MSED ELEMENTARY PORTFOLIO PROJECT

MSED Elementary Portfolio Project

Leanne M. Suffel

December 8, 2019

An Elementary Portfolio Project submitted to the

Faculty of the Graduate School of Education of

Medaille College

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

Master of Science in Education

Leanne Suffel
_____________________________
Leanne Suffel
Medaille College Graduate Student

Dr. Renee Sturm

______________________________
Dr. Renee Sturm
Project Director
MSED ELEMENTARY PORTFOLIO PROJECT 2

Table of Contents

Section One: Teacher Candidate Introduction to the Elementary Portfolio Project…….…3

Section Two: Teacher Candidate Background Experiences………………………………12

Section Three: Teacher Candidate Artifacts……………………... ………………………40

Artifact #1: Dignity for all Students Act (DASA) Training………………………41

Artifact #2: ELA Lesson Plan …………………………………………………….45

Artifact #3: Annotated Bibliography ...……………………………………………64

Artifact #4: Survey Assignment …………………………………………………..74

Artifact #5: Pecha Kucha ….……………………………………………………...89

Artifact #6: Cyber Safety Digital Citizenship Presentation ……………………….100

Artifact #7: SMART Board Presentation ……………………………………….…111

Artifact #8: Weebly Website ………………………….…………………………..123

Section Four: Alignment to Curriculum & Professional Standards ………………………133

Section Five: Teacher Candidate Reflection …………………………………………..….147

Section Six: Teacher Candidate Interview Video ………………………………………...158

References ……………………………………………………………………………….
MSED ELEMENTARY PORTFOLIO PROJECT
3

Section Five:

Teacher Candidate Reflection Guidelines

Introduction

Teaching is a very enjoyable and rewarding career, although it can be demanding and

exhausting at times. The knowledge I have acquired in the education program at Medaille

College is invaluable and will contribute to my being an effective educator. Medaille College has

provided me with a wide knowledge base to carry into my future classrooms. One of the most

important aspects of being and effective educator, which I learned from the professors at

Medaille College, is how to be an avid planner and instructor and how to utilize a variety of

instruction and assessment techniques to cater to the needs of diverse learners by adapting

lessons so that we too can succeed. The most valuable lesson I have learned from Medaille

faculty is to treat each student with respect and that my job as a teacher is to help students

succeed. I enjoy working with children because they are full of energy and have creative

imaginations and a natural willingness to learn. They are curious and ask questions, and I look

forward to being the teacher that is able to guide them to find the answers to all the questions

they will have. Just as how I want to be able to influence their lives, children inspire me to be a

better teacher. I want to be that one teacher that students will remember because of how I value

them in their learning process and challenge them to dig deeper and to try harder when they

struggle. In this section of my portfolio I will be reflecting on my experiences developing this

portfolio project, educational experiences I have had during my time at Medaille College, and

my readiness to become a teacher. I will be making connections to the Teacher Education

Accreditation Council and the Council for Accreditation for Educator Preparation. These
MSED ELEMENTARY PORTFOLIO PROJECT 4

connections will provide evidence of my readiness to begin my teaching career in the field of

elementary education.

Portfolio Project/Teacher Education Learning Experiences

Putting together this portfolio has been an enlightening experience as it gave me the

opportunity to look back at my journey in becoming and educator. Creating and assembling this

portfolio has also been a valuable learning experience. From the introduction to the conclusion,

this process has been extremely beneficial. Summarizing educational and work experience,

completing school observations and composing my philosophy of education have all given me a

clearer picture of the reasons why I want to be an educator (TEAC Claim 2: Pedagogy, Best

Teaching Practices of Diverse Learners). The professors at Medaille College were very

welcoming and provided a great deal of valuable information and assistance throughout this

academic journey. Through their instruction, the professors have shown me what it means to be

a caring instructor (TEAC Claim 3: Caring Educator), and how important it is for effective

educators to be knowledgeable about content (TEAC Claim 1: Knowledgeable on Subject

Matter) and to model effective best teaching practices and pedagogy to best support their

students (TEAC Claim 2: Pedagogy, Best Teaching Practices of Diverse Learners). The positive

experience I had with the professors, at Medaille College, furthered my awareness of the

characteristics an effective educator possesses by demonstrating what a caring educator does,

how knowing subject content makes you a stronger educator, and using a variety of instructional

techniques.

