Week 1

 

• Rate and explain your overall experience of the week: 1 - Very difficult to 5 - Great week
• I would give this week a 4. We had MAPS testing in the classroom this week. I do not mind the testing weeks. The kids worked hard on the tests. The weather was nice and recess was great this week. I had 8 hours of Crisis Prevention training this week as well and finished that certification. It was interesting training but meant I ended up staying in the classroom longer after work preparing for the next day. I taught some Montessori lessons and my regular small group intervention groups for reading and math which I really enjoy. We have report cards to do so I know it is going to be a busy day tomorrow afternoon and the teacher workday Monday. 
• Response to these questions to end your week:
• • Observe: What pleasant surprises/accomplishments did I achieve this week? I was surprised at myself for actively participating during the crisis prevention training. I am typically pretty shy and quiet in meetings. My goal has been to participate more and I was proud of myself for speaking up in the discussions. 
  • Reflect: What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week? My experiences this week taught me some tools for preventing and handling crisis situations. I hope I do not have to use any of the crisis-handling skills next week. I do want to keep the reminder of staying soft-spoken and speaking to an upset child from the side, not the front. 
  • Focus:  How are my short-term efforts and my long-term goals still aligned? My long-term effort is to graduate. My short-term efforts of working on the edTPA and the lessons plans check things off the list of what I need to graduate. 
  • Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing? I could have spent more time working on report cards, but that would have been a lot to pack into the days since the training ran after school hours. 
  • Have Courage:  How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn’t do? I do not think either had to do with what I did not get finished. There just comes a point when you have to stop. The to-do list will always be there regardless. 
  • Begin Anew: What is the first logical step(s) for next week? What mental clutter can I clear? Maria Montessori always says be prepared. The environment and guide should always be prepared. The logical choice would be to finish the edTPA and type lesson plans for student teaching. Then I also have to prepare for my Montessori lessons next week and work on report cards. Our report cards are very different from traditional school report cards. 

• What were some data you analyzed this week and how did it help inform your instructional decisions? I analyzed some SPIRE assessments and MAPS data. It showed me that the interventions in my group are working since they showed growth and showed me who to add to that groups now that the school changed the SPIRE intervention pull-out schedule.
• What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers? I would advise them to stay prepared and organized. 

• NC Teacher Candidate Standards (Be sure to reference activities from your lesson plans to solidify your answer.)
• • 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. One element of standard one is to use data to organize, plan, and set goals. I was able to look at our new MAPS testing scores and add to my small group intervention. I saw that the students were ready for new digraphs for one of their interventions so will be moving on from the current list. This past week I saw that my intervention group had mastered Golden Bead Addition and were ready for the Exchange Game with the Golden Beads so I presented that lesson. 
  • 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. An element in standard two is "encourage an environment that is inviting, respectful, supportive, inclusive, and flexible." I encouraged a positive environment by being prepared and having a positive attitude. Greeting the students each morning at the door by name is a way to start their day on a positive note and helps them develop appropriate social and emotional skills.
  • 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. An element of standard three is to "develop literacy skills appropriate to specialty area". I chose a book I have been wanting to read for a long time aloud and have been implementing think-aloud during read-aloud to review story elements. 
  • 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. An element from standard four is "know how students think and learn". I know that my students need their lessons prepared and organized. They like to stick to our schedule and I was specific with the schedule changes with testing so they were prepared. 
  • 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. Standard 5 in one element says "participate in continued, high-quality professional development." I completed my Crisis Prevention Training this week for the certification and this is a high-quality professional development. 
• Other:
• • What components of your edTPA and portfolio have you started to complete? I have Task 1 almost completed and have my lessons already videoed. I have not started the portfolio yet. 
  • What support does your Clinical Educator need from your University Supervisor? She does not need any. 
  • What support do you need from your University Supervisor? I am not sure if I used the correct information for the teacher standard section above so would like feedback to be sure it was correct.