Running head: TEACHER WORK SAMPLE

Reflection and Self-Evaluation

DM1: Diversity
It is important for educators to be culturally responsive to all students in order to
accommodate their various needs. I used culturally responsive curricula in my math unit on
representing and interpreting data in order for all of my students to have the best chance at being
successful. I did this by implementing the components of the Sheltered Instructional Observation
Protocol (SIOP) and by gradually releasing the responsibility of learning to the students. SIOP
allows all learners, whether or not they are English Language Learners (ELL), to reach learning
goals and objectives. SIOP helps all students by involving them in interactions with their peers,
linking new knowledge to background knowledge and experiences, providing clear explanations,
scaffolding, questioning to promote higher-order thinking, ensuring high levels of engagement,
incorporating all language skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening), reviewing, and
assessing. It was my goal to include all of these components in each of my lessons.
It is also important to know each student in your class on an individual basis. If you dont
take the time to get to know them, they you dont know what they need from you as their
educator. No two students are the same in what they need. That is why I took the time to research
my classroom contextual factors and then differentiated for the specific students I would be
teaching.
DM2: Effective Pedagogy
Teaching this unit has helped me understand the importance of technology and how it can
be used to support instruction and extend student learning. Technology was the guide for my
teaching in all of the lessons from this unit as I used the My Math PowerPoints to direct my
teaching. These PowerPoints provided interactive examples, video explanations from other

TEACHER WORK SAMPLE

teachers for a second perspective, and songs and games that are fun for the kids but also
reinforce the material.
In addition to the use of technology, I used multiple learning strategies to reinforce
learning. Students participated in hands-on activities such as using rulers to measure items
around the room. They interacted with one another through group work, partner discussions, and
games. I used a variety of assessments to evaluate student understanding. Such assessments
included students creating their own surveys, written assignments, and opportunities for them to
teach the class.
To extend learning, I had it in mind to start each lesson with a survey question that each
student would answer. Then I would introduce the new type of graph for that lesson. As a class,
we would then create that type of graph using the data we gathered through our survey.
Unfortunately, there wasnt enough time for this to happen. However, the next time I have the
opportunity to teach this subject, I will implement more activities that involve the students
personally to extend their learning that much farther.
DM3: Subject Matter
After teaching this unit, I feel comfortable teaching representations and interpretations of
data. The next time I teach this subject, I will feel even more comfortable so I can wean myself
from the My Math PowerPoints and start to implement ideas of my own. With this sort of topic,
it would be easy to get the students more involved (and provide more exposure) by having them
include the other classes in the grade, different grades at the school, or people in the community
in surveys. From there, they can create representations of the data they collect. There is so much
I could have done with this unit, I regret not doing more. I felt restricted with the time constraints
I was faced with and also the rotating situation that I was put in. It was a great experience getting

TEACHER WORK SAMPLE

my feet wet teaching these students. I recognized how much they already know and
experimented with how I can extend that knowledge further.
DM4: Environment
I believe an environment that is physically and emotionally safe is one that is consistent,
caring, and respectful. I tried to incorporate new classroom management ideas with the
classroom management plan that was already put in place by my mentor teacher. I took risks I
thought would be good for the kids and learned the importance of creating a strong classroom
management plan at the very beginning. Ive learned the importance of consistency. An
environment is only safe if it is consistent. When students know what to expect, they are more
willing to get out of their comfort zones and take risks. I tried to create a caring environment by
letting the students know it is okay if they dont know an answer. It is ok if they make a mistake
or if they dont understand yet because we are learning together. I have made it a point to
emphasize respect with my students. Everyone deserves respect no matter who they are. An
environment that is respectful is one where students are capable of sharing their ideas without the
fear of being put down or mocked. A respectful environment is one where everyone is entitled to
his or her opinion, but one must keep an open mind. This is something my students have
struggled with, but throughout this unit, they have taken baby steps toward becoming better.
One goal I have deals with creating a behavior plan that can be implemented within the
third grade team. Because we rotate for math groups and I had students from three different
classes, it was difficult to find a behavior plan that was motivating for all students. The only
motivation I had to work with was to keep students in from recess (something I dont normally
like to do). As a third grade team, we need to come up with a plan that is motivating for all
students so they are motivated to be good students and try their best.

TEACHER WORK SAMPLE

DM5: Reflection
The data I gathered helped me see the growth of students from the pre-assessment to the
post-assessment. I was allowed to reflect on the things I did and determine what was effective
and what was ineffective. Reflecting after each lesson helped me focus on one or two aspects I
needed to work on to become better for my students and one or two aspects I can continue to use.
One reoccurring goal I had from lesson to lesson dealt with the level of student engagement. In
future lessons I need to incorporate strategies that engage all students instead of one or two that
come do a problem on the board. I plan to give individual white boards to each student during
whole group instruction so they can work through problems on their own.
Through this experience, Ive also come to realize truly how much my teaching
influences my students. What I say and how I write are simple things that stick with them and are
shown later on in their work. That can be daunting at first. There is so much pressure and
responsibility that comes along with teaching. When I stop to think about twenty-one students
that are completely reliant on me, I feel inadequate. But then I change my mindset and realize
that I can be the difference in their lives. Because of me, they may never forget how to analyze
data from bar graphs, line plots, or tally charts. I have taught them a critical skill they will carry
with them through future experiences and I will have started their foundation. That is inspiring.
DM6: Teaching Dispositions
After completing this teacher work sample and reflecting on my successes and failures, I
have learned so much about myself as a person and as a teacher. I can see how far Ive come, and
marvel at the endless room for improvement. I have seen what I am capable of and know I can
push myself to do more. I have seen how professional relationships with veteran teachers is
beneficial for my success and for the success of my students. The knowledge and experience

TEACHER WORK SAMPLE

they have is priceless and I know that I can become better by openly communicating with
mentors, supervisors, and other educators. There will always be more for me to learn and I look
forward to continue to learn and grow from these relationships.
Overall, this teacher work sample has been beneficial for me to analyze my teaching to
help me become better for my students. They deserve the best me possible. There are numerous
areas for me to improve and there always will be. I value the growth Ive made as an educator of
young minds and anticipate there will be much more growth in the future.