Dispositions Reflection

Professional Dispositions Reflection

Looking back on this semester, I’ve definitely seen growth in myself—not just in how I teach, but in how I think about teaching. Two dispositional areas I feel really comfortable with are Collegiality and Responsiveness, and my Desire to Improve My Own Performance.

Throughout my placements at both Lesher Middle School and Johnson Elementary, I’ve consistently looked to others—mentors, coaches, and other teachers—for advice and new ideas. I love getting different perspectives and learning how other educators approach challenges. It helps me reflect on my own teaching and try out strategies I haven't thought about. I enjoy being able to bounce ideas off others and have open conversations about what’s working and what’s not.

I’ve also always been someone who wants to improve. After every lesson or observation, I spend time thinking about what went well and what I could have done differently. I’ve taken feedback seriously and made changes right away. For example, after getting suggestions about how to better organize my printmaking lesson for kindergarteners, I reworked it—and the next time I taught it, it went much more smoothly.

One area I really want to focus on more moving forward is Cultural Responsiveness. I grew up in a mostly white, upper-class community, and I’m realizing now how important it is to intentionally include and represent all students' backgrounds in the classroom. I want every student to feel seen and understood—not just through the lessons I teach, but through the environment I create. I’ve started thinking more critically about the content I use and how I can bring in different cultural perspectives in a meaningful way, but I know I still have a lot to learn.

These dispositions connect directly to the kind of teacher I want to be. My professional goals include creating a classroom where every student feels welcome, supported, and inspired to learn. I also want to keep growing—both through collaboration with others and through personal reflection. I know that staying open-minded, being willing to learn, and working to be more culturally aware will help me build stronger relationships with my students and become the kind of educator they deserve.