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• Rate your overall experience of the week: 1 - Very difficult | 5 - Great week. 

I would rate my overall experience of this week as a 4 out of a 5. I feel pretty good about what I have planned this week, I have received great feedback that I will take with me into next week as I plan. I feel a bit more confident and I am getting more and more excited to come out of quarantine and be in front of my students. 

• Seven questions to end your week:

1. Observe: What pleasant surprises/ accomplishments did I achieve this week?

The pleasant surprise I got this week was being complimented on the lesson plans I submitted to my ce. 

Although she gave me several ways I could grow she made reference to several glows as well and she mentioned that she couldn't wait to see me teach the lessons I have worked on.

2. Reflect: What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week?

This week, my experiences taught me to be organized and always thinking ahead in the planning process.

3. Focus: How are my short-term efforts and my long-term goals still aligned?

Learning how to construct flip charts to assist my instruction through active inspire has taken some time to learn but I can see it as a great asset to my instruction in the future.

4. Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing?

I spent a great amount of time devoted to planning and organization this week, and very little time with family or on self-care. I need to find a balance.

5. Have Courage: How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn't do?

I think apprehension held me back a bit in my planning. I was working late, had ideas about several lessons, but felt like I needed approval from my ce before planning. I waited until the following day to reach out to her at a more appropriate time and it put me behind. She encouraged me to have more confidence in myself and my planning abilities.

6. Begin Anew: What is the first logical step(s) for next week? What mental clutter can I clear?

The first logical steps for next week are getting organized and start early. Mental clutter I can clear is transforming the little voice of doubt into a louder voice of confidence. 

• What were some data you analyzed this week and how did it help guide your decisions? 
• NC Professional Teaching Standards             

1. Pick an element from standard one of the evaluation tools and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.

1a. Teachers lead in their classrooms. Teachers demonstrate leadership by taking responsibility for the progress of all students to ensure that they graduate from high school, are globally competitive for work and postsecondary education, and are prepared for life in the 21st century. Teachers communicate this vision to their students. Using a variety of data sources, they organize, plan, and set goals that meet the needs of the individual student and the class. Teachers use various types of assessment data during the school year to evaluate student progress and to make adjustments to the teaching and learning process. They establish a safe, orderly environment, and create a culture that empowers students to collaborate and become lifelong learners.

-I have chosen this standard because several of my lessons I planned for this week included cultural awareness. Helping students to see a world outside of their present community and culture makes them more globally minded and more prepared for life in the 21st century.

2. Pick an element from standard two of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.

2b. Teachers embrace diversity in the school community and in the world. Teachers demonstrate their knowledge of the history of diverse cultures and their role in shaping global issues. They actively select materials and develop lessons that counteract stereotypes and incorporate histories and contributions of all cultures. Teachers recognize the influence of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, and other aspects of culture on a student’s development and personality. Teachers strive to understand how a student’s culture and background may influence his or her school performance. Teachers consider and incorporate different points of view in their instruction.

 -This standard is appropriate because in one of my lessons we learn about the culture of the Inuit indigenous people who live in the Arctic and how they do not like to be called Eskimos.

3. Pick an element from standard three of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.

3b. Teachers know the content appropriate to their teaching specialty. Teachers bring a richness and depth of understanding to their classrooms by knowing their subjects beyond the content they are expected to teach and by directing students’ natural curiosity into an interest in learning. Elementary teachers have broad knowledge across disciplines. Middle school and high school teachers have depth in one or more specific content areas or disciplines.

-This week's lessons build on students' natural curiosity of animals we tend to think about in the winter. Polar bears and penguins are two animals we would discuss and learn more about their habitat, size, what they eat, different types, etc.

4. Pick an element from standard four of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.

4d. Teachers integrate and utilize technology in their instruction. Teachers know when and how to use technology to maximize student learning. Teachers help students use technology to learn content, think critically, solve problems, discern reliability, use information, communicate, innovate, and collaborate.