In addition to positive working relationships developed with the professors at Medaille

College and the knowledge I acquired through their effective teaching strategies and encouraging

pedagogical practices, I learned a great deal through the completion of many assignments and
MSED ELEMENTARY PORTFOLIO PROJECT 5

projects throughout the course of my journey at Medaille College. The knowledge I’ve acquired

is evident through the artifacts I’ve highlighted in this portfolio. I chose artifacts that would

enable you to acknowledge my strengths and showcase my teaching effectiveness and ability to

be a caring educator. Throughout this portfolio I have demonstrated my knowledge of the

curriculum and professional standards and my ability to create lessons which incorporate the

content in those standards (TEAC Claim 1: Knowledgeable on Subject Matter).

The process of collecting and revisiting these artifacts for submission to this portfolio,

has reinforced the importance of each item and its significance to my career as an effective

educator. For instance, my Weebly Website artifact will be a valuable item to have in my

professional toolkit as it will provide both students and caregivers with information regarding my

classroom, but also provide both with valuable resources and ways to contact me. My site will

also allow me a way to inform students and families about events and happenings in my

classroom through an online newsletter. Without this technology and what I have learned from

the Technology course in semester two, I probably would not have created this site (TEAC

Claim 2: Pedagogy, Best Teaching Practices of Diverse Learners). This technology course was

so important to me because it taught me to use programs which will make my lessons more

engaging and therefore more effective (TEAC Claim 1: Knowledgeable on Subject Matter).

When I was a student, we didn’t have all these digital devices and programs to make learning so

interesting! I particularly enjoyed learning about virtual field trips, creating my Weebly Web

site, the Smart Board, and Cyber Safety because these programs will help me to make my lessons

more interesting and engaging for students while establishing a connection with them, therefore

make me a more effective teacher.

Developing lesson plans is a process that requires deep thought and consideration of your

students. At first, I would spend a great deal of time on my lesson plans to ensure I was meeting
MSED ELEMENTARY PORTFOLIO PROJECT 6

all the needs of my students. It is important when developing lesson plans that you know and

understand the abilities, both strengths and challenges of your students, as well as their particular

needs (TEAC Claim 2: Pedagogy, Best Teaching Practices of Diverse Learners) and your

knowledge of the subject matter content (TEAC Claim 1: Knowledgeable on Subject Matter). I

will always remember to incorporate Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences and Bloom’s

Taxonomy into my lessons. I do this by integrating a variety of instructional methods so that I

reach all the students learning styles while incorporating the students’ knowledge (cognitive),

skills (psychomotor), and attitudes (affective) into all my lessons. Bloom’s Taxonomy is helpful

when creating the objectives of the lesson plan because this taxonomy may be thought of as “the

goals of the learning process.” (Bloom's Taxonomy of Learning Domains, n.d.).

In addition to creating lesson plans, it was required to present lesson plans in a mock

classroom setting (TEAC Claims 1: Subject Matter; Claim 2: Pedagogy, Best Teaching Practices

for Diverse Learners; TEAC Claim 3: Caring Educator). This experience helped me to become a

more natural instructor. This, along with my experience as a supply teacher for the LDCSB, I

have developed a more relaxed and comfortable sense with peers and students. My classroom

management skills are apparent when I am instructing a class. It is important to establish ground

rules for the students so that they know and understand what is expected of them. One of my

favorite pieces of advice comes from Harry Wong, who states that “Effective teachers hold high

expectations of their students because when you set the bar high the students know that you have

faith in them to succeed and they will try harder to meet those goals” (Wong, 1998). When in the

classroom it is important to use positive feedback, respect and rapport with students. For

example, if I was instructing and asked a student a question, and this student got the answer

wrong, instead of simply telling the student that he or she is wrong, I would inform the student

that the question is a bit difficult and encourage the student by suggestion that we try to solve it
MSED ELEMENTARY PORTFOLIO PROJECT 7

together. This shows that I care about my students because I would take into consideration how

the student felt for getting the answer wrong in front of the class. I would also take the time to

model and work out the problem with the student. Building a rapport with and respect between

myself and my students will only help to maintain a positive classroom environment which will

help with classroom management. I feel as though my classroom management skills have

become stronger from my experiences at Medaille College.

Another valuable skill I learned from my experience at Medaille College, is how to assess

the students and provide positive feedback. When I first started in the program, I thought that

assessments were only given by means of a test. I learned that this is not the case and that

assessments can be done formatively throughout the lesson by asking questions and checking for

understanding to know if you need to re-teach a part of the lesson or unit. Conducting

summative assessments at the end of a lesson or unit is done to evaluate a student’s overall

learning of a topic or concept. Assessments should vary in the way they are given. Using a

variety of assessments is the best way to measure how many students know a concept, and if they

can apply previous knowledge learned to new concepts. Feedback should be detailed and provide

further instruction when needed. Just simply telling the student “good job” is not effective

feedback because it does not inform the student what was done well. Instead, you should tell the

student what he/she did specifically well and what he/she specifically needs to improve upon.

