Section Five: Teacher Candidate Reflection Guidelines

Introduction

The Professors at Medaille College have been incredible; they ensured I obtained the

knowledge with theory and hands on practice. This section contains an Introduction, Portfolio

Project/Teacher Education Learning Experiences, Readiness to Become a Teacher and a

Conclusion. Within these sections I discuss my time completing the M.S. Education program at

Medaille College. I have learned a lot about the art of teaching. It is the knowledge acquired in

the subject area, along with learning about the child as a whole, including their community and

culture. It includes best teaching practices. It also encompasses the curriculum standards and

professional standards set out by organizations in the field. In this section, I reflect on my

program and artifacts and see my growth as an educator. I will reflect on my course work,

teacher practicum, and portfolio experience. I also discuss how the DOE Claims and CAEP

Standards align with my education at Medaille College.

Portfolio Project/Teacher Education Learning Experiences

As I reflect on my Portfolio Project and courses, I remember my course Transitions form

Education’s Roots to the Present. In this course I learned how education started, how it has

progressed all over the world, and how education is organized today. In many other courses I

learned how to effectively program plan for students with special needs and different

backgrounds. I learned to make learning interesting and fun for students, and how to engage

them with meaningful activities. The program taught me about the role of education and how to

use it successfully to engage and teach students. I learned and was encouraged to apply

curriculum and professional standards to all my work. With most of my artifacts I have had

assistance form my professors and/or licenced teachers. Professional Collaboration has played a
very important role in my program and portfolio project. The help I have received has been

immensely appreciated and knowledgeable.

Completing my Portfolio Project gave me a chance to browse through my course work at

Medaille College and reflect on my process of completing my degree. In hind sight I feel I could

have changed all of my work in one way or another. This process of reflection shows me I have

learned a lot, but am continuously changing and learning. All of the artifacts included in my

portfolio show my knowledge in the subject matter in my certification area. This aligns with

DOE Claim 1. (Medaille College, 2018)

My Math Lesson Plan and ELA Lesson Plan show my ability to assess the student’s

interest and background. The lesson plans show my ability to plan an engaging lesson, instruct

students and show my assessment sheets and activities. My Math Lesson Plan shows how I use

many different activities so students with different learning styles can be successful. I use

technology and hands on activities to ensure student interest and for learner accommodation.

Through my lesson plans it is evident I keep the students moving around the room to keep them

engaged, and keep in line with positive classroom management strategies. Students have the

choice to engage in many different activities and can take the time required. I planned many

activities in math for learner accommodation.

The math and ELA lesson plans show my knowledge in the subject area which

corresponds to DOE Claim 1 for subject matter. The lesson plans display how I use technology,

plan hands on activities, keep students moving around the room, and have different forms of

assessment to ensure all students can be successful. This displays DOE Claim 2 for meeting the

needs of diverse learners through effective pedagogy and best teaching practices. The lesson

plans show DOE Claim 3, which includes being a caring educator. I plan activities that are at the
student’s current level, yet challenging. I take into consideration their interest and background

during planning, instruction and evaluation. (Medaille College, 2018)

The math and ELA lesson plans show CAEP Standard 1.1. Through my planning,

instruction and evaluation I show that I understand how the learners develop. I make learning

meaningful by setting up activities the students can relate to. I use multiple methods of

assessment and I use professional curriculum and professional standard. The lesson plans show

CAEP Standards 1.3, I use content and pedagogical knowledge when taking the students in

consideration when planning and using curriculum and professional standards. The lesson plans

indicate I use CAEP Standard 1.4; I use Common Core and Ontario Standards. (CAEP, 2018)

The Alphabet books/ App and the Weebly Website draw technology into the classroom.

The Weebly Website allows parents and students to access information about the classroom and

communicate with the teacher on a consistent basis. The Alphabet Books and App that I created

showcase my knowledge to date as an educator. I have created them using technology. I have

taken many workshops and online classes to become a more competent educator working with

technology. The Apps are designed to integrate technology into the classroom. With the Apps

the students learn literacy while using technology. Marc Prensky called individuals born after

1980, “Digital Natives”. The students in the elementary classroom are very good with

technology and prefer technology over the paper and pencil methods. The Weebly Website and

The Alphabet Books and Apps align with DOE Claim 1 for subject matter. I am knowledgably

in the area of Literacy and take into consideration the Common Core and Ontario Standards.

These artifacts meet Claim 2, due to it meeting the needs of diverse learners through effective

pedagogy and best teaching practices. The artifacts meet Claim 3 because I am a caring

educator, I have created a game to teach literacy to students in a manner they find appealing. I
have also created a website for parents and students. (Medaille College, 2018) This artifact

meets the CAEP Standards 1.1 for learner and learning. I understand how learners grow and

develop and have created a game at their developmental level. (CAEP, 2018)

The DASA Certificate, Annotated Bibliography and Educational Survey show my ability

to use technology to gain educational information to help my students. In the Educational

Survey, I conduct an action research project about bullying. In the DASA Certificate, I learn

about dignity for all students. In the Annotated Bibliography, I learn about English Language

Learners and how they learn best and the strategies teachers should use. This shows Culturally