-This week I use a variety of technology through accessing nature videos, listening to read alouds, making charts, and listening to songs and stories from Letterland. 

5. Pick an element from standard five of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.

5c. Teachers function effectively in a complex, dynamic environment. Understanding that change is constant, teachers actively investigate and consider new ideas that improve teaching and learning. They adapt their practice based on research and data to best meet the needs of their students.

Through my lesson planning during my time a GWU I haven't used active inspire because I didn't have access to it, but I have learned how to integrate flip charts into my lessons and see how effective it is to monitor and keep my instruction on track. 

• Other: 
• What components of your portfolio have you started to complete?  School Improvement Plan, Global Awareness
• What support does your clinical educator need from Mrs. Suttle? None at this time.
• What support do you need from Mrs. Suttle? None at this time.

 

• Rate your overall experience of the week: 1 - Very difficult | 5 - Great week. 

I would rate my overall experience of this week at a 3. Still being in quarantine presents challenges on how I can manage my student teaching responsibilities. The planning template we are asked to use is very overwhelming especially when planning for a week of instruction but I do understand in part why we are asked to use it. Differentiation continues to be a struggle of mine. I know that most always you will scaffold your lessons to build on prior understanding and allow for the opportunity for students to practice what they have just learned. However, many times you don't know how a lesson is going to be received until it's taught and it is at that moment that you tend to make a  differentiated plan.

Seven questions to end your week:

1. Observe: What pleasant surprises/ accomplishments did I achieve this week?

On Thursday and Friday, I was able to complete Math and literacy lessons which resulted in a 45-page lesson plan doc for my CE to teach next week.

2. Reflect: What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week?

I need to work on the closure of my lesson plans and continue to think about ways to differentiate instruction.

3. Focus: How are my short-term efforts and my long-term goals still aligned?

I think planning for Math and Literacy this week will be a good foundation for planning all subjects in the weeks to come.

4. Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing?

I could have spent more time working on my edTPA at the beginning of the week when I had a little extra time.

5. Have Courage: How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn't do?

Apprehension and indecision impacted what I did this week by lengthening the planning process for my lesson plans. I tend to second guess myself when I should just go with my gut, to begin with.

6. Begin Anew: What is the first logical step(s) for next week? What mental clutter can I clear?

Getting better organized about when I will teach my edTPA and when what, and how I will begin taking on the full teaching experience upon my return. Mental clutter I can clear is last week is gone, take what I learned forward but leave the stress that belonged to that week in the past.

• What were some data you analyzed this week and how did it help guide your decisions? 
• NC Professional Teaching Standards             

1. Pick an element from standard one of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.

I have chosen 1c. teachers lead the teaching profession. Because of our assignment on our school's improvement plan this week, I am more aware of the goals my school has established for improvement. I can now aid in this effort of improvement through my instruction in the classroom.

2. Pick an element from standard two of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.

I have chosen 2d. Teachers adapt their teaching for the benefit of students with special needs because through the planning process this week this was a subject I struggled with but gave a lot of thought to as well.

3. Pick an element from standard three of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.

I have chosen 3b teachers know the content appropriate to their teaching specialty. (Encourages students to investigate the content area to expand their knowledge and satisfy their natural curiosity) Through the use of manipulative and asking (HOT) questions through my lesson plans aids in investigating, expanding, and satisfying natural curiosity.

4. Pick an element from standard four of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.

I have chosen 4c teachers use a variety of instructional methods because through my planning this week I used manipulatives, Letterland stories, songs, chants, (HOT) questions, and books to provide varying instruction.

5. Pick an element from standard five of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.

I have chosen 5c teachers function effectively in a complex, dynamic environment. I used research-based strategies throughout my planning this week such as scaffolding, Bloom's taxonomy, and manipulatives.

