Self-REFLECTION & ASSESSMENT
To me, being a lifelong learner basically involves being committed to constantly assessing where you're at as not only a professional and educator, but as a human being and asking..."How can I better myself from here? What will move me forward? Am I being effective with others?"
To do this successfully, it's neccessary to be open to feedback and to seek out mentors for advice and guidance, regarding not only the field of education, but for life in general.
Luckily for me, there were plenty of great professors to turn to during my time at Wagner College. In addition, this means seeking out resources (websites like brainpop, or amazing self-growth books "The Power of Now") that can further your learning and development.
Once in the classroom, there are opportunities abound for learning. While at PS19, I was given many opportunities to grow as a professional and I took them all. For example, once in my placements, I developed consistent means of communcation with my supervisor to ensure that I was on the right track and meeting all of her expectations. I also kept in constant contact with the Wagner Department of Education. Any workshops that I could attend, I attended. When I met my cooperating teachers, I developed a mentor-like rapport with them and learned everything possible from them. I intentionally created an open line of communication with my cooperating teachers that allowed for consistent constructive criticism and feedback regarding my performance. At PS 19, I attended all of the professional after-school conferences and workshops with the other teachers, I went to all of the Columbia's Teacher College workshop trainiings, I went to all of our field trips and even stayed for Parent-Teacher Conferences. In addition, I made it my intention to get to know the school aides and principals (and basically anyone who worked at the school) and to learn anything that I could from them (from the hiring process to the firing process--- EVERYTHING!). I had the opportunity to do things I never expected- like attend union meetings and possible candidate interviews to make parent phone calls.
Another way that I really ensured my growth as a lifelong learner and educator was through reflecting upon where I was as a student when I first enrolled in Wagner's graduate program (Fall 2009) to when I graduated (Spring 2013). Because my time at Wagner College was much more extended than most students, I've been able to see my priorities in the classroom shift and also have realized what things simply are ideal but not possible to put into play. For example, before I had actual classroom experience, I always thought that absolutely everything I planned in a lesson would get accomplished. Once in the classroom, I realized that it's MUCH MUCH more difficult to be as productive as you'd like because moving students from one area of the room and questions that they ask slow the process down. This taught me the importance of being flexible and thinking on my feet.
A few other ways that I've tracked my growth as a professional and I continue to improve is through the use of a professional development plan and through a regularly kept student teaching journal where I document my daily experiences. Finally, I do this by reflecting on the work I've done that I'm really proud of. Below are two examples of that. The first is Phase 1 of the Teacher Work Sample I completed for a class. This work really allowed me to consider why I am the way I am as an educator and how I can use my own experiences to better connect with my students. The other is my Literacy Case Study, in which I worked indivdually with a struggling student (in reading/literacy) to improve her skills over the semester. Being effective in such a one on one setting was really rewarding and helped me realize how much potential I have!
To do this successfully, it's neccessary to be open to feedback and to seek out mentors for advice and guidance, regarding not only the field of education, but for life in general.
Luckily for me, there were plenty of great professors to turn to during my time at Wagner College. In addition, this means seeking out resources (websites like brainpop, or amazing self-growth books "The Power of Now") that can further your learning and development.
Once in the classroom, there are opportunities abound for learning. While at PS19, I was given many opportunities to grow as a professional and I took them all. For example, once in my placements, I developed consistent means of communcation with my supervisor to ensure that I was on the right track and meeting all of her expectations. I also kept in constant contact with the Wagner Department of Education. Any workshops that I could attend, I attended. When I met my cooperating teachers, I developed a mentor-like rapport with them and learned everything possible from them. I intentionally created an open line of communication with my cooperating teachers that allowed for consistent constructive criticism and feedback regarding my performance. At PS 19, I attended all of the professional after-school conferences and workshops with the other teachers, I went to all of the Columbia's Teacher College workshop trainiings, I went to all of our field trips and even stayed for Parent-Teacher Conferences. In addition, I made it my intention to get to know the school aides and principals (and basically anyone who worked at the school) and to learn anything that I could from them (from the hiring process to the firing process--- EVERYTHING!). I had the opportunity to do things I never expected- like attend union meetings and possible candidate interviews to make parent phone calls.
Another way that I really ensured my growth as a lifelong learner and educator was through reflecting upon where I was as a student when I first enrolled in Wagner's graduate program (Fall 2009) to when I graduated (Spring 2013). Because my time at Wagner College was much more extended than most students, I've been able to see my priorities in the classroom shift and also have realized what things simply are ideal but not possible to put into play. For example, before I had actual classroom experience, I always thought that absolutely everything I planned in a lesson would get accomplished. Once in the classroom, I realized that it's MUCH MUCH more difficult to be as productive as you'd like because moving students from one area of the room and questions that they ask slow the process down. This taught me the importance of being flexible and thinking on my feet.
A few other ways that I've tracked my growth as a professional and I continue to improve is through the use of a professional development plan and through a regularly kept student teaching journal where I document my daily experiences. Finally, I do this by reflecting on the work I've done that I'm really proud of. Below are two examples of that. The first is Phase 1 of the Teacher Work Sample I completed for a class. This work really allowed me to consider why I am the way I am as an educator and how I can use my own experiences to better connect with my students. The other is my Literacy Case Study, in which I worked indivdually with a struggling student (in reading/literacy) to improve her skills over the semester. Being effective in such a one on one setting was really rewarding and helped me realize how much potential I have!
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