E-portfolio Reflection
Dixie State
University has adopted a standards model, called the DESERT model, which
instills in teaching candidates the importance of understanding diversity
(DM1), effective pedagogy (DM2), subject matter (DM3), environment (DM4),
reflection (DM5), and teaching dispositions (DM6). The DESERT model standards reflected in the assessments
which are included as artifacts in my e-portfolio demonstrate the experiences
and growth that I have acquired during my tenure in the secondary education
program. These same experiences show
evidence that I am a competent, caring, and qualified educator.
My video lesson demonstrates that I am a competent educator. It shows that I understand the individual needs of my students (DM1), can create effective and meaningful instruction for students based on state content standards with appropriate use of technology (DM2), and that I exhibit a strong knowledge of the mathematics which I teach (DM3). This lesson shows my willingness to reflect new material (slope) back to prior knowledge (graphing coordinate points). I made modifications which enabled me to spend personal time assisting students who have IEPs and/or struggle with mathematical concepts, while allowing others to proceed forward at their own pace. This video lesson also shows I use technology where appropriate with interactive graphing on the Smart Board, and a continuous display of the needed steps to help students walk through their individual work. In addition, my ability to continuously answer the students’ questions, to ask questions which encourage the students to think deeper about the concept we cover in class, and to motivate students to participate during instruction all present evidence that I am a competent educator.
My classroom management plan and class website work in tandem to show that I am a caring educator. Both show that my ability to work with students and their families to support student success (DM6) and to create an inviting, safe learning environment (DM4). In my classroom management plan I outline rules, regulations, rewards, and expectations which I have for all of my students throughout the school year. I also include a start of the year letter to parents; as well as a postcard to be sent to my students. Going out of my way to contact my students and their parents before the school year even begins demonstrates my level of commitment and dedication to my students’ success. Also, through my website I will be able to communicate continuously to both students and parents throughout the school year. Presentations can be posted online for students to reference while they are doing their homework or if they have missed a day. This will also enable parents to see what we are covering in class to better be able to assist their children. I care about my students and want to provide them with whatever I can to help them succeed.
I am a qualified educator. My Praxis II scores and résumé display the level of self-discipline and standard of excellence to which I hold myself, both personally and professionally. My attention to detail and consistency in collecting and creating work such as my strategies for using literacy in mathematics reflect this work ethic. These strategies reflect my willingness to enhance my students’ personal strengths by using multiple methods of communication and instruction in the classroom (DM1) as well as encouraging my students to look at how their own mental processes work as I do mine (DM5). They also display, not only an in-depth knowledge of mathematical content (DM3), but a knowledge of how that content relates to others and the world at large. This knowledge of content and methods of instruction allow me to be considered a qualified educator.
The artifacts which I have completed over the course of my studies in the secondary education program and have posted on my e-portfolio display a dedication to adhere to the DESERT model standards. I have, on multiple instances, displayed my own ability to work with others of various aptitudes and backgrounds. I have demonstrated not only a strong personal knowledge of the mathematical content but also the ability to effectively teach that same content to others in an inviting and accepting environment. I have displayed an openness and willingness to work with others and to accept criticisms from my peers and self in order to improve my teaching techniques. Above all, I have proven that through accomplishing these tasks I have become a competent, caring, and qualified educator in the process.
My video lesson demonstrates that I am a competent educator. It shows that I understand the individual needs of my students (DM1), can create effective and meaningful instruction for students based on state content standards with appropriate use of technology (DM2), and that I exhibit a strong knowledge of the mathematics which I teach (DM3). This lesson shows my willingness to reflect new material (slope) back to prior knowledge (graphing coordinate points). I made modifications which enabled me to spend personal time assisting students who have IEPs and/or struggle with mathematical concepts, while allowing others to proceed forward at their own pace. This video lesson also shows I use technology where appropriate with interactive graphing on the Smart Board, and a continuous display of the needed steps to help students walk through their individual work. In addition, my ability to continuously answer the students’ questions, to ask questions which encourage the students to think deeper about the concept we cover in class, and to motivate students to participate during instruction all present evidence that I am a competent educator.
My classroom management plan and class website work in tandem to show that I am a caring educator. Both show that my ability to work with students and their families to support student success (DM6) and to create an inviting, safe learning environment (DM4). In my classroom management plan I outline rules, regulations, rewards, and expectations which I have for all of my students throughout the school year. I also include a start of the year letter to parents; as well as a postcard to be sent to my students. Going out of my way to contact my students and their parents before the school year even begins demonstrates my level of commitment and dedication to my students’ success. Also, through my website I will be able to communicate continuously to both students and parents throughout the school year. Presentations can be posted online for students to reference while they are doing their homework or if they have missed a day. This will also enable parents to see what we are covering in class to better be able to assist their children. I care about my students and want to provide them with whatever I can to help them succeed.
I am a qualified educator. My Praxis II scores and résumé display the level of self-discipline and standard of excellence to which I hold myself, both personally and professionally. My attention to detail and consistency in collecting and creating work such as my strategies for using literacy in mathematics reflect this work ethic. These strategies reflect my willingness to enhance my students’ personal strengths by using multiple methods of communication and instruction in the classroom (DM1) as well as encouraging my students to look at how their own mental processes work as I do mine (DM5). They also display, not only an in-depth knowledge of mathematical content (DM3), but a knowledge of how that content relates to others and the world at large. This knowledge of content and methods of instruction allow me to be considered a qualified educator.
The artifacts which I have completed over the course of my studies in the secondary education program and have posted on my e-portfolio display a dedication to adhere to the DESERT model standards. I have, on multiple instances, displayed my own ability to work with others of various aptitudes and backgrounds. I have demonstrated not only a strong personal knowledge of the mathematical content but also the ability to effectively teach that same content to others in an inviting and accepting environment. I have displayed an openness and willingness to work with others and to accept criticisms from my peers and self in order to improve my teaching techniques. Above all, I have proven that through accomplishing these tasks I have become a competent, caring, and qualified educator in the process.