Learning Portfolio: Semester 1

The most valuable thing that I learned on placement this term is that I AM AN EDUCATOR. Through and through. It is what makes my heart full and gives me purpose. When I entered the school on the first day, I was naive. I thought I was there to change the world (in the short few months that I was there.) What I quickly realized, is that it is not about the big changes, it is about the smallest changes that make the biggest impact. Being an educator is not just about teaching curriculum. Some days it is about pivoting and putting the curriculum down. When this is needed, then being an EA becomes about listening, developing trust, nurturing, and making your students feel valued and included. I learned that being an EA includes successes and failures but we never give up.

My first smart goal was to, as a whole, better support one of my behavioural students. The goal was to help him develop a sense of independence and control over his day-to-day life both in and outside of school.. This was to include working with him to allow him the opportunity to have his ideas and coping mechanisms about his own learning heard. My goal was to help him develop the constructive skills needed in the classroom without distracting anyone else in the class. This was to be underway by the completion of my first term placement. I did run into a couple of obstacles. My student was suspended from school a few times since I wrote my SMART goal, and when he was at school he stopped attending class. Therefore, I was not able to achieve this goal.

My second SMART goal was to learn about Brightspace. Brightspace is a Learning Management System that teachers and students use for online teaching and learning within the Halton District School Board. The high schools in Halton transitioned from Google Classroom to Brightspace, starting with students in Grade 9. When I first started working in the English Class I was supporting, there was a lot of talk about Brightspace. I knew right away that this was something I had to learn about. I think it is absolutely essential for EA's to have a working knowledge of the programs that the students use, in order to help them be successful. This way, when my student has a question, I do not have to go searching for an answer, I can readily answer questions on my own. This creates a sense of trust and builds the relationship, where the student will feel I am constant, reliable, and knowledgeable and I am there for them. It will also minimize class distraction during a time when I may have to go searching for answers.

I don't have any physical evidence, however, the way I completed this goal was by requesting access to the class brightspace. I then took the time to make myself familiar with it and asked questions when I needed to. I could then access the classroom ahead of Monday mornings in order to be prepared for the lesson and determine which students would need assistance with the upcoming lesson. Brightspace is also a great tool when you want to check who is behind in what assignments and you can create a lesson plan for these students, ahead of class.

One time that I was provided with feedback/growth areas was during my final placement evaluation. It was noted that I may overhelp a little too much during assessments, and I should be more assertive. I accepted the constructive criticism and mentioned that it was much appreciated. I welcome any feedback that will help me grow in this field. In the future, when helping students with assessments, I will be there to answer questions and will be careful not to prompt for buzz words that they may not be able to pull from prior knowledge. In terms of being more assertive, I need to be able to confront students appropriately when necessary, for the safety of myself and of the students around me.