Standard V: Reflection and Self-Evaluation

DM1: Diversity
In order for all students to be successful I implemented culturally responsive curricula
into my lessons and instruction. I implemented Sheltered Instructional Observational Protocol
(SIOP) to assist the needs of my English language learners as well as all learners in the
classroom. Through these components I was able to differentiate for the individual needs of the
students. I accommodated assessments to fit the needs of all sub-groups as well as individual
students. High Level learners were provided with a variety of questions as well as opportunities
to teach and extend their learning. Visuals, gestures, and actions were provided for the low level
students as well as English language learners to help make the content more comprehensible.
Students were able to incorporate all language skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) to
learn the vocabulary as well as to use academic language. Students were scaffold throughout the
lessons through the gradual release of responsibility framework which helped all students be
successful.
DM2: Effective Pedagogy
In every lesson the students interacted with technology to help increase and motivate
them to learn the content. At every lesson students watched a video to help the students learn
about a certain symbol. I created a history production on the four types of symbols as well to
help guide their instruction. The history production focused on school, community, state, and
national symbols. The students also were able to take a virtual tour of the Statue of Liberty and
see a live bald eagle in its nest. All of these allowed the students to be engaged and interactive in
the lesson. One thing that I also did that helped students be engaged and to learn about school

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symbols was I went around to different teachers at the school and interviewed them with an iPad
about what it means to them to be a bobcat. Then I took those videos and put them together to
make a video for the students to watch. To further the use of technology the e-Beam was used to
help project the material and allowed the students to interact with resources to learn about the
symbols.
DM3: Subject Matter
Overall, I felt that I was very confident in the material that I taught. I used a variety of
resources and videos to help support my instruction. I was prepared to teach my lessons because
I spent time creating a unit plan that was well aligned to the core curriculum. I used a variety of
websites, books, and videos to guide my instruction. Before each lesson I made sure that I
researched on my own some things that I could use to help me teach accurately. I also did a lot of
research on symbols while completing my teacher work sample. This allowed me to focus on the
importance of symbols and why we have them.
DM4: Environment
The classroom environment that I believe is essential for student learning is one that is
supportive and caring. Every student was able to have a say and they were able to feel that they
had a voice. Through partner talks and group discussions it allowed the students to share their
ideas and to feel supported. The environment that was created was an effective engaging
atmosphere because of the meaningful activities that were present that the students were
involved in. Students were excited to learn and they wanted to be involved. Technology was
incorporated into the lessons to help the students be engaged. Overall the environment was
supportive because I differentiated and accommodated for all of the students in the classroom. I

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want to incorporate more movement and variety of areas where I teach so that the students can
learn more. I feel that the students could have benefitted from more movement because most of
the work required them to be on the front rug.
DM5: Reflection
It was really insightful to be able to see the growth that the students made on the preassessment as well as the post-assessment. This gave me valuable insight as a teacher because it
allowed me to reflect on the things that I did and determine what was effective and what was not.
By completing each of the individual lesson plan reflections I was able to focus on the things that
I feel went well, and to also focus on the things that I feel I could do better. I also appreciated
analyzing and synthesizing that data because it allowed me to see if the students learned what I
wanted them to learn. I realize that I need to provide more variety and not spend so much time at
the rug. I also learned that by having activities that the students can be engaged in can help break
up the teacher talk and allow them to learn.
DM6: Teaching Dispositions
Completing this teacher work sample has helped me visualize the importance that a
qualified, caring, and competent teacher can do. When I was prepared for the lesson and was
knowledgeable about the content that I was teaching I was able to help the students learn. I
noticed that the way I expressed interest about a certain subject helped the students feel
interested in it as well. When I was excited about it, the students were too. The best lesson was
probably my school symbols lesson because I had a variety of activities, did my research on the
bobcat and the school song, and invited the school mascot into the classroom. I was wellprepared and the students benefitted from it because they were excited. The students were able to

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reiterate to me small simple little facts in a lesson without hesitation. I taught them about the bald
eagle and I explained that back in the day people referred to the color white as bald. The next day
a student came up to me and said, Teacher, my shirt is bald colored. Even though that was a
small instance, it allowed me to see that the students are listening and that I am teaching them.
That to me was the greatest reward because I realized that I taught them that. I feel that by
having a positive, happy demeanor it helped students feel safe and it helped promote a caring
supportive environment so that students could learn and be successful.
Overall I learned that as a teacher, there is always places that I can improve. I realize that
the quality of the childs education depends on the quality of the teacher. If a teacher is
confident, well-prepared, and engaging the students will learn and grow. I realize that constant
reflection and review can help guide learning and curriculum. I also realize that the relationship
that you have with your students can impact their learning. When you show that you care and
you provide them with the things that they need to be successful they will do well. Teachers have
a huge impact on student success.