• Other: 
• What components of your portfolio have you started to complete? None
• What support does your clinical educator need from Mrs. Suttle? None
• What support do you need from Mrs. Suttle? None

• Rate your overall experience of the week: 1 - Very difficult | 5 - Great week. 

I would rate my overall experience of this week as being a 2. I have had a hard week. A few of my struggles have been being in quartine and not being able to be at school with my CE to collaborate and get my head wrapped around what I will soon teach my students. My CE has been very supportive, patient, and willing to talk with me via zoom or by phone but it's far more difficult being in two different places. Another struggle is that our students are presently remote learning and will soon come back hybrid. Our schedule has changed continually this school year and nothing seems consistent, and this gives me anxiety with future planning. Lastly, if all this isn't enough, the stress of edTPA is looming and trying to figure out if I need to write my lesson plans for teaching virtually or face to face in a hybrid situation is the icing on the cake. 

• Seven questions to end your week:

1. Observe: What pleasant surprises/accomplishments did I achieve this week?

A pleasant accomplishment I achieved this week was coming up with a long-range plan with my CE. This offers some calm to the storms of life and guidance for the coming weeks.

2. Reflect: What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week?

Take one thing at a time and do it well, instead of halfway doing multiple things.

3. Focus: How are my short-term efforts and my long-term goals still aligned?

My short-term efforts and my long-term goals still align by "slow and steady wins the race."

4. Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing?

I could have spent more time writing and organizing my thoughts on paper and making tangible weekly goals. This would have helped to keep me on task much better and I would have accomplished more in the long run. With so many things going on I find myself scattered and in turn accomplishing nothing. I need to spend less time thinking about everything and devise a plan for one thing at a time.

5. Have Courage: How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn't do?

Apprehension and indecision impacted me this week by not doing a read-aloud virtually with my students. I had a thought to ask my CE if I could schedule a read-aloud time with our student in the afternoon on zoom, however not acting on that thought caused my students and I to miss out on a learning opportunity for both of us.

6. Begin Anew: What is the first logical step(s) for next week? What mental clutter can I clear?

My CE and I decided I would pick up teaching math virtually on zoom next week to our students. The first logical steps will be to compose lesson plans and be prepared mentally to teach. Mental clutter I can clear is that I can't and replace it with yes I can!

• What were some data you analyzed this week and how did it help guide your decisions?
• NC Professional Teaching Standards             

1. Pick an element from standard one of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.

1e. Teachers demonstrate high ethical standards. Teachers demonstrate ethical principles including honesty, integrity, fair treatment, and respect for others. 

One of my responsibilities, while I telework from home, is to check student portfolios through Class Dojo. I respond to each student respectfully and view each of their work through a fair lens.

2. Pick an element from standard two of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.

2c. Teachers treat students as individuals.

When responding to students/parents through Class Dojo, I tried to personalize my responses and reference some things of interest to each individual student.

 

3. Pick an element from standard three of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.

3b. Teachers know the content appropriate to their teaching specialty. 

When talking with my CE this week about the first subject I would pick up, I immediately chose math, because I am much stronger in this area than others. I have also been preparing for the upcoming math lessons I will teach this week to ensure I know the content well.

4. Pick an element from standard four of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.

4c. Teachers use a variety of instructional methods.

In planning math lessons for the coming week, I will use a variety of instructional methods to engage the students. I will use questions, a flip chart with movable manipulative, and students will use manipulative sent home before remote learning.

5. Pick an element from standard five of the evaluation tool and explain some activities/strategies you implemented this week to increase your rating for the element.

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

Through daily observations of my CE, I am learning new strategies and skills to use while teaching my students effectively. 

• Other: 
• What components of your portfolio have you started to complete? 

My focus has been completing Task 1 of edTPA presently, I have not started completing any components of my portfolio.

• What support does your clinical educator need from Mrs. Suttle?

None at present.

• What support do you need from Mrs. Suttle?

None at present.