9. Professionalism, Leadership, and Advocacy

Rationale:

Artifact Description:

During a meeting with one of my cooperating teachers, we discussed on the importance of connecting with students in a more personal way. For the first week I created this google slide with a few key facts about who I am and this I enjoy. This was shown to the students at the beginning of each class and also sent in an email to the parents. This helped as a way to introduce myself to the families and show a level of professionalism. In this google slide, I included a few sections that include who I am, my educational background, culture and 3 favorite things.

Standard Connection:

This artifact served as a way to "communicate with families..." (9L standard) It was my cooperating teachers and I goal to create a form of communication and connection with the students and parents. Another great reason this was created was for the students to feel free to communicate with me and make connections. It also was a great way for me to let the parents know that I am an English and Spanish speaking teacher.

Reflection:

Creating this artifact was an great way for students to ask me follow up questions about me and my education. This simple google slide was a great way for parents to be able to know who I am. Some parents greeted me later on at the concert and appreciated my google slide of introduction. Knowing who I am is very important because I represent the school and my cooperating teacher the weeks I was thre and it created a path way for appreciation and communication for me and the parents.

Rationale:

Artifact Description:

During my last week at my placement, I was able to send an email that thanked the parents for small gifts I received but also for allowing me to teach their students during my time in the school. Because the school that I was only had a few parents that were spanish speaking. My cooperating teacher suggested that I create a seperate email in spanish to reach the spanish speaking parents and include them and make them feel appreciated in their speaking language.

Standard Connection:

This artifact served as a way to "communicate with families..." (9L standard) It was my cooperating teachers and I goal to create a form of communication with the spanish speaking community. This created the opportunity to show appreciation and also congratulation their student on their work in the classroom. Communication is key. As a teacher whose parents felt excluded from various school activities due to the language barrier it is very important for me to be able to use my skills of speaking two languages to include the spanish community.

Creating this artifact was an great way for parents to follow up with the teacher. It also showed the principal and assistance principal the importance of including or finding ways to include parents who are spanish speaking. This creates a line of professionalism and my effort to communicate clearly with all the families in my school community. This allows parents to feel more comfortable. This shows the importance of communication.