Formative Reflection

While the individual teaching styles of the team were very different, it became apparent that commonality existed in terms of supporting the growth of our students. After team collaboration, we adopted the following vision statement: “We will provide a classroom climate that fosters thoughtful and respectful consideration of alternative viewpoints and ideas, personal ownership of learning, and individual construction of personally meaningful knowledge.”

As every individual is unique, getting to understand the students’ characteristics, knowledge and cultural background are essential requirements for encouraging their development and learning (Arthur, Beecher, Death, Dockett & Farmer, 2012). In order to achieve the above requirements, a strong and positive relationship with students is the effective way for teachers to build up a holistic picture of a student (Groundwater-Smith, Ewing & Le Cornu, 2015a; Nixon & Gould, 2005). The various recorded interactions and observations between teachers and students made during the professional experience, have helped me to understand how students learn and have strengthened my ability to plan and implement lessons (Arthur et al., 2012).

During the months of September and October this semester I spent time at two different schools in four different classrooms. Being able to observe different classes and teachers at Westside Junior High and South Live Oak Elementary was a very new and exciting experience for me since I can’t say I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. My experiences at these schools gave me a better insight into the differences between schools, classrooms, and teachers. The purpose of this field experience was to get 10 observation or tutoring hours in an elementary or junior high setting. I chose to observe a

-Students are working with others that are below grade level. They will have the opportunity to help teach them. This will build their understanding as well.

As a manager my profession requires me to take the time to reflect on my work, reflect on its objective and evaluate its result.

Successful teaching occurs when the teacher is able to select the most efficient method for reaching out to each student’s individual style of learning and inspire students to rise to their highest potential. While the responsibilities of a teacher are extensive (as one can serve as a teacher, a friend, a counselor, a disciplinarian, an entertainer, a facilitator), I believe that students should play a big part in shaping own education as well.

making Practice-Based Learning work Reflection on PRACTICE A resource commissioned by the Making Practice Based Learning Work project, an educational development project funded through FDTL Phase 4 Project Number 174/02 and produced by staff from the University of Ulster. www.practicebasedlearning.org Author Patricia McClure School of Health Sciences, University of Ulster www.practicebasedlearning.org contents Reflection on Practice 02

Please call me Rick. This is my second term with Kaplan in the legal sciences program. I am a veteran and I am a grateful dad of five grown adult children and one precious 11-year-old daughter. I enjoy 6 grandchildren and I am only 53 years old. I am formerly from central Massachusetts and moved approximately four years ago and now live in the mountains of Southern West Virginia with my wife, daughter and two dogs. I enjoy hunting and the outdoors in general. I also work for the board of education as a substitute on call. This is exciting because I get to see my grandchildren and my daughter and have lunch with them sometimes.

As a writer I’ve grown so much throughout my college experience at Rowan University through the writing arts program. I was introduced to the different genres and styles of writing within all of my courses. Specifically, my Senior Seminar Evaluating Writing course. This course introduced me to the many different genres and styles of writing. I learned quickly within this course that the genres in writing can be determined by the literary technique, the tone, the content, the voice, the vocabulary used and even how the long the reading is. Not only did I learn all of the ways to determine a genre, but I have also learned all that would not be considered a genre.

A student-driven paradigm forwards a flexible environment where individual needs and personal interests shape actions taken by program participants. This individualized structure provides opportunities for teacher and student to engage in dialogue about learning. Facilitators and students collectively analyze how meaning is constructed, deeply examining the process of gathering and applying information, and expressing

My measurements of success are found in each and every student I teach. One of the most rewarding experiences I have had while student teaching, was watching a child’s face light up at the pivotal moment when they grasp a new concept or master a new skill. In fact, those “aha” moments are my motivators which feed my desire to look for better ways to ensure all students experience those same “aha” moments. As an effective teacher, I am determined and dedicatef to the continual process of researching, implementing, collecting and analyzing data to ensure I am improving upon the curriculum, instructional strategies, and assessment used in my classroom. Learning is a never-ending process. The better skilled I become as a teacher, the better the learning experience I can provide for my students. Therefore, the more I actively research, implement, and reflect, the greater the opportunity for giving my students the education they deserve and hopefully, the inspiration to pursue their own lifelong love of learning.

Society expects for students to be able to learn and comprehend any information that is being thrown out. Some students seem naturally enthusiastic about learning, but many need-or expect-their instructors to inspire, challenge, and

In this reflection paper, I really want to take to the time and effort needed to show what I truly believe reflects on how my semester should and will change. Going through my quiz, I really noticed that many of my answers were telling me that I really have a lot of habit and some necessarily were not so good. Like the fact that I am the type of writer that is always wanting to plan heavily on my papers, in the sense that I like to structure out my papers. Mainly making a list before I start writing and trying to outline specific details I want to get across in my essay prompts.

As a teacher, I believe that I play a crucial role in the success of every learning process. To guarantee that learning will take place, I make sure to create a learning environment that is relevant to the students’ background. Throughout my teaching experience, I learned how to love my students,

Reflection is considered as a vital element of professional practice as it precedes to insight and then subsequent change in practice. The hypothesis of reflection is not new as it can be tracked as far back in the 5th century by the influential Greek philosopher, Socrates and to the 1930s primarily focusing on John Dewey’s work. Dewey is one of the founders of learning from experience. He theorised reflection as ‘active, persistent and careful consideration’ (Dewey, 1933) initiated by a specific situation which was opposing, perplexing or uncertain. One of its most common use today is coming up with a thought, an idea, or opinion made or an observation made as a result of concentration, suggesting in essence a way of thinking in which one looks back and meditate upon (Agnes, 2004).