Rationale

The artifacts above are cards my high school students made during my final week in student teaching of Fall 2022. I wanted the students to create a card for an organization named Cardz for Kidz. This organization distributes cards globally to about 40 countries. Students used watercolor paper, watercolors, watercolor pencils, and micron pens for this project. I wanted to work with the students and create something that would be distributed outside of their community. Greeting cards have been around for years and are a means of relaying a message or showing appreciation. So I thought creating cards through for this organization would be a nice and simple way to show students how to give back individually.

This artifact connects to IPTS connects to the standard 8L) "initiates collaboration with others to create opportunities that enhance student learning". In the classroom I was regularly looking to collaborate with students and enhance their learning. I wanted to show them that their art can be taken outside of the classroom and make an impact. During this process I went over what Cardz for Kidz was about and their mission. A lot of students were excited and gave them extra motivation to do well on their card design and thoughtful messages. I wanted to show students other ways their art can be an uplifting and inspiring message as well.

Reflecting on this experience, I do not at all regret the connections that i made with my students throughout this project. Helping them find encouraging messages to go with their card. I would sometimes have to help students with design ideas and sources they can get inspiration from. I believe I made a positive mark on their educational experience by creating a project where it has a impactful purpose.

Rationale

The artifacts above are collaborations I had with my cooperating teacher during my student teaching Fall 2022.

When we work together with colleagues , we create a better learning experience and environment. Teacher collaboration positively impacts student achievement, and allows us as educators to explore new territory. Artifact #1 contains multiple posted notes with lesson planning goals for each grade level that I was teaching during my time at the middle school. I would sit down with my Cooperating teacher after school to talk about lesson ideas and goals for that lesson. For artifact #2, is a powerpoint that I created for the junior high's open house. I actually came down with COVID this week. I was disappointed that I wasn't able to attend and wanted to contribute since I couldn't physically be there. I created a powerpoint that my teacher could play during the open house. I included photos that my teacher provided me of past student work, as well as photos I took from the junior highs art fair. With these photos I created a welcoming slide showing the wonderful projects WJH students have made.

These two artifacts align with IPTS 8G) "understands the various models of co-teaching and the procedures for implementing them across the curriculum". I am all for collaborating and building meaningful relationships with colleagues. The sense of community and belonging can positively affect school culture. Which of course can directly affect student learning. Especially during student teaching I wanted to collaborate with my cooperating teacher and other teachers as much as possible. I wanted to learn from my cooperating teacher whether it was better ways to organize or improve my lessons. I would sit in other teachers classes to observe their teaching and management styles. Being open to working, learning, and collaborating is the only way to having a growth mindset.

What I learned throughout out this experience is the importance of learning from and working with others. The more you learn the better, and the better you will be as an educator. Educators are always learning and teaching, so why not learn and teach one another every once in awhile. I will definitely carry with me the lessons and relationships I have built with those around me.