Showcase: Introduction
Education is an element of life that will remain of great importance to me. I am just now beginning to understand how both my philosophy for education and also roles and responsibilities continue to evolve as I continue to grow as person. Learning opportunities that I find to support goals contribute to this growth and development. I look now at the student, educator and person I am and see that each of these roles contributes to the resources I bring to the classroom. Below are samples that illustrate my beliefs in these roles.
Professional Showcase
Educator
The work included in this showcase category are items that have been developed or modified to use within my classroom or share with colleagues. They have been developed to support my teaching practices and enhance the learning experiences of students.
In a digital age providing a working teacher website that can be a helpful tool to students, parents, and me is essential. There are a variety of platforms available for educators to use as way of communicating, posting helpful resources and allowing students to contribute in their own creative way. I’ve effectively implemented Wikispaces as a communication tool for parents and students to update them on homework, projects and other deadlines. We also use Wikispaces as our primary science reference and work space for collaboration. For each topic we have a variety of videos, websites and notes that students can reference any time. Students often create team pages when working on group projects.
Universally teachers seek out tools and resources that can positively enhance student’s learning experience. Spending time searching to find the right tech tools specifically can be a lengthy task. Developing a resource library helped me organize tools an resources I had found or had been introduced to me. I spent time analyzing and reviewing specific tools found as way to help students and colleagues understand the pros and cons and how they can be used effectivel. The resource library I created is based on math more specifically tools to support understanding concepts of fractions.
Student Interview
Inquiry Lesson Plan
To support the teaching of scientific inquiry two items of this showcase are included. These items introduced me to a new data collection method for scientific knowledge and a ways to use the data to plan and implement and inquiry based lesson sequence that incorporated the students developing and understanding of the nature of science. Before lesson planning interviews were conducted with a sample group of students from my classes. Their responses to probing questions developed specific concepts to be addressed in the lesson sequence. Also included with both interview and lesson sequence is a report of the findings and in essence the next steps to take.
Professional Development Outline
Professional development (PD) is a concept educators know of all too well. I generally find PD sessions most beneficial when they are delivered by a knowledgeable educator that has the experience or is currently working with the skill. Developing PD sessions with colleagues can yield a rich learning experience for others as more than one viewpoint can be shared on a practice. This showcase item was developed collaboratively with a colleague. It is an intended PD session on content area literacy with a focus on incorporating technology to support this instruction. Resources and background information are included and the PD is designed to be delivered to either small or large groups.
Student
This category includes a few showcase items that highlight what I felt were big moments in my coursework. They can be considered big moments because it was evident that I was growing as a professional. Throughout different course requirements for the MAED there are some assignments and activities we participated in that stretch us, much like we try to do with our own students. ​
Student Data Analysis
The ability to use data to drive instruction is a necessity. This student data analysis demonstates my ability to analyze a students reading ability based on multiple assessments. Some of my work experience has required all teachers no matter what content area they primarliy teach to serve as a reading interventionist for small groups of students. Therefore maintaining the ability to gather and analyze reading assessment data is a priority. Even though my job title is math and science I still possess the necessary skill to serve students in all content areas reflective in my certification areas.
Educational Inquiry
This showcase item is especially important because the essay captures beyond the necessity for positive teacher-student relationships. Through the study of cutting edge eductors dating back to the origin of formal education. Understanding the needs and wants of any learner including myself is of great importance. Teacher inquiry is and was a relatively unfamiliar concept. As I continue my career as a teacher what Vivian Paley, the author of the book The Girl with the Brown Crayon, defines and describes teacher inquiry to be is what good teaching looks like. Both the book and essay serve as a reminder of what I start out the year to do.
Person
Below you will find items selected to showcase that support the growth I have made. Taking on different responsibilities in and outside of the classroom as well as finding ways to support other people including my colleagues.
Technology Vision
Teaching in a digital age to digital learners is both challenging and fun. Not everyone embraces the digital learners with the same understanding and the same vision of moving forward. Becoming both a leader and advocate for digital learners is ultimately a big part of my teaching philosophy. Part of being a leader is have a clear vision for those that I desire to lead. This piece I am showcasing is a tool to share with students, parents, other staff members so they understand what vision I have in mind and how I can support them as a leader.
Leadership
While working towards my MAED I moved from the isolated roles of educator, student and person and understanding how truly the title of teacher blends those three defining characteristics together. Leadership is another role I strive to achieve, both a leader in the classroom and a leader among peers. The brief video clip was created as an informational reference for others striving to be leaders and what is necessary to know before you can lead, . These ideas are drawn from a reading by John Hattie, Visible learning: A synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses relating to achievement, primarily the focus of the video clip are on factors that affect teaching and learning. For the presentations slides click here.
Clipart Courtesy of Wix