How did I do as the teacher? Are my student's getting it?
Ask students for feedback on your lessons and how you can improve.
I want to be the best teacher I can be; so I will be regularly checking in with students to make sure I am doing my job.
Part of lesson planning is writing down reflection questions even before you teach the lesson. These will help me see what I'm doing well or where I'm falling short.
Component 4B: Maintaining Accurate Records
4B talks about classroom organization and maintaining accurate records.
How do you keep track of homework and other paperwork?
Is your classroom organized?
Can you easily find what you need in your classroom?
This is important because a disorganized classroom is not a good learning environment. If you are disorganized and frazzled, your students will be too.
It also has to do with tracking students' progress.
I will be regularly checking in with students to monitor their progress.
I will have a folder for each student's homework and records; I can also keep notes for myself in these folders.
My supplies will be neatly displayed and readily available for student use.
I will have all of my papers organized in labeled, categorized bins for easy access and tracking.
Having progress reports to show school officials and parents is also a necessity; I will keep track of students' progress in a way that it can be easily shown and understandable to others.
Office hours, homework, exit tickets, and journals will all be ways that I can make sure each student is progressing.
Component 4C: Communicating with families
Communicating with families: this is important for educators. This involves things like:
keeping parents up to date on their child's school progress
getting parents involved in the school community and their child's education
informing parents about the classroom the students are in; informing them about what their child is learning
This concept is harder nowadays, but there are several things I will be implementing to involve parents in their child's education.
parent teacher conferences: these are a given as all schools do them, but I will especially encourage the parents of my students to attend. It is important that you know who is educating your child, and I want you to know that they are in good hands.
regular newsletters at the end of the week: these will give a recap of our past week in classes and look forward to the next week's learning plan. This should help keep parents up to date with what their child is learning.
If a student is struggling, I won't wait; my first task will be to let the parents know. They may be able to help me by making sure their student is doing their homework and helping them if need be, and giving that student encouragement at home. If things don't get better, I will make sure that I get to talk to the parents face-to-face to figure out a solution.
Finally, I love a good project that involves the family; I will include in my lesson plan a project that involves those in the family through things like interviews, family history, etc. that will have the student talk with their parents about the project.
Component 4D: Participating in a professional community
Participation in your school community and showing professionalism in the workplace is important as a teacher. This requires you to:
assume leadership roles within your school
have good relationships with your colleagues
contributing to and participating in a learning community that respects and supports it's member efforts to improve
provide service to the school; participating in school initiatives and projects
As a teacher, it's important to have a good reputation, contribute to your school, and be always learning.
Lesson planning with colleagues and just regularly interacting with then will help me build relationships with my coworkers
I would love to help out with clubs and sports; I did theatre and I cheered while in school so I would be happy to help out with either of those activities
I also love to read, so if you need someone to start a book club, I could probably do that
I will attend conferences and other professional development seminars to improve my teaching and grow my knowledge base
I would love to help with any fundraising efforts or school improvement efforts you may be implementing
Component 4E: Growing and developing professionally
As educators, we don't stop learning. It's our job to continue to learn and develop professionally.
this includes things like:
webinars
education conferences and classes
professional development
reading articles
connecting with other educators
taking constructive criticism and feedback
As a teacher, I will be doing all of these things.
you can count on me to attend informational sessions and professional development courses
I have Instagram and Pinterest accounts already, which allows me to connect with other teachers
If someone sees something that I could do better and has some suggestions for me, I will gladly take their feedback
I want to be the best teacher I can, so I will constantly be looking for ways to improve myself.
Component 4F: Showing professionalism
As teachers, we are called to show professionalism and moral conduct. This includes:
integrity and ethical conduct
service to students
advocacy
decision making
compliance with school and district regulations
I plan to show and do all of these things. I am an example for my students, someone they look up to; if they see me showing integrity and morality, they will to.
As a Christian, these elements are already imbedded in my life.
I will constantly advocate for my students' needs, especially those who need a little help.
All my decisions will be made with my students in mind and in their best interest.
Of course I will comply with school and district regulations; it's part of my job description.