Strengths and Target Growth Areas
Strengths
1. Student Relationship Building
-Teacher Candidate Disposition Form
Disposition 2: Develops positive relationships with students and families; Treats students fairly and equitably
· 2/18 Outstanding
· 4/14 Outstanding
Disposition 3: Respects and affirms students differences and potential; Demonstrates through classroom practice a belief that all students can learn
· 4/14 Outstanding
Disposition 9: Seeks and considers new information, strategies and perspectives; demonstrates intellectual curiosity.
· 2/18 Outstanding
· 4/14 Outstanding
- Student Teacher Grading Rubrics (UofL Supervisor)
Standard 11: Understands the complex lives of students and adults in schools and society
· 2/18
· 3/17
· 4/14 score 6/6 comment “Teacher seems to have a genuine like and enjoyment of his students. This teacher adds many cultural and personal experiences into his lessons.”
Standard 11: Understands the complex lives . . .
· 2/18 comment “He engages all his students in a positive and inclusive way.”
2. Teach to Understand Concepts
- Student Teacher Grading Rubrics (UofL Supervisor)
Standard 4: Implements / Manages Instruction
· 2/18 comment “Good effort to promote critical thinking.”
· 3/17
· 4/14 score 6/6 comment “Teacher utilized multiple instructional tools during session. Teacher tries to ask high order questions during class to encourage students.”
- Creating and designing my own class materials, strategies, and teaching methods
Examples of self created materials in Moon Phase lesson:
· Designed method for students to see clues and logic of moon phases rather than memorizing them. Leads students to discover a few rules to follow to understand what moon phase.
o “WhatMoonPhase.ppt” Activity Description
§ is directed to whole class
§ shows a moon phase
§ asks students ‘What phase” and asks ‘How do you know?’
o Several students reported this as very helpful in their reflection
· Designed Reflective Exercise for students to reflect on their understanding of the subtopics of the Moon Phase lesson. Had students discuss their ratings and reasons.
o See slide 4 in Moon Application Activity.ppt
· Designed application exercise to aid un understanding the lunar calendar
o Moon Calendar Exercise.doc
· Designed several inquiry exercises where students have to use ‘their trained eye’ to figure out how these photos of heavenly bodies were possible (or impossible).
o See slides 14, 19, 23, of Moon Application Activity.ppt
· Had students practice visualization techniques in class.
· Designed several visual problems for students to solve and explain.
o Main portion of Moon Application Activity.ppt
· Designed homework to challenge the AP students (page 1,2,3) and suit needs of other classes (page 2,3) of Moon Homework Pages.doc
3. Content Knowledge
- Student Teacher Grading Rubrics (UofL Supervisor)
Standard 1: Demonstrates Applied Knowledge
· 2/18 – comment “Excellent subject knowledge – is working to find proper level for his students.”
· 4/14 comment “Teacher has good content knowledge. Student question are answered correctly. Excellent diagrams, powerpoints, ect.”
- Student Teacher Grading Rubrics (UofL Supervisor)
Standard 11: Understands the complex lives . . .
· 2/18 score 6/6 comment “John brings a range of experience to the classroom.”
- Middle School Science Praxiss score 170 (beyond 1 sigma standard deviation of scores)
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4. Great energy and attitude towards self-improvement
I am a very active person that embodies a philosophy of ‘Kaizen’ – a focus on continuous improvement. In my 20’s I learned of the philosophy and adapted it as a structured framework to the ideas and beliefs I held. I look for scrutiny and make it positive for me. I apply Kaizen to the way I approach the teaching profession and have found my own success and the knowledge that I will find continued success if I strive to constantly improve; review and track my actions; and make changes. (Consequently, I need to gain a better sense of weighing cost vs gain and determine when good enough is good enough).
-Teacher Candidate Disposition Form
Disposition 7: Demonstrates self-direction and self-motivation; can work independently
· 2/18 Outstanding
Disposition 8: Demonstrates initiative and/or leadership
· 2/18 Outstanding
Disposition 9: Seeks and considers new information, strategies and perspectives; demonstrates intellectual curiosity.
· 2/18 Outstanding
· 4/14 Outstanding
Disposition 10: Reflects accurately about own behavior, attitudes, performance, impact on other and makes necessary changes
· 2/18 Outstanding
· 4/14 Outstanding
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1. Planning and implementing instruction
Goal: Plan well in advance of time to review and adjust
Growth Plan:
- Observe 4 teachers in May while substituting – look for classroom management aspects and physical implementation and how it works out.
- Observe 4 classes within first three weeks of class at hiring school
2. Creating and maintaining a learning climate
Goal: Have a tried and true management plan in place prior to school start
Growth Plan:
- Review Coordinating Teacher’s plan and determine what to keep
- Create a full classroom management plan that is reasonable, effective, easy to implement, and easily understood by class
- Have my plan assessed by a NSTC teacher
3. Collaborating with Colleagues, Parents, Others
Goal: Create personal trait of mine to have an open classroom with open communication with those involved (parents and teachers).
Growth Plan:
- Ensure voice contact with 100% of parents within first 8 weeks of school
- Implement a weekly email post to parents
- Build a classroom presence online so parents and students can access a schedule, materials, and enrichment
4. Providing leadership within the school community
Goal: Obtain an after school extra-circular activity to teach students
Growth Plan:
- Discuss with hiring principle extra-circular needs and volunteer to perform one
- If not hired prior to July 1st, research and collect enough information/activities/know how/materials to start either a technology, rocket, or environmental club (so it is ready if not hired till right before school starts)
3. Collaborating with Colleagues, Parents, Others
- Student Teacher Grading Rubrics (UofL Supervisor)
Standard 8: Collaborates with Colleages/Parent/Others
· 2/18 score 3/3 comment “Works with parents and staff to see that students get their work in and that students are held to proper standards.”
· 4/14 comment “Teacher is helping with weekly emails sent to parents.”
- Had responsibility for portion of weekly emails sent to parents
· Link to cut and paste from weekly emails
4. Providing leadership within the school community
- Took over school Technology Club from Jan 21-April 22.
· Link to Cut and Paste of my Craiglis t ad looking for projects for the club.
- Volunteered to CATS test and scribe for week at my middle school. Includes training.
-Student Teacher Grading Rubrics (UofL Supervisor)
Standard 9: Evaluates Teaching and Engages in PD
· 4/14 comment “Teacher attended P.D. for RTI and CATS Testing”
- Picked up picnic tables from retailer and delivered to school with my truck
Circle of