad degree in English Education, does not mean that I all of the sudden I stop learning. Learning is a life-long process and is constantly influencing our decisions. Developing these relationships will prove to be a challenge. View artifact