Standard 9 Reflection

Title: Student Teaching HS notes/reflection

Date: October 31, 2014

Artifact Description:
The above artifact is the compiled notes and reflection from my student teaching experience at River Valley High
School with Rebecca Schinker as my cooperating teacher. For every daily entry, I first listed most notable
changes Id like to see in myself from things my teacher did or things I didnt like in my own teaching. Next, I
outlined the daily events and what could be improved upon therein. Going through this document after my
quarter of teaching at a high school of about 400 proved to be very encouraging. There are many notes of
improvements, but within those improvements shows my great experience- my personal criticisms became
smaller and less significant as time went on.

ALIGNMENT: Wisconsin Teacher Standard Alignment:

This artifact best aligns with standard eight of the Wisconsin Teacher Development and Licensure Standards
which states: Teachers are able to evaluate themselves. The teacher is a reflective practitioner who
continually evaluates the effects of his or her choices and actions on pupils, parents, professionals in the learning
community and others and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.
This artifact aligns with standard eight because these notes reflect on my intentions on growing both
professionally and for the students. Opportunities during student teaching abounded for my teaching to grow.
Each day I discovered a new technique that I attempted to use or made sure to remind myself for future use.
This strategy is what reflection is all about- taking action to evaluate oneself for the purpose of positively effecting
others. As a result of this experience, I am now more informed and proficient in my teaching abilities.

UW Platteville School of Education Knowledge, Skill, Disposition Statement Alignment

I believe this experience best aligns with KS4.a. Reflects on Teaching of the UW-Platteville School of Education
Knowledge, Skill, and Disposition Statements which states: The candidate makes an accurate and thoughtful
reflection of his/her teaching effectiveness, is aware of specific elements of his/her teaching that contributed to
successful instruction, and can offer alternative teacher action to predict future successes of alternate
approaches.
I believe this experience best aligns with KS4.a. because my reflections for each were in specific
attempt to plan for future successes and prepare for alternative approaches. Feeling more
confident in the classroom environment doesnt just come from experience because if you
forget what happened during that rush of time, it is hard to improve on your technique.
However, with documented evidence of thought-out challenges for personal improvement, a
person can bring his or her teaching effectiveness to a greater level with each passing day. I
feel the benefits of my reflection in my classroom confidence, and this reflecting style has
become a teaching habit already.
Secondary Alignment
SD4.d. Contributes to the School and District
KSD2.d. Manages Student Behavior
Reflection
What I learned about teaching and learning:
This reflection paper highlights my learning experiences specific to improvements I want to be made upon my
own teaching. River Valley was a great school to student teach at because my cooperating teacher was
phenomenal. I was sure to document all the great advice and techniques she used that I saw could potentially
help my future classroom. As far as teaching goes, I feel stronger. Then there is the learning that was done, but
what is more important is the learning that will continue to be done as I continue to reflect and take note on my
teaching techniques so that I am more effective in teaching for the purpose of my students learning more
efficiently.

What I learned about myself as a prospective educator:

As a prospective educator, I will continue reflections- maybe not as detailed, but surely in notetaking form for improvements to be made and pitfalls to watch out for. Once you start to
evaluate yourself, teachers wanting to improve on themselves wont be soon to stop. I am
excited for my own classroom again one day to see students grow musically and in other ways
as I have grown in my teaching confidence and effectiveness.