Responsive Teaching for English Language Learners. This aligns with Claim 3, of being a

caring educator. From the Educational Survey, I feel bullying is very serious and know how

students are affected by it. The Annotated Bibliography and Educational Survey show my

ability for assessment and research. This displays CAEP 1.1 for professional responsibility in

collaborating with learners and community members. (Medaille College, 2018) The DASA

Certificate shows CAEP 1.1 for professional learning and ethical practice. (CAEP, 2018)

Reediness to Become a Teacher

At Medaille College completing my course work, participating in teacher placements, and

completing my Portfolio Project has taught me valuable insight into being an educator. As the

reader views my artifacts, it is evident that I have learned a great deal during my time at Medaille

College completing my degree and my Portfolio Project. The artifacts showcase pieces I have

picked out as my best work. My course work and my artifacts of my ELA Lesson Plan, ECE

Diploma, Educational Survey, Math Lesson plan, Alphabet books and App , DASA Certificate,

Weebly Website and Annotated Bibliography show how I have I learned a great deal about the

role of a teacher.
 In planning, I learned about subject matter, objectives, knowledge of the learner,

motivation strategies, standards and classroom management. In instruction, I learned about

positive rapport, classroom management, teaching effectively and respect. In assessment, I

learned about many different strategies and methods of assessing students. Since children are

very different assessing them in different ways becomes extremely important. During my course

work I have had many opportunities to plan, instruct and assess students. (DOE Claim 2 &

CAEP 1.1)

Marc Prensky called students that are currently in school “Digital Natives,” therefore

using technology in the classroom is essential. Technology can be used as a planning tool and

for instruction. In my portfolio the reader can see my use of technology in the Weebly Website,

Annotated Bibliography, Educational Survey, The Alphabet Books and Apps that I have

designed and in the activities I have planned for the Math Lesson Plan. Technology is necessary

is todays classroom and I am effective with technology in the classroom. (DOE Claim 1 &

CAEP 1.1)

For classroom management, proactive procedures, monitoring behavior and creating a

positive learning environment are important. In culturally responsive teaching/diversity, looking

at the cultural background, challenges and needs of the student are central. For learner

accommodation being able to teach students in an inclusive and/or general education setting is

imperative. Looking at the child as a whole and observing if there are learning delays or if the

student is an English Language Learner, and ensuring the student receives proper assistance.

Medaille College gave me teaching experience in a grade five and grade two classrooms. I was

given opportunity for classroom management and culturally responsive teaching/diversity. I

completed an Annotated Bibliography which allows me to learn about English Language

prepared math activities with learner accommodations in mind. This aligns with DOE Claim 1

for subject matter & CAEP 1.1 for learner and learning. (Medaille College, 2018)(CAEP, 2018)

Professional collaboration is my favorite! I feel individuals in the field of education all

have lots of information and knowledge to share. I like collaborating with professors, other

teachers and fellow students. I also feel reading journal articles advances my knowledge in

various aspects of education. I have learned from many educators that have guided me with

advice and I have learned from reading many journal articles. My Annotated Bibliography

displays the knowledge I have learned about English Language Learners and the strategies that

best help them learn English. This shows CAEP 1.1 for ongoing professional learning and using

evidence to continually evaluate practice. (CAEP, 2018)

Curriculum Standards & Professional Standards are paramount in the profession of

teaching. I have aligned all my work at Medaille College to curriculum and /or Professional

standards as is evident in the chart in section four. I have aligned my ELA Lesson Plan, ECE

Diploma, Educational Survey, Math Lesson Plan, Alphabet Books and App, DASA Certificate,

Weebly Website and Annotated Bibliography all with curriculum standards and Professional

standards. As a teacher I will align all my work with the standards because the standards are set

up to help the teacher and students. This aligns with CAEP 1.1 for content and instructional

practice. (CAEP, 2018)

Professional development is something I feel strongly in. I feel as a teacher lifelong

learning helps a teacher and the students. During my time at Medaille College I volunteered at

the Buffalo Book Fair, attended the seminar ‘Teaching Kindness in the Elementary School”, by

author Rachel DiNunzio. I participated in the DASA workshop, learned about the dignity for all
students act. I completed the online workshops for School Violence Prevention & Intervention

and Identifying & Reporting Child Abuse workshops. During the completion of my course work

and artifacts I have constantly drawn upon the DOE and CAEP Standards to ensure my best

work is brought forward and I can help the students learn in a positive way that values them as

individuals. This can be viewed in section four that aligns my artifacts to the DOE and CAEP

standards.

Conclusion

I discuss my knowledge obtained through the Medaille College program and the

completion of my Portfolio Project. I make this reflection through an Introduction, Portfolio

Project/Teacher Education Learning Experience, Readiness to Become a Teacher and a

Conclusion. Reflecting of my educational experiences, artifacts, and connecting them to the

DOE and CAEP claims has been an endearing experience. I genuinely enjoyed my experience

and the knowledge I have obtained. I feel after the completion of my degree I am ready to teach

students and help them to be successful in their learning. The making of my Portfolio Project

reminded me of the vast and wonderful knowledge I have obtained, and that the role of a teacher

includes lifelong learning. I hope that you have enjoyed looking at my portfolio and learning

about my competencies as a Teacher!