Student Teaching Week 3- January 20, 2017

Rate your overall experience of the week: 4

Seven questions to end your week:

• Observe: What pleasant surprises / accomplishments did I achieve this week?
• This week was a great week for me. It is my last week before I start my full 10 weeks. The students are starting to realize my role as the "teacher" and I can already see their growth from learning. Each day I feel that I have accomplished something. Even if its just getting out of bed in the morning or not having a breakdown during the middle of the day, I am surprised.
• Reflect: What lessons did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week?
•  There is always room for improvement in the area of making instruction engaging. I know that I have been struggling with finding hooks for my lessons. This is something that I have already started working on for next week.
• Focus:  How are my short-term efforts and my long-term goals still aligned? 
• My short term efforts each week are for students to grow and improve. I want students to be engaged and want to learn. I also want students to have a safe and encouraging environment to work in so they can take every opportunity they have to learn. This relates to my long term goal of students success and support.
  
• Be Productive: What could I have spent more or less time doing?
• I can always spend more time lesson planning and finding new ways to hook the students. Making my lessons engaging and interactive is one of my weaker points when I have to follow a specific program.
• Have Courage:  How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and didn’t do?
• I have become SO much more comfortable in the classroom when it comes to teaching. I feel that I have grown SO much when it comes to being an actual teacher. I use to think that I could never get up in front of a group of kids and teach a lesson. Now, I feel so much better about getting up and teaching.
• Begin Anew: What is the first logical step(s) for next week? What mental clutter can I clear?
• Focus for next week is to make sure that I have everything ready to start my first full week. Also, I want to clear out of my head the negative thoughts of not being able to do it. 

What were some data you analyzed this week and how did it help inform your instructional decisions?

-This week, the data that I analyzed helped me know what I needed to go back over and what I could move away from. Next weeks materials are strictly review for the math assessment test and review before the third 9 weeks start.

What is one piece of advice you can share with other student teachers?

-Keep on keepin' on! We got this! I know that a lot of people started this week and others of us are starting next week. My advice is to breathe, take it one day at a time and pray. I know everyone can do it.

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.
    

    •  Leadership in the schools: This week I attended a grade level meeting with the teachers. We sat down and planned some more of the 3rd 9 weeks which was great to be a part of since that is when I will be the teacher during my 10 weeks. This was a great way to show teacher leadership.
  • 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 feel like I focused on treating students as individuals this week. I think that it is very important to maintain high expectations for every student and keep a positive attitude.
  • 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.
    

    •  Aligning the NC Common Core Standards to instruction is the number one thing that I have done every single day. It's super important to include the standard to each lesson plan so I know what to teach and students are learning the information that the state requires.
  • 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.
    

    •  Asking questions and allowing students to work in groups to develop critical thinking and collaboration with one another. It's great for students to be able to the critically and work with others.
  • 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.
    

    •  Blogging is a great way for me to reflect on my practice. Reading through these questions allows me to look back through the week and remember what all I did this week and how I can improve to make my teaching better next week.

Other:

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

    Website and Philosophy
  • What support does your clinical educator need from your university supervisor?
    

     None
  • What support do you need from your university supervisor? None