I Feel Made A Big Impact On Me During This Program

As a teacher I use formative and summative data to drive my instruction. As I start with the state standard for the lesson and plan a formative assessment on that skill before a summative assessment. In years prior our school district used the platform of Performance Matter to collect data of that grade level standards three times a year. This type of information set in with Dr. Scott McLeod (20??) essential concepts. “The five major elements of data-driven instruction are: good baseline, measurable instructional goals, frequent formative assessment, professional learning communities, and focused instructional interventions (pp. 1-2, 20??). The assessment gave teachers a baseline, mid-year, and end year focus. When the teacher delved into the platform each question was broken down each standard and concept, thus allowing teacher to provide adequate instructional goal to meet the students’ needs. Teachers would also look at past state standardized testing to determine what if any remediation is needed. As a principal, he/she/I needs to understand the data elements to schedule necessary people and aid for the professional development communities.

Being in this class gave me insight on the way that I learn. I’ve had my share of jobs along with schooling and various other learning experiences. Some good, some bad but I can honestly say that I never noticed the pattern on how I learn. Now I know I learn more by being more of a hands on person. Also utilizing my thinking and problem solving skills has helped with my growth. I also found it important to use my reflective observation too. Mostly combining different learning styles have helped me in life to understand the way I learn and the benefits that could come if I use my strengths to further my ambitions.

Prior to attending this class, I thought that it was going to be a very boring one with long frustrating lectures. I was surprised at how much I was enjoying this class because it had to do with an area I have interest, which is, working in the community. Some of the challenges I encountered in this class was conducting a needs assessment, identifying advocacy article, and the elevator pitch. I can say honestly say that I learned how to conduct an actual needs assessment, although when I was doing my paper I did not quite grasp it at the time. It was not until the presentations I understood how it is done based on the information presented and the comments and explanation given by the professor. It was very important that I learned how to conduct the needs assessment, because my interest is working with low income individuals in different communities. Now that learned how to conduct a needs assessment I am excited to go out and gain some practical knowledge with a team. The lecture and the advocacy piece assignment helped me to understand what advocacy is all about; I now able to write, research and recognize and any advocacy document. The elevator pitch was novel to me and I had a hard time understanding how someone can give all that information in a minute. After the different scenarios that were role played during the presentations I got knowledge on how it is done. I also

The major emphasis in education for the 21st century is on data driven accountability measured by student performance on standardized testing. National and state expectations require students to demonstrate mastery of curriculum objectives. Instructional objectives are the focus of the building principals to show measurable student progress. The improvements are evaluated based on data and monitoring of the curriculum.

In summary, this course has really educated my view of being a teacher as well as being able to interact with today’s diverse and fluctuating educational setting. Therefore, the discussions were very good ways in understanding how

Overall, the theories, methods and strategies learned throughout this program have allowed me to be a better teacher in the sense that I don’t look at the whole picture anymore. I pick apart each piece of puzzle to see how I can better each student as an individual. This will let my students to become investors in their education, as well as allow me to become a better teacher.

One huge impact I learned instantly is how you communicate with your client. I had to strengthen my communication skills because I needed to communicate with my clients in vocabulary that I knew they would understand. Communicating with a fellow peer, who is knowledgeable about taxes, is a different situation that of when you are speaking with a client. A client most likely doesn’t know the exact, in-depth details about taxes, which can lead to complications and confusion, so I had to adjust my lexicon to fit the clients’ needs and understanding. Also, working with partners was great. It gave me an opportunity to work with others and solve problems in a group. Sometimes, when one of us didn’t know the answer, the other one would step in and help. Also, I felt like the class was a gigantic supportive group because we would ask and answer each other questions, when we a confused about a topic or area.

to the program. How will your background enhance and broaden your learning and that of your classmates in Schulich’s dynamic environment?

I learned that the assessments given to the students are important and should be done in a very organized manner. It was overwhelming giving all the assessments at once but it was comforting being able to have a partner. It raises the concern on how hectic it might be conducting all the assessments in a class full of students. My favorite were the one-to-one tutoring and the guided reading groups because we got to target the students specific needs and see them progress. The one I would really enjoy incorporating into a classroom is the guided reading groups, you get to help several students at once and help them grow as a

The Washington County School District organizational strategies that are in place for teachers has increased academic student growth in my classes. Throughout year, I participate in professional development activities that enhance my teaching skills and increase student learning. During the summer, I collaborate with district data analysis and colleagues to disaggregate student data, correctly identify the lowest benchmarks that students scored based on FSA performance and Washington County School District Progress Monitoring Program (three assessments from the previous year). After which, we develop an "Order of Instruction” for content areas based on data from various student measures that have been assimilated throughout the school year.

A transfer support system is critical to measuring the effects of training. Since I am a teacher, measuring the effects of training on students and teachers plays a very important role in my life. This year I pre-assessed all of my students before each unit of study. I used the data from the pre-assessments to determine their level of knowledge about the unit of study. By using the pre-assessment data I was able to write individualized instructional objectives for each of my students. I believe this enhanced my understanding of how diverse my classroom is and how it is very important to evaluate each student individually. This provides support to design well-designed lesson plans and assessment. This year I wanted to incorporate higher

For me, I think that the most helpful thing throughout this entire course was the feedback (peer review, discussion replies and professor feedback). I looked forward to any and all feedback each week. At first, I was really nervous about feedback

Most of the lessons have been applicable outside of the classroom, but the most useful for me has been the lecture about different psychology professions because I haven’t decided what exactly I want to do, so it was very helpful to learn about all the different options I have as a psychology major. I chose to write about rehabilitative psychology, and learning more about this topic made me a lot more interested in majoring in recreational therapy. I switched majors, and even as a recreational therapy major, we are required to take a few psychology classes. This assignment also taught me that there is a big job market open for people in the recreational therapy field. The goal-setting topic was the least interesting lesson because everything was pretty common sense, and I don’t feel like I learned anything. This topic did, however, require us to set goals for ourselves which has helped me stick to studying for my classes. This reflection has made me realize that I haven’t reached all my goals and knowing I set those goals and have failed to reach all of them has motivated me try

In examining my experience during the recent Cohort Intensives held at Payne Theological Seminary (PTS) in Wilberforce, Ohio; I was quite intrigued with how all of the scholars and guest speakers reinforced many of the initiatives I have already implemented in the context of my own ministry. Likewise, my time spent in class with my Cohort mentors Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie and Rev. Dr. Kenneth S. Robinson was both scholastically and spiritually invaluable. During the week-long Intensive class sessions with my mentors, I learned a number of new things about myself that I was not previously willing to address. In short, I had a moment of self-actualization that required some personal omissions on my part regarding my faith and yes some internalized oppression as labeled by author Gayraud S. Wilmore. Opening up in class and admitting a few of my own short-comings was nothing short of liberating. Suddenly, I felt as though I had an epiphany; that has given birth to a renewed zeal, mind, and spirit. For the first time in years I am certain that I am now moving closer to the apex of excellence where God intended me to be.

I think this course has more prepared me for teaching in higher education through providing various perspectives and considerations around diverse challenges within a teaching and learning environment. This course taught about effective teaching practices that encourages a teaching professional to