Assessment Portfolio

Kori Neff
Fall 2015

ASSESSMENT PORTFOLIO

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Table of Contents
Assessment Portfolio

Table of Contents

Introduction to the Portfolio:

Philosophy of Education

New Mexico Teacher Competencies

College of Education Conceptual Framework

Understanding, Practice and Identification

Competency and Conceptual Framework Connection

Artifact and Reflection

Improvement Suggestions

Classroom Management Plan

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Introduction to the Portfolio:

(1a. Opening Statement that includes your background, objectives/goals)
My name is Mrs. Neff I am working towards finishing my Masters and am in my second year of
teaching. I am teaching third grade and despite the newness of everything my teaching success
out weigh my trials and tribulations as a new teacher.
*Dont use I at the beginning of every sentence.
I earned my Bachelors of Fine Art from the University of New Mexico, in 2008. I took a brief
hiatus in working on my Bachelors during which I worked and traveled abroad. Upon completing
my Bachelors I moved back abroad and enjoyed learning about the culture and the language.
(1b. Overview of the portfolio organization)
A Portfolio is used to demonstrate abilities, strengths, and experiences using artifacts as physical
evidence. In addition to the above this portfolio will also represent a personal Philosophy of
Education, and artifacts to demonstrate the New Mexico Teacher Competencies aligned with the
UNM College of Education Conceptual Framework of Understandings, Practices, and Identities.
This portfolio will be considered a living document from the time of its creation as it will be
continually updated and edited as an ongoing process of professional development and reflection.
It will include a classroom management plan, conceptual unit of study, and fully developed lesson
plans, teaching and behavioral strategies as well as ideas and pedagogy that promote culturally
relevant teachingDefinition of teaching goal (culturally relevant). Any additional documents
PUT in Philosophy.

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Philosophy of Education
IIa. Include your beliefs about children, teaching, and learning.)
Children deserve the right to obtain an education that may be used as a means of social change.
In order for education to become a tool to self betterment, education needs to be considered of
significant importance. Holding a place of importance in a childs life is done when: they feel
safe, physically and emotionally in their environment, interested in what is being taught by being
challenged and not discouraged.
Validating children as significant and relevant happens when teaching content with a connection
to the lives they lead. Culturally relevant material helps children not feel alienated by the
educational system as it is something to further their existing knowledge of the world. The idea
of a school and a classroom representing a community is as important as the need for children to
have a loving family at home as school becomes a secondary home.
Learning something requires the correct mixture of comfort and displeasure. Students must be in
an environment that is physically and emotionally conductive to learning. Oppositely children
must face learning challenges and feel the displeasure of not knowing and having to work for the
knowledge. It is the responsibility of the teacher to not only make the classroom a safe
environment, but to also learn about the students so they may challenged accordingly. Students
should be taught from a young age to take responsibility for their learning. A student lead
classroom not only allows the students to take a more proactive role in learning, but also allows
the students to connect to content that is more relevant to them. In student led learning the
teacher plays the role of support rather then encyclopedia.
My schooling consisted of traditional methods where group work was frowned upon and
collaboration was thought of as cheating. In being an educator I am constantly working against
my natural educational tendencies. I strive to have a classroom that is student led where my role
as teacher is to facilitate and support student learning. My goals are contrary to the methods in
which I was educated, change becomes a struggle in this sense.

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Teaching does not often occur as one thinks that it might. The role that a teacher is required to
play is often comprised of many separate, but important roles. An educator; general and special,
foreign language teacher, adult role model, physiologist, nutritionist, social skills educator, and
many other roles. As a teacher the roles must be balanced and used in order to and after learning
about and understanding a class. In creating a classroom that gains independence and
responsibility for their learning, the role of the teacher shifts from a seemingly all knowing
distributor of knowledge to one of an educational support. The teacher becomes a tool for the
students to access in their educational quest.

(II b. Provide a segue from your philosophy of education to the next section of your portfolio)

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New Mexico Teacher

Competencies
For each competency, you will write out the competency, .......
New Mexico Teacher Competency 1: The teacher accurately demonstrates knowledge of the
content area and approved curriculum.
New Mexico Teacher Competency 2: The teacher appropriately utilizes a variety of teaching
methods and resources for each area taught.
New Mexico Teacher Competency 3: The teacher communicate with and obtains feedback
from students in a manner that enhances student learning and understanding.
New Mexico Teacher Competency 4: The teacher comprehends the principles of student
growth, development and learning, and applies them appropriately.
New Mexico Teacher Competency 5: The teacher manages the educational setting in a manner
that promotes positive student behavior and a self and healthy environment.

College of Education Conceptual

Framework
Understanding, Practice and Identification
COE Conceptual Framework: understanding academic content, technology, and nature of
knowledge; practice contextual strategies, coherent instruction, culturally responsive teaching,
and technologically current skills; identifying myself as a communicative and collaborative
educator.

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Competency and Conceptual Framework Connection

...... and then provide one artifact of your work that exemplifies how you meet this
competency.) (With each example of your work you will include a one to two page reflection
explaining why you chose this sample of your work, what the context is, what you learned
from it.)
New Mexico Competency 1 - Artifact - NM Unit Lesson Plan, NM Big Book, Student digital
brochure.
COE Connections
Understandings - culture and language, technology
Practice - Contextual, Technologically current
Identity - Reflection in action, collaboration

Artifact and Reflection

.....what you might improve the next time

Improvement Suggestions

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Classroom Management Plan

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References

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