The prompt for this essay asked for a plan as to how I would help Windham move in the direction of performance based education (PBE). Outlining a specific plan is difficult as I am unaware of the structure of your school day, how far along in the process your district is, and what you envision the outcome to look like. What I can address is what I will be able to bring to the table in terms of knowledge and experience with PBE, that will be a great asset to your district as you move through this transition. Having spent the last decade in a district that has tried to implement performance based education, I would be able to bring to the table many lessons I have learned from the perspective of a classroom teacher, a parent, instructional coach, …show more content…
Within the classroom, I experimented with how these concepts could be applied within the math content area by blending both traditional instructional practices as well as performance based practices. Mathematics has proven both here and in Lindsay to be the hardest area to implement performance based strategies. Having been in the trenches in the most difficult subject will provide me with credibility amongst your staff as someone who understands the struggles, can explain some of the benefits and provide ideas and ways to help teachers implement sound instructional strategies. One of the core aspects of performance based education is the ability to collect and use data to help drive instructional practices. The combination of my math background, my work with Classroom Instruction that Works and my Masters in Instructional Technology will also aid in my ability to offer ideas and solutions when working with staff in this …show more content…
Since, I work with all departments I have been able to have countless conversations around the pitfalls some of the disciplines experience as well as what has worked well. This will allow me to relate to faculty of all disciplines and have conversations and share experiences from teachers here. I could also help create partnerships between teachers in the two districts when applicable. Also, through the role of an integrator, I have been in the midst of changing over and training staff to a new grading system and new scoring policies around trending. Having worked in multiple SIS and LMS systems, been on committees to review these systems and trained staff on all the systems I will be a great resource in that regard. This year I have worked closely with staff, as well as guidance and administration, problem solving around how we are scoring and reporting out to parents and students, calculating GPAs and the
Overall, I was grateful for this experience. I was able to find out more about the behind the scenes responsibilities of our schools’ leadership.
Van de Walle, J., , F., Karp, K. S., & Bay-Williams, J. M. (2010). Elementary and middle school mathematics, teaching developmentally. (Seventh ed.). New York, NY: Allyn & Bacon.
...uture of American Public Education looks grim. A change in allocating money to the proper intuitions and programs is a necessity for growth and a well rounded educational system. This will allow all students regardless of location to receive the same tools and resources to obtain a high success in learning. The inherent assumptions and discrimination against poor, minorities, and special education students must be eliminated to provide a equal and democratic school society, which will enrich and prepare these students in becoming prosperous adult community members. Reform should include high standards from administration and teachers, not just from the students. Most importantly, reform should include giving the students, teachers, and families a voice in how we teach the students.
This past year, was the golden year of my FIRST career. In September, I was voted team captain. It was my job to ensure that our team was well organized and that we stayed on task. Our team advanced to the semifinals, where we lost to the eventual National Champion.
In this interview I conducted with my host teacher at Benton STEM Elementary, I talked about the various ways that she explores strategies inside her classroom for how students are provided access to mathematical learning experiences. My host teacher has been teaching elementary education for eleven years now and is currently teaching 2nd grade. Talking with her about the various methods that she uses in the classroom really informed me of how I want to teach as a future educator. When conducting the interview, we talked from the differentiation practices that she uses in her classroom when teaching mathematics. I will be connecting this interview to chapter 5 by Jo Boaler that I read on tracking in the mainstream classroom and how students mathematical abilities are affected by this.
Barr, C., Doyle, M., Clifford, J., De Leo,T., Dubeau, C. (2003). "There is More to Math: A Framework for Learning and Math Instruction” Waterloo Catholic District School Board
Through exploring multiple learning theories and reflecting on my own teaching beliefs, I have developed my own theory of learning. As I developed my theory, I wanted to consider what it takes to be a highly effective teacher. An effective teacher must have mastery of instructional strategies, classroom management, classroom curriculum design, and use assessments as feedback (Laureate Education, 2010a). By using a variety of instructional strategies, teacher’s can meet the learning styles of all the students in the classroom. Effective classroom management can lead to students feeling safe and more willing to take risks. When a student feels comfortable to take risk, then learning will increase and the students’ confidence will grow. Classroom management also creates order in the environment, which will allow effective learning to occur. By understanding curriculum, the teacher can target skills and causes learning to take place. Teachers need to deliberately plan lessons around standards and specific goals based on curriculum and the school’s mission (Marzano, 2010). Assessments need to be use to guide instruction and used as a “method for improvement and mastery,” (Marzano, 2010). While determining my own theory of learning, I believe that I need to consider what effective teachers demonstrate in the classroom.
Lang, H., Evans, D.(2006). Models, Strategies, and Methods for Effective Teaching. USA, Pearson Education Inc.
First, I will serve as a leader of my community. I will be an advocate for families and students of my community by encouraging parents to be involved in their child education, providing valuable information to the community, and promoting culturally responsive teaching practices. Additionally, I will be actively involved in professional development and committees that support social change. Through professional development, I will gain knowledge and grow as an educator. Through committees, I will be able to share my knowledge to help others learn and grow as an educator. Lastly, I will join professional organizations and associations. By joining organizations and associations, I will be able to communicate with others who share the same beliefs. This will help create positive social change among people all around the world. I will also be able to expand my knowledge and continue to grow as an educator by being apart of organizations and
Breaking down tasks into smaller, easier steps can be an effective way to teach a classroom of students with a variety of skills and needs. In breaking down the learning process, it allows students to learn at equal pace. This technique can also act as a helpful method for the teacher to analyze and understand the varying needs of the students in the classroom. When teaching or introducing a new math lesson, a teacher might first use the most basic aspects of the lesson to begin the teaching process (i.e. teach stu...
...S. and Stepelman, J. (2010). Teaching Secondary Mathematics: Techniques and Enrichment Units. 8th Ed. Merrill Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River, NJ.
The concept of excellence in education is one that, on the surface, seems to be unquestionable. After all, who would not accede that students within our schools should, in fact, excel? Certainly teachers, parents, and administrators can agree on excellence as an aim to shoot for. The interpretation of the term "excellence" is, however, less obvious. How do we regard excellence?
Throughout out this semester, I’ve had the opportunity to gain a better understanding when it comes to teaching Mathematics in the classroom. During the course of this semester, EDEL 440 has showed my classmates and myself the appropriate ways mathematics can be taught in an elementary classroom and how the students in the classroom may retrieve the information. During my years of school, mathematics has been my favorite subject. Over the years, math has challenged me on so many different levels. Having the opportunity to see the appropriate ways math should be taught in an Elementary classroom has giving me a
Our nation’s education system strives through the hard work and dedication of its educators. Often great teachers, principles and supporting staff are drawn to the profession because they possess the desire to empower, inspire, nurture and watch young people grow - not only academically, but also emotionally. These people are there because they want to make an impact upon our society and the lives of whom the reach. Highly effective teachers are those who have taken learning to new heights by accelerating student learning, closing achievement gaps that persisted for decades, and promoting a mindset of change. Moreover, the presence of highly effective teachers in classrooms today continues to manifest as a result of the support from strong school leaders (U.S. Department of Education, 2013).
Many schools have different frameworks which outline what makes for effective teaching and learning in a classroom, these follow quite closely with the teacher’s standards.