Teaching Reflection

I have been given such a magical learning experience with numerous new teaching opportunities in this last year. I know the ideal learning situation would have been to be placed in a physical classroom with all students present. We would follow the exact plan and curriculum for the year. We would have many bonding experiences in person and have the physical learning connections for all students to deeply engage in. This year didn't follow the same path and didn't fulfill those expectations for an "ideal program". This was a more challenging and rigorous experience for which I am truly grateful for! I have learned to become more flexible and adaptable for any and all situations. I have been able to clearly identify new "teaching superpowers", for which I will continue building on and implementing in my daily teaching practice. My first teaching superpower is the ability to deeply engage students with empathy, compassion, finding and incorporating their backgrounds and interests into the learning. I am able to connect with the students and take away specific importance from each student and draw the learning to support their interests. I make time for my students to have these learning conversations and listen to what they want to share and what they feel comfortable with. Another teaching superpower that I have in my favor is my voice, presence, and attitude. I practice a calming, supportive, welcoming environment that creates a positive classroom presence, and conveys authentic respect and care for all students, regardless of race/ethnicity, gender, English learner status, perceived ability, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. I believe that this is critical in creating a safe learning space for all students.

I am very responsive and welcoming to critical and constructive feedback. I acknowledge that I am a new educator and I am continually expanding my knowledge with being an educator. I have recognized areas of growth that I want to target moving into the next school year. One focus area for me is clearly creating ways to how students come to their own conclusions and wondering with new material. Specifically, helping facilitate students to ponder and engage in complex thinking of their own understanding that then connects back to the learning goals. I love helping students and I want to work on more individual think, wonder, and explore time. Another area for growth that I want to focus on is providing more scaffolds and extensions for each lesson. I want to provide clear support for learners who are struggling with a topic as well as a challenge, deeper learning option for the learners who feel like they have met and understood the lesson and its goals.

A big question for me to consider is "how might I", help all of my students meet their learning goals to best prepare them for the next chapter in their lives. I'm wondering how might I make sure to include specific instruction and foundational skills for students to continuously build on throughout the school year. At this point in my life, as a new educator, I have identified and made clear decisions to become and continue being an anti-racist, anti-biased educator. In addition to the weekly professional development courses, I see from my peer educators wonderful practices to implement into my structure and presence. I believe having strong core practices, is key to being an equitable educator.