Section Five: Teacher Candidate Reflection Guidelines

Introduction

Section five of my portfolio enables me an opportunity to reflect on the multitude of

experiences that I have learned from in various capacities such as what I have acquired fulfilling

the degree requirements of successfully completing this portfolio project. I will be touching

upon the process, specific artifacts, collection of materials and the overall content organization

that transpired finishing this portfolio. Differing experiences I have encountered during my time

of study in the department of education at Medaille College and my readiness to become a

teacher through successfully completing this program of study while drawing parallels to the

TEAC/CAEP claims will be reflected upon in this portion of the portfolio.

Portfolio Project/Teacher Education Learning Experiences

As previously mentioned in the introduction of my portfolio this would be a unique

collection of accomplishments and a trip down memory lane examining my previous life and

work experiences which has inevitably brought me to where I am today. This portfolio has been

a journey of self which demonstrates my knowledge of subject matter as depicted in the eight

artifacts (TEAC/CAEP Claim 1: subject matter). How I am able to reach diverse learners

through differing lesson plan implementation and execution (TEAC/CAEP Claim 2: pedagogy

and best teaching practices). Through it all maintaining my natural outlook on life which is one

of a very positive nature, a natural nurturer who wears her heart on her sleeve and sees the best

in every individual and situation. (TEAC/CAEP Claim 3: caring educator)

Putting together this portfolio has been an incredible reminder of the importance of time

management as everything seems to take longer than initially anticipated. This tidbit of wisdom

is a direct parallel to what I learned in my sixteen week student teaching placement practicum
portion of the program, the importance of time management. When designing lesson plans there

was so much that I wanted to cover and cram into one lesson that I quickly learned the five

exciting elements I was eager to incorporate would have to be carefully selected narrowing down

to one engaging element. Anticipated time constraints quickly turned into time restraints for this

eager beaver over achiever teacher candidate who wanted to share her passion for teaching and

love of learning to the students in my placement classes. It is such a valuable lesson that I

learned which will forever remain in the forefront of my mind when creating exciting lesson

plans in the future. One great thing about having so many different ideas for one single topic is

that lessons can easily be stretched out into unit plans and lots of different learning centers can

be set up enabling inquiry learning and reaching out to all multiple intelligences in the

classroom. Student teaching practicum experience from this past winter has forever imprinted on

my heart that I have truly made the right decision in pursuing teaching as my career. The love

and passion I have for this field of education is a light and spark that is impossible to impart on

an individual, I have learned that it is an innate calling in life, a career which calls out for

compassionate, caring, collaborating individuals willing to go the extra mile for everyone.

The classes that I have taken at Medaille have all prepared me for this field in particular

Action Research and Technology. Data studies and collecting information via surveys has never

been of interest to me so I have never given it the time of day until Action Research started and I

was forced to see the wonderful magnitude of data analysis and collection. I learned how

observing and collecting data can have such a positive result on student outcomes and

expectations. Not only just with the students but also with parents and guardians even colleagues

and other professionals in the wonderful field of education all pursuing one thing, to better our

young leaders of tomorrow.

 As aforementioned prior to applying to Medaille I was a Montessori Teacher in a private

school which is a philosophy I truly believe in however one that does not incorporate technology

into its curriculum at all. Coming from an archaic system which in fact remains true its 110 year

old root history, when Maria Montessori opened her first school called La Casa Dei Bambini in

1907 in San Lorenzo Rome long before computers were invented, accredited Montessori schools

remain true to her teaching philosophy which of course does not include technology. Jumping

ship from the private sector to the public sector drastically calls for competency in technology

which is an area I severely struggled in quite frankly did not know much about and honestly

frightened me. Learning all the incredible things that I have pertaining to technology has

drastically improved my teaching capabilities how I design lesson plans and am able to execute

best teaching practices. It truly did not resonate within me the scope of technical knowledge I

have acquired until compiling items to showcase in this portfolio. The author study is sincerely

such an accomplishment I am so proud of it and love to share it with friends and family who also

are aware of the deficit of technical knowledge I possessed prior to this program. It is a project I

would never have thought I would have been capable of achieving. I feel comfortable and

competent with the SMART notebook software and look forward to creating more exciting

engaging lesson plans in the future.

Reflecting upon my experiences, observations and acquired lessons all that bloomed from

being a student at Medaille College I truly am taken a back at the scope of knowledge I have

obtained in just 16 short months. This has all been depicted upon completion of my portfolio

project, a truly magnificent culminating and detailed assignment that summarizes such incredible

learning experiences displayed over just a few pages ranging from eight different artifacts and

thoughtful reflections pertaining to my wonderful time here at Medaille.

Readiness to Become a Teacher

It is such a relief to know that what I have poured my heart and soul into is not in vain. That

teaching truly is my calling in life and the passionate flame lit within my heart for the wonderful field of

education is a light that is impossible to diminish. Upon writing this portfolio and discussing previous

work experiences it was pretty evident seeing it all on paper how every job I have ever had has indirectly

been preparing me for teaching.

Starting with babysitting and then moving on to coaching gymnastics which required lesson

planning, moving athletes forward to new skills when they were ready. Organizing coaching schedules,

running birthday parties, coordinating summer and Christmas camps being responsible for financial

transactions and creating positive rapport with parents are all necessary skills for teachers to possess.

Working with an exceptional child with a diagnosis of Down Syndrome to educating individuals on the

Autistic spectrum in home, community and school were experiences that were molding and preparing me

for teaching.

The next educational adventure I pursued led me to Montessori teacher training where upon

graduating the 10 month full time program I then for six years had a fulfilling career teaching 2.5 to 6

year olds immersed in the Montessori curriculum. A rewarding and irreplaceable experience I would not

trade for the world which again confirmed my natural calling in life to be a teacher but this time I wanted

to be able to educate different age ranges from differing socioeconomic backgrounds.

After discovering Medaille and being accepted into their program of study, here I am after 16

intense months armed with incredible knowledge of subject matter. Understanding the implications of

proper planning, the importance of classroom management, research abilities I never thought I would

have obtained as it was never an interest of mine that has truly changed my frame of mind and reference

for a multitude of items. Technology integration and the competency that I now have pertaining to this

once frightening and daunting topic that 16 months ago I would have told you that I am technically
incompetent however now I am quite the opposite. The importance of culturally responsive teaching,

teaching to the whole child and being a caring educator, the many different certificates I have received for

professional development for instance Dignity for all students and having an intricate knowledge of

common core learning standards not only for Ontario but also for New York State.

Here I am finally now arriving at my career destination, an absolute dream come true! I am a

prepared teacher candidate ready, willing and excited to work in the field of education.

Conclusion

In conclusion this last portion of the portfolio summarizes my journey thus far from

beginning to end of my time here at Medaille and the many skills I have acquired that will be

implemented into my future career as a teacher. The irreplaceable learning experiences I have

had that has inevitably enriched my pedagogy, enabled an incredible opportunity to collaborate

with professionals who have become mentors to me and strengthened skills to prepare me for

this field.

The next section is a mock interview where a screencast video has been prepared to

showcase work and create connections to a few questions that may possibly be asked in a job

interview. Viewing different artifacts displays my ability to draw connections to standards while

demonstrating my dispositions and best teaching practices aligned with curriculums in two

countries, Canada and United States of America.

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