• 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.