Professional responsibilities
Reflecting on teaching
Reflecting on my teaching is a tool that I find incredibly valuable. It is important to me to reflect on things that went well and things that need improvement within each lesson.
This year, as part of the Graduate Induction Program, my clinical coach, Jenni, provides me with prompt and relevant feedback after observing several lessons throughout the year. By doing this, she prompted me with certain questions around which to frame my reflective teaching. This was very beneficial for me, as it was a starting point for my reflections on the entire lesson.
In the future, I plan to continue reflecting on each lesson I would like to change the way that I currently reflect on my lessons by documenting notes in my plan book. By doing this, I will be prepared for that lesson in the future and make any necessary adaptations prior to teaching the lesson.
This year, as part of the Graduate Induction Program, my clinical coach, Jenni, provides me with prompt and relevant feedback after observing several lessons throughout the year. By doing this, she prompted me with certain questions around which to frame my reflective teaching. This was very beneficial for me, as it was a starting point for my reflections on the entire lesson.
In the future, I plan to continue reflecting on each lesson I would like to change the way that I currently reflect on my lessons by documenting notes in my plan book. By doing this, I will be prepared for that lesson in the future and make any necessary adaptations prior to teaching the lesson.
maintaining accurate records
Maintaining accurate records is an essential part of teaching. By ensuring that all student records are current and organized in an efficient manner, I am able to monitor student progress, attendance records, as well as recognize student growth patterns.
There are three main ways that I keep accurate records regarding the students in my class: my electronic grade book, a class list chart, and Skyward. During informal observations and general record keeping, I will often use my class list chart. This is kept in a paper-copy form in a location that is kept out of student hands to ensure privacy. I will use this chart to check off completed homework, document scores of formal and informal assessments, and to keep track of student forms. My electronic grade book is method of record keeping that most frequently use. This grade book is saved as an excel document and is
There are three main ways that I keep accurate records regarding the students in my class: my electronic grade book, a class list chart, and Skyward. During informal observations and general record keeping, I will often use my class list chart. This is kept in a paper-copy form in a location that is kept out of student hands to ensure privacy. I will use this chart to check off completed homework, document scores of formal and informal assessments, and to keep track of student forms. My electronic grade book is method of record keeping that most frequently use. This grade book is saved as an excel document and is
communicating with families
Communicating with families is an effective tool for encouraging student success at school. I believe that having open and honest communication with parents and guardians is an incredibly important aspect of ensuring that every student has what they need to be successful.
This year, at the beginning of the school year, I took the time to call the parent or guardian of each student in my class. I found this to be incredibly valuable because it opened up an avenue for communication between school and home. During each phone call, I encouraged parents to communicate any questions or concerns they had via email or phone. I feel that by inviting parents to communicate openly and honestly with me, we have had a more productive and positive school year.
I also communicate with families by sending a monthly newsletter home with students at the beginning of every month. The classroom newsletter gives a brief description of standards we will be covering throughout the month, as well as other fun happenings in our classroom. I have received positive feedback from parents regarding this letter, and plan to continue making classroom newsletter in the future.
In the future, I hope to create a classroom website as an additional method of family communication. I believe that if families have access to a classroom website there will be more opportunities to involve and inform parents with what is happening at our school and in our classroom.
This year, at the beginning of the school year, I took the time to call the parent or guardian of each student in my class. I found this to be incredibly valuable because it opened up an avenue for communication between school and home. During each phone call, I encouraged parents to communicate any questions or concerns they had via email or phone. I feel that by inviting parents to communicate openly and honestly with me, we have had a more productive and positive school year.
I also communicate with families by sending a monthly newsletter home with students at the beginning of every month. The classroom newsletter gives a brief description of standards we will be covering throughout the month, as well as other fun happenings in our classroom. I have received positive feedback from parents regarding this letter, and plan to continue making classroom newsletter in the future.
In the future, I hope to create a classroom website as an additional method of family communication. I believe that if families have access to a classroom website there will be more opportunities to involve and inform parents with what is happening at our school and in our classroom.
contributing to the school and district
This year, I have had the pleasure of working with a wonderfully collaborative second grade team. Through our formal Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and informal lunchtime meetings, I have had the opportunity to share my ideas and contribute to our overall grade level projects and activities. Each of our PLCs is data driven and focuses on discussing and implementing strategies that will affect overall student achievement. I have learned a great deal about my instruction through the data driven dialogue in our PLCs and I plan to encourage this in future PLCs.
In addition to working with my grade level team, I was given the opportunity to be a part of the Bamber Valley Sunshine committee. The Sunshine committee meets twice a month, in my classroom, to discuss school community building events and activities. While on this committee, I have had the opportunity to share my ideas as well as take responsibility for various aspects of Sunshine committee events.
I have enjoyed each and every experience that I have been given to contribute to the overall school community. In the future, I would like to continue expanding my experiences by becoming a member of new/additional committees such as the Site team or PBIS committee.
In addition to working with my grade level team, I was given the opportunity to be a part of the Bamber Valley Sunshine committee. The Sunshine committee meets twice a month, in my classroom, to discuss school community building events and activities. While on this committee, I have had the opportunity to share my ideas as well as take responsibility for various aspects of Sunshine committee events.
I have enjoyed each and every experience that I have been given to contribute to the overall school community. In the future, I would like to continue expanding my experiences by becoming a member of new/additional committees such as the Site team or PBIS committee.
growing and developing professionally
I began growing and developing professionally before the school year began by taking summer courses through the Graduate Induction Program. During these courses, my fellow graduates and I learned about current educational practices, theories and procedures. Through an emphasis on Math and Writing in these courses, I found instructional benefits that I am currently implementing into my classroom.
Following my summer courses, I participated in many professional development meetings through Rochester Public Schools. I have currently achieved 85 continuing education credits (CEUs) of the 125 needed for my re-licensure in 2018. Some CEUs that I have taken throughout the year include Social Studies, Math and ELA training for primary grades, legal updates within Rochester Public Schools, lockdown enhancement training, and a best practices symposium for instructing students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
I have found value in each and every professional development course that I have taken. I plan to continue taking CEUs throughout my educational career to keep my instruction current with best practices research.
Following my summer courses, I participated in many professional development meetings through Rochester Public Schools. I have currently achieved 85 continuing education credits (CEUs) of the 125 needed for my re-licensure in 2018. Some CEUs that I have taken throughout the year include Social Studies, Math and ELA training for primary grades, legal updates within Rochester Public Schools, lockdown enhancement training, and a best practices symposium for instructing students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
I have found value in each and every professional development course that I have taken. I plan to continue taking CEUs throughout my educational career to keep my instruction current with best practices research.
showing professionalism
I have always wanted to be a professional educator. I can't remember a time when I have wanted to be anything else. This past year, I believe that I have shown my professionalism and dedication to the field of teaching in a variety of ways. I am always eager to take on any challenges that my team or administration has to offer. I have spent countless hours this year preparing my classroom and my instruction to be the best it can be. I am frequently one of the first teachers in the building to arrive and one of the last to leave. I believe that my willingness to accept challenges and the time that I have dedicated to becoming the best teacher I can be is a clear demonstration of my professionalism as an educator.
I believe that each and every experience that I have throughout this past school year has helped me learn and grow as a professional. I plan to continue looking at each day as an opportunity to develop my instruction and classroom management skills.
I believe that each and every experience that I have throughout this past school year has helped me learn and grow as a professional. I plan to continue looking at each day as an opportunity to develop my instruction and classroom management skills.