Rationale: This video was one of my selected artifacts as it demonstrated both leadership and professionalism. This video is a snippet of a lesson in my Honors Accounting course. I reflected on this video and was able to improve my teaching methods after.

Connection to Illinois Learning Standard: Performance indicator 9I state, "models professional behavior that reflects honesty, integrity, personal responsibility, confidentiality, altruism and respect." We look at this and immediately think that it refers to our colleagues, but the fact of the matter is that in high school eduction you need to demonstrate this to your students as well. Apologizing when we make a mistake and demonstrating a professional relationship.

Self-evaluation: This assignment was tough to go back and look at but was necessary to continue to reflect. This made me a better teacher for my students and best providing to them. I think this is a great strategy teachers could use to continue to grow.

Rationale: This email is one that I sent to a counselor in regards to a student. Typically I would send this email prior to contacting the parents but when I took over student teaching the student was already failing and I did not want to wait any longer.

Connection to Illinois Learning Standard: Though I never want a student to reach failing this particular situation taught me a lot about the positivity of proactive professional communication. Performance indicator 9N states, "collaborates with other teachers, students, parents or guardians, specialists, administrators, and community partners to enhance students’ learning and school improvement." This was my first interaction with someone outside of my department during student teaching. Though I was elated that this counselor was on board to help make a plan, I really only emailed to keep him in the loop. I now know that this kind of collaboration and communication is imperative.

Self-evaluation: Me and this counselor were able to create a plan with my cooperating teacher and the student to improve their grade. This particular student was grateful for the plan and stuck to it pretty tightly. Overall, this relationship I built with the counselor taught me the positive outlook a student may have when they see they have multiple people in their corner.