Feedback is important because it can help build confidence and provides a chance for further

instruction. If the student missed a particular part of the assignment, by providing insight about

how the student can make it stronger allows the student with the opportunity to learn and grow.

In relation to assessment and lesson planning comes accommodations and modifications

for students through differentiated instruction. Some students require these and it’s the

responsibility of the teacher to ensure students who require accommodations or modifications

MSED ELEMENTARY PORTFOLIO PROJECT 8

receive these tools and techniques to help them reach their fullest academic potential. I

understand the importance of making accommodations and the benefits of differentiating

instruction. However, one thing I had not considered is that all learners benefit from

accommodations. Instructional accommodations are not just for students who are struggling or

have IEP’s. When accommodations are made, all students benefit. This is something that I have

learned from my experience at Medaille College and that my professors emphasized in their

instruction of lesson plan development; if an accommodation can benefit the entire class, then

use it. Accommodations do not lower expectations or standards in content or performance.

Instead, accommodations are made in the way the instruction is delivered and/or assessments are

made. The purpose of accommodations is to enable the students to have access to the same

learning and equal opportunity to learn to their potential ability (TEAC Claim: 1 Subject Matter

and Claim 2: Pedagogy & Best Teaching Practices for Diverse Learners).

Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) is also a very important aspect to effective and

inclusive teaching. CRT is a pedagogy that recognizes that students bring with them a collection

of different experiences and cultural references and it is important as teachers to include them in

all aspects of the students learning. Making the content relevant to the students’ experiences,

prior knowledge and learning styles is vital to the learning process because it makes learning

more appropriate and effective for the students. For example, my ELA lesson plan incorporated

familiar concepts and characters to students such as Batman and Cinderella. I also included oral

instructions, teacher modeling, discussions, and visual aids such as the anchor chart to aide in

completion of their work to assist the different learning styles and needs of my students.

Teaching in a culturally responsive manner is necessary because students are diverse regarding

their unique experiences, prior knowledge and their learning styles.

MSED ELEMENTARY PORTFOLIO PROJECT 9

An effective teacher requires a person whom is committed to growth and learning, not

only in their students, but in their own lives. Professional development is something that all

teachers should pursue. Participating in professional development activities and getting involved

in professional organizations is something that I value because I want to stay current and

informed about the field of education (TEAC Claim 3: Caring Educator).

Overall, Medaille College and the preparation of this portfolio has prepared me to gain

the knowledge and experience necessary to be an effective teacher. Both have prepared me for

situations and the difficulties I may encounter in my classroom and teaching career (TEAC

Claim 3: Caring Educator). Medaille College has prepared us to be caring, competent school

teachers who are firmly versed in subject matter, and who know how to meet the needs of

diverse learners through effective pedagogy and best teaching practices.

Readiness to Become a Teacher

This program at Medaille College has allowed me to develop the skills and confidence to

be an effective teacher. I cannot wait to get into the classroom and teach. One of my strengths

that I bring to the classroom is my passion for teaching. I demonstrate this by knowing my

content that I teach, apply best teaching practices and pedagogy and show my students that I am

a caring educator. This is done by making learning fun and enjoyable. Instead of reading the

material from a textbook, I would create fun and engaging lessons by making them as interactive

as possible. I will focus on being able to plan, instruct, assess, reteach, address the needs of all

learners, knowing my content, as well as integrating technology throughout the curriculum.

Math can be a challenging subject for some students and is an area where lots of students

struggle. This can be due to how the material is presented to the students. I would make math

fun for students by making it authentic and meaningful to them. Using a variety of manipulatives

and tools to make math more hands on would benefit the students. I would integrate games and
MSED ELEMENTARY PORTFOLIO PROJECT 10

activities so that math is no longer scary but is considered to be a game or challenge. Math can

be incorporated into computer games, sports, or fun board games; students will be learning math

without even knowing they are learning! By knowing your students’ interests, you can use that

interest and modify it so that it connects to mathematical concepts. For example, I would have

the class participate in making apple crisp if I knew some students enjoyed baking, or eating, or

apples, or enjoyed the autumn season. We would measure ingredients and work together to

create something they can enjoy when cooked. We could estimate how many apples it might

take to create an apple crisp in a 9x9 pan. Using mathematical problems that connect to your

students’ interests makes learning personal and fun. The students would also feel a sense of

accomplishment by creating something that would taste amazing when completed.

