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Reflective Commentary
Reflections on teaching experience
Overall, this experience has been extremely fulfilling. Many of the students hadn’t been to Mount Pisgah before or had limited experiences outdoors. Some students can be uncertain of newfound places, but I observed excitement and an embrace of their surroundings. Introducing outdoor education to children is crucial, because it allows young students to form a connection with their local environment. By exploring nearby green spaces, they can develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world that surrounds them. This firsthand experience not only fosters a sense of wonder and curiosity, but also instills environmental stewardship skills. When children are exposed to the beauty and importance of nature at a young age, they are more likely to grow up with a sense of responsibility towards protecting the environment. Witnessing the students’ excitement and willingness to welcome unfamiliar settings was the most rewarding experience.
Aves Compartidas gave me the opportunity to share what I've learned in school with the young students. As I demonstrated my interest in environmental studies and shared more knowledge, more students felt compelled to share their knowledge and interests with me in return. As a facilitator, it can sometimes be challenging to gauge if students are enjoying their time or learning effectively. However, when they actively engage and share their newfound knowledge, it becomes evident that progress has been made and a positive impact has been achieved. This feedback reinforced my value of outdoor education and encouraged both myself and the young students to continue our exploration and learning together.
Image by Raine Padawer
Image by Raine Padawer
Undergraduate Research Symposium 2023
Image by Ari Rubinstein
Reflections on teaching evaluations
Summary of student-teacher evaluations – learning outcomes:
The student-teacher evaluations focused on assessing the effectiveness of the teaching methods and the learning outcomes achieved by the elementary schoolers. The evaluations indicated that the students found the teaching to be engaging and effective in enhancing student understanding of bird migration and cultural connections. Students at River Road/El Camino del Rio Elementary, reported feeling well-supported throughout the course and appreciated the clarity of instructions, the organization of the curriculum, and the availability of resources. The evaluations also highlighted that the learning outcomes were met, as students demonstrated an improved ability to apply the learned concepts and skills in real-world scenarios. As seen through the field trips and displayed in the students’ final posters. Additionally, ELP facilitators received positive feedback regarding their approachability, responsiveness to student questions, and ability to create a positive and inclusive learning environment. Suggestions for improvement included incorporating more interactive activities and providing additional opportunities for collaborative learning.
18 lesson plans developed
40 classes taught
3 field trips led
30 contact hours in the field
188 students educated
8 teachers served
Summary of community partner evaluations – project deliverables:
The community partner evaluations focused on assessing the project deliverability and the impact of the collaboration with the Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) facilitators and community partners. The community partners through this program mainly included Mount Pisgah Arboretum and River Road/El Camino Del Rio Elementary School. The evaluations indicated that the community partners were highly satisfied with the quality and relevance of the project outcomes. One evaluation critique made by River Road/El Camino Del Rio Elementary School, was the desire for a greater emphasis on the connection to our Partners in Guanajuato. Moving forward with this project, Aves Compartidas will continue to emphasize our sister program’s learning outcomes within the objectives ELP leaders created. The need for a greater application of Spanish is also important to community partners. With this, we have added more Spanish vocabulary to lessons and within our visual aids. Each week, ELP facilitators applied the evaluation critiques and altered the lesson plans accordingly. Overall, the community partners expressed appreciation for the facilitators' professionalism, dedication, and ability to adapt to ever evolving circumstances.
Summary of Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) evaluations – teaching skills:
The ELP evaluations, which provided regular feedback on the teaching skills, demonstrated overall positive assessments of the teacher's effectiveness in the classroom. The evaluations indicated that ELP facilitators effectively communicated complex concepts, employed a variety of instructional strategies, and created a supportive learning environment. The students appreciated the facilitators’ enthusiasm, knowledge, and engagement with discussions. The evaluations highlighted my responsiveness to student inquiries and the willingness to provide additional support when needed. Constructive feedback included suggestions to incorporate more real-world examples and to provide more opportunities for student-led discussions and collaborative projects. Overall, the ELP evaluations affirmed my commitment to continuous improvement and provided valuable insights for further enhancing my teaching skills.
Image by Erika Beleyovych
Image by Erika Beleyovych
Image by Sofia Bajenaru
Evidence
Courses and responsibilities
My responsibility within this project was to collaborate amongst my teammates to develop five comprehensive lesson plans and a field trip, which involved conducting research, organizing content, and ensuring alignment with educational objectives. I held an active role in teaching these lesson plans, as well as two additional field trips for other grade levels, providing engaging and informative instruction to students. I created many additional teaching materials to enhance each lesson. I created PowerPoint presentations to aid in explaining the materials and developed interactive activities to foster student participation and understanding. Furthermore, I added structure to the course by designing a flight path, which served as a guide for the students' learning journey throughout each week. This flight path helped establish a clear and organized structure for the course, ensuring that students' attention and focus were effectively directed.
I also took part in facilitating team meetings, contributing to the collaborative nature of the project. My involvement extended beyond the classroom as showcased through my creation of the program's logo, providing a visual representation of the project. I also contributed to the production and demonstration of a group presentation, at the Undergraduate Research Symposium, which effectively conveyed the significance and impact of Aves Compartidas. My involvement in lesson planning, teaching, organizational tasks, and team facilitation, along with my ability to create visual materials and deliver presentations, exemplify my comprehensive engagement and commitment to the project's success.
Posters 3rd graders made to display what they learned through the entirety of the Aves Compartidas program!
Images by Raine Padawer
Habitat Drawings made by 3rd graders.
Image by Raine Padawer
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