Reflection and Advice for Future Students 1

Reflection and Advice for Future Students

Kimberlie Ramirez

National University
Reflection and Advice for Future Students 2

Abstract

In this essay I will be reflecting upon my experience with the PDQP and how this has helped me

develop as a professional. I will also be using this opportunity to express how I will use the

PDQP in the future as an educator. Lastly, I will provide some feedback and advice to future

students based on my experience with the PDQP.

Reflection and Advice for Future Students 3

Reflection and Advice for Future Students

This capstone course, at first seemed very intimidating. The name of the course, the purpose of

the course and the requirement for the PDQP felt at one point very overwhelming. However, as

the weeks went by, the course seemed easier and more understandable. The content discussed in

the class and the expectations for the PDQP seemed most appropriate for candidates like us,

especially since most of us are already teachers. The timelines for the course worked well. The

first two weeks we were eased in, while the second two weeks it picked up demanding us to

complete two domains in one week, both with short essays attached. I believe the only thing I

really struggled with in this class was making my website aesthetically pleasing and easy to

navigate for all potential visitors.

As the project progressed, I did not make many changes. I maintained the same format and

organizational skills through the project. I made sure my first week I set up my PDQP how I

wanted it to look for the remainder of the time only changing what the professor advised I did.

Through the entire process I felt very proud of my work and like I was really demonstrating who

I was as a teacher. I was able to express myself freely and make this site something that worked

for me. I learned that I have grown a lot as a teacher; however, that I also have a lot more

growing to do. Teaching is a never-ending career. There is always room for improvement.

Finally, I would like to give some advice to future candidates:

1. What would I do differently about developing the PDQP?

a. One thing I would differently about developing my PDQP is take more time

organizing myself and truly finding artifacts that represent who I am. While I did

put the best ones, I have available, I chose the ones that were in my laptop. This

PDQP is meant to showcase who we are as educators; we should put the best
Reflection and Advice for Future Students 4

work possible forward and look for the perfect artifact in detail. More patience

definitely.

2. What would I do differently about selecting the artifacts for my PDQP?

a. Like I stated above, I would look for artifacts with more care. I would look for

artifacts that not only represent the TPE, but also represent me as a teacher. One

thing I would like to do is put artifacts from previous years and artifacts from this

year side by side to see the growth. I would like to find similar work to see

development.

3. What would I advise about sharing the PDQP?

a. When it comes to sharing the PDQP we need to do it with vulnerability and

knowing that others are going to evaluate and potentially judge our work, but we

need to know this is not with bad intentions. We need to understand that we are

all growing as educators and any time anyone can read, review and provide

feedback on our work, it’s a good thing. We want other people to read our work

and help us develop as professionals. I would advise everyone to remain humble

and hope that you get the best feedback possible.

4. What would I advise about participating in a positive learning community?

a. I would advise the participants in the class to be nice to each other and know we

all have something going on. Everyone has busy schedules, and everyone is trying

to finish their program as well. I would advise to be kind to one another, provide

the best feedback possible and whatever feedback you get, do not take it personal.

Know that your peers are advising you like that because they want you to succeed
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and they want your PDQP to be the best as possible. All while also completing

their own and learning from you.

5. What parts of the course were most beneficial to me?

a. The biggest part of the course that was beneficial to me was how in detail we

dove into every single TPE. It is one thing knowing what they are, it is another

evaluating your practice with them in mind. By evaluating myself I was able to

see areas of strength, but also, and most importantly, areas of improvement. I was

able to read the specific vocabulary being used in the TPE and apply that into my

class. Use the verbiage when lesson planning and ensuring that my lessons are the

best possible for my students.