As a teacher, I want to make a difference in my students’ lives. I would make them feel

special, safe and secure while they are in our classroom. I want to be a positive influence in their

lives because you never really know what they students are experiencing when they are not at

school. If a student does not have a supportive or a positive home environment, hopefully, I can

make a difference and provide them with a sense of stability and security at school. I want them

to have a positive school experience and this is done by creating a safe and secure learning

environment where they can take risks and make mistakes without feeling bad about themselves.

This can be hard to establish, but by setting rules, guidelines and procedures at the beginning of

the year and enforcing them will make the learning environment free from embarrassment and

bullying, as we learned in our Dignity for All Students (DASA) course (TEAC Claim 3: Caring

Educator).

It is important to bring a positive attitude into the classroom every day. Teachers need to

leave their personal lives outside the school. The students deserve your very best and if you are

having troubles in your personal life you do not want it to reflect on your teaching. Positive
MSED ELEMENTARY PORTFOLIO PROJECT 11

energy is contagious, and it is the teacher’s job to spread it around. If you smile at someone most

likely they will smile at you back. Providing students with positive feedback is another way a

teacher can ensure positive energy fills the classroom. You need to focus on what the students

do well, their strengths and compliment that skill. Speaking to students in a respectful manner

also enhances the positive classroom environment and models to students how they should also

interact with each other.

The ability to adapt lessons and reflect on your day are both aspects to effective teaching.

One must be flexible and adjust your plans and have the ability to just go with the flow. Students

do not know what has changed unless you tell them. Reflecting on the changes to lessons and

activities will help to become a more effective educator. Reflecting on what went well and what

you would do differently next time will enhance your ability to better support your students. A

journal is a great place to reflect on your day and act as a reference for future lesson plans to help

build stronger strategies and techniques.

All my artifacts that I included in this portfolio indicate my readiness in becoming a

teacher. My lesson plans demonstrate my ability to plan, instruct, asses and reteach the students.

I put a lot of thought into creating lesson plan and this is evident by the way I include

accommodations and incorporate all the different learning styles of the students. My classroom

management skills have strengthened by performing those lesson plans in mock classroom

settings. I prove my research abilities with the use of my annotated bibliography and survey

assignment. It is important to stay up to date with the latest research regarding education because

there are always ways in which a teacher can better their teaching methods. I show the

importance of integrating technology into the classroom with my SMART board and my Weebly

web site. It is necessary that teachers understand and follow culturally responsive teaching,

dignity for all students act and educating all students. Every child has the right to a full
MSED ELEMENTARY PORTFOLIO PROJECT 12

educational experience. In my lesson plans I demonstrate my knowledge of the curriculum

standards. These standards are guidelines that teachers should use when planning their lessons.

They are benchmarks that state what the students should know and what the teachers are

responsible for teaching (TEAC Claims 1: Subject Matter; Claim 2: Pedagogy, Best Teaching

Practices for Diverse Learners; TEAC Claim 3: Caring Educator).

Conclusion

As you can see from the list of characteristics that I have mentioned, I am prepared to

become a teacher. I have the knowledge and skills that are required for an effective educator. I

am very well developed in writing lesson plans that incorporate accommodations and all student

needs. I am relaxed and have a natural instructional presence. I understand the importance of

assessment and how to provide positive feedback. I realize how motivating and engaging using

technology in the classroom is for the students and I can proactively and positively do this while

managing a positive classroom learning environment.

Another aspect that I plan on utilizing in my lesson plans is the unique experiences, prior

knowledge and learning styles of the students. This benefits their learning process by making the

content personal to them. I have developed many classroom management strategies that I will

use in my future classroom that will assist in creating a safe and positive learning environment

for all students.

Lastly, professional collaboration and development are two necessary aspects of teaching

that I will continue to be committed to so that I will improve my ability to teach and learn. In the

next section you will be able to watch my teacher candidate teacher interview video where I

demonstrate my pedagogy and best teaching practices by answering typical questions that would

be addressed in an interview (TEAC Claims 1: Subject Matter; Claim 2: Pedagogy, Best

Teaching Practices for Diverse Learners; TEAC Claim 3: Caring Educator). My portfolio work
MSED ELEMENTARY PORTFOLIO PROJECT 13

has provided evidence of my knowledge, skills, best teaching practices, content knowledge, and

ability to work with a diverse population of students, apply classroom management skills and

strategies as well as be a caring educator who helps all children learn to their fullest potentials.

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MSED ELEMENTARY PORTFOLIO PROJECT 14

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