The candidate engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually

evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others
(learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the
needs of each learner.

The candidate should complete a reflective essay demonstrating how they can develop
professionally based on situations from their student internship.

As an educator I must continue to grow and learn about the profession. I have been
given many opportunities to continue my professional growth and look forward to continuing
to learn. I believe this reflection and growth is the only way I will succeed in the classroom.
Because of the work I have put it I know my students will benefit.
Some of the most impactful experiences on my teaching have been through actual work
with students. In 2015 I volunteered to help run a flute ensemble with my flute professor and
flute studio colleague. I was able to work on administrative tasks like auditioning, and work one
on one with some students throughout the rehearsals. I have also enjoyed traveling to
Minneapolis to the National Flute Association convention to perform and listen to speakers
discuss music and teaching. I feel these experiences have been vital to my forming of my beliefs
and philosophy. I look forward to attend KMEA to continue my growth and learn things to bring
back to my students. With each of my lessons taught in the classroom I have reflected on my
teaching practices and the lesson itself to find ways to improve delivery and activities. My main
goal is always student participation and retention. One way to improve is to create
relationships with faculty to gain insight into teaching and have someone to run ideas by.
During my student internship I attended a session of “Teach Like a Pirate” with the rest
of the Valley Heights Staff where we were all inspired to continue pushing boundaries to reach
all students. This had a great impact on me and for each lesson I try to do my best to
incorporate fun activities and engage students. It placed a greater importance on practicing
self-reflection after each lesson. I record the lesson, then go back and review what went well
and how to improve upon the instructional material. I also enjoy talking to my cooperating
teacher and incorporating her suggestions as well.
I would attend bi-monthly staff meetings where we discussed best practices to follow as
a district. We also discussed the direction we would like the district to take. These meeting
were a great way for me to see different strategies teachers of other disciplines use in their
daily teachings. During this time I also saw how to incorporate some new strategies into my
own classroom.