Building a Positive Community (Professional Development)
Throughout my third field experience, I developed my professional development by participating in staff meetings as well as cycle meetings. With my cooperating teacher, we sat down throughout the week to create weekly plans and discuss what was successful and what we could change. Before the school year officially started, we worked on organization and classroom management strategies. She would also explain to me why we were doing specific tasks. I even had the chance to engage in a resource meeting with not only the school integration aides, but the psychologist, speech therapist, the principal, and FSST coordinator. I spoke when needed and added to the discussion appropriately.
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Within my first two years of teaching, I built a rapport with both parents and colleagues. I discussed the curriculum with my grade level partner and provided input to improve the French Dual Language Immersion. I maintained in constant contact with my French colleagues to discuss and implement appropriate material. I participated in SSTs and IEP amendments.
With Colleagues:
- Plan school wide events
- Plan activities between grades
- Be flexible
- Communicate properly, both written and oral
- Work with support staff to support students
Participated in interviews
Communicated with the agenda
Communicated through class Dojo
Spoke to parents before and after school
Kindergarten & Grade 6 Big/Little
"High School Day"
Discussing class with co-teacher
Attended meetings with colleagues
With Parents:
- Encourage open communication
- Use the agenda
- Conduct interviews
- Get familiar with home environment
- Organize work for homework for no confusion
Examples of Professional Development
Barbara Coloroso:
I had the opportunity to listen to Barbara Coloroso talk about bullying and discipline in schools during her "Teaching with Wits and Wisdom" workshop. She discussed how to help our students by focusing on their successes rather than their weaknesses. I have incorporated this concept throughout my teaching in the way that I grade students. I will write how many answers they have gotten right instead of illustrating how many errors there are. Furthermore, I write a personalized motivational comment to each one.
Literacy Today:
I had the opportunity to listen to Michael Pelligrin on two separate occasions regarding classroom management and reading comprehension. Tips that I have brought into my classroom include using a clothespin line to attach student ideas, an advanced KWL chart to categorize student thoughts, and creating individual checklists to assess student learning accurately.
Technology in the Classroom:
Rhiannon Szollozy spoke to us about different ways of incorporating technology into the classroom. The same day, my cooperating teacher went to another workshop on iPads in the classroom. We got together that week and shared resources with one another. Then, we used Book Creator immediately with our class. Furthermore, I started to encourage two below reading level students to use the iPad to increase letter recognition and sight words.
EMSB Arts Consultant:
I had the opportunity of hearing an arts consultant speak about the importance of incorporate art into the classroom. Moreover, she talked about how art should not be cookie-cutter and should help students think critically while showing who they are.
Physical Education in the Classroom:
I attended a workshop showing teachers how to incorporate movement in the class through games and activities for core subjects, such as math and language arts.
Time Management:
I attended a training for new teachers regarding time management. It provided new teachers with appropriate tools to manage time effectively to avoid burnout.
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Young Child Expo:
While working in Montreal, I had the opportunity to fly to Los Angeles and attend a conference specializing in SPED and STEAM.
Movement, Music, and SEL Summer Training Camp:
I attended a week-long training on integrating movement and dance into the curriculum. Led by specialists in the field, we shared ideas and performed our work.
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Multiple French Trainings and Conferences:
I worked with a French specialist on how to teach French as a foreign language. A consultant provided me with tools and resources for the classroom. I also attended a conference in Los Angeles led by the French embassy regarding adding culture into the class and materials that are available.
"Unless someone like you
cares a whole awful lot,
nothing is going to get better.
It's not.
- Dr. Seuss
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