Welcome to my 8th-grade TPOL. My name is Ryann Smith, and today marks the end of a four-year chapter that has changed everything for me.

I’ve been a student here since the 5th grade, and looking back, this school has had such a huge impact on who I am today. It’s been much more than just a place to learn; it’s where I’ve grown, found my confidence, and truly shaped my identity. I’m so excited to walk you through that journey and show you the person I’ve become.

1. Beginning of the Year Example
An example of my respect at the beginning of the year is shown in my work, where there was a clear lack of attention and effort. One example of this is my Unit 1 anchor chart. Even though I got a good grade on it, it doesn’t really reflect what I’m capable of. Looking back, I realize that not putting in my full effort was a form of disrespect—not just to the assignment, but also to my teacher and my own learning. I could have done so much better if I had taken more time and care with it.

2. End of the Year Example
A good example of how I showed respect later in the year was during my business plan exhibition. I made an effort to really listen to my peers’ ideas and consider their input when developing our business concept. I also showed respect to my partner by listening carefully, being open to their suggestions, and working with them in a positive way. This experience showed me that respect isn’t just about being polite it’s about valuing other people’s ideas and making sure everyone feels heard.

At the beginning of the year, I defined effort simply: trying hard enough to get good grades. My main goal was to see challenges as opportunities for growth by continuing to try even when things got stressful, confusing, or tiring. This has been a recurring struggle for me throughout my time here. Deep reflection this year helped me realize that I tend to lose motivation entirely whenever I face an immediate failure or setback, especially when a task gets difficult. At the beginning of this year, this was deeply disappointing because a single mistake would cause me to completely give up on my work. To fix this, I am committing to changing my behavior by approaching my classes with a resilient, "can-do" attitude and pushing through moments of frustration. My absolute priority is maintaining my focus when things get tough, or in the worst-case scenario, asking for help so I can try again. My understanding of effort has grown. It is not just about being perfect. True effort also means showing up every day ready to learn, finishing assignments even when I do not feel motivated, and improving little by little throughout the year.

Earlier this year, my work ethic reflected a clear lack of effort and resilience. For example, whenever I got a question wrong on a test or in class whether it was math, science, or any other subject I would completely lose my drive. A prime example occurred in art class, where a mistake on my cardboard shoe project caused me to lose motivation and give up on the rest of the assignment. This proved that I was only motivated when things came easily to me, rather than having a real commitment to my own learning. By the end of the year, my approach shifted completely. I now complete my work to the best of my abilities and look for ways to improve every day. A prime example of this growth was my behavior change in the classroom. Not only did I change my mindset after some deep reflection, but I also stepped up by becoming much more actively engaged in class and consistently pushing through difficult assignments.

At the beginning of the year, I defined integrity simply: doing the right thing even when no one is watching. My main goal was to improve my time management by completing tasks punctually without needing constant reminders. This has been a recurring struggle for me throughout my time here.

Deep reflection this year helped me realize that I tend to procrastinate because I do not always prioritize my schoolwork, especially homework. At the end of this year, I have three missing assignments. This is deeply disappointing because I usually complete the work but simply forget to turn it in. To fix this, I am committing to finishing my work as soon as I get home and spreading assignments out across the week. My absolute priority is turning work in on time, or in the worst-case scenario, completing and submitting it within a couple of days.

Earlier this year, my work ethic reflected a clear lack of integrity. For example, I routinely delayed my DeltaMath assignments until the last minute or left them incomplete. This procrastination proved that I was only motivated by external pressure, like looming deadlines or reprimands, rather than an internal commitment to my responsibilities.

By the end of the year, my approach shifted completely. I now complete my work on time and to the best of my abilities. A prime example of this growth was my Rocket Royale exhibition. Not only did I finish my own responsibilities ahead of time without a second thought, but I also stepped up to help my partner with their tasks, such as the rocket manual. (Note: I will provide more details on this project below).

At the beginning of the school year, I had a very simple view of what refinement meant. I thought it just meant going back to fix spelling mistakes, correct grammar, and edit my schoolwork before turning it in. I saw it as a boring chore rather than a tool for learning.

Now, I understand that refinement is something much more personal and important. It is not just about cleaning up a paper to get a better grade; it is about changing how you think. It means pushing yourself to do better than your first try and being honest about where you can improve. Refinement is the process of taking something rough and putting in the time and effort to make it excellent.

I first put this new understanding into action during my argumentative research paper (ARP). I focused deeply on the revision process and refined my draft from "approaching" to "exceeding" standards. This was an achievement that I am incredibly proud of. The project challenged us to argue for something we truly believed in. Because I cared about the topic, I chose to work harder. I double check my facts, found better research sources, and completely rewrote sections that were confusing. Moving up a level on the rubric showed me that real growth takes time and effort.

• Respect: Ms. Emily shows respect by treating every student who walks into her office with dignity. It doesn’t matter if you have a tiny scratch or a serious injury; she makes everyone feel seen and heard.

• Integrity: She shows integrity by making sure every student gets the exact care they need. She never takes the easy way out or cuts corners, and she always follows through to make sure we are actually healthy.

• Effort: You can really see her effort in the extra work she does behind the scenes. She spends a lot of time organizing the teacher first-aid kits and keeping all our complicated health records updated in the school system so everything runs smoothly.

• Refinement: She uses refinement by looking at a student’s medical history and past visits instead of just treating them like a stranger. She uses that info to improve her care and make sure she’s giving the most helpful treatment possible.