Growth Assessment

Rachael Greenstein
EDUC 526 Capstone Experience in Digital Teaching and Learning
Professor Joanne Gilbreath
Murrieta Regional Campus

SECTION ONE
Rachael Greenstein EDUC 526 Growth Assessment Page 1 Murrieta Regional Center
Fall II Decemeber 2014

Introduction
There are many reasons for which I have decided to enroll myself in the Masters
program here at Azusa Pacific University. First off, I have come into contact with numerous
people who have successfully graduated from the program and each of them rave about how well
the program prepared them for their career in teaching. In addition, at the time, I was trying to
work my way back into a Christian community after overcoming some life struggles and this was
the perfect kickstart. When I first started in the program, I was working part-time as a
receptionist at an R.V. sales company, where I was constantly to blame for all wrongs in our
customers life. During this time, the only responsibility I had was myself. I worked, went to
school, and played soccer and that was just about the gist of my life. The main reason that I
brought myself into this program was to become a teacher who could implement technology into
the classroom, which I believe to be a reason for most, if not all, of my peers. The more
important influence of why I had a burning desire to obtain my Masters degree is because I am
the only person in my family to have a Bachelors degree, let alone a Masters degree. Bringing
happiness to my family creates a certain sense of pride for me that cannot be obtained in any
other fashion. I have learned a lot about myself throughout this program and I am so thankful to
have gone through this program.
Personal Growth
In regards to where I have grown in a personal matter, I am not certain that I can put it all
into words. I have learned that my learning style is most definitely kinesthetic, especially handson, experiential learning. I have had the same study habits my whole college career, the kind
where you wait till the last possible minute and cram it all in. It is a very ineffective habit, but I
have survived thus far. Deadlines for me are required or else I will wait till the last possible
moment and be in tears and a basket case in an attempt to get the work completed. With
deadlines, I can plan my days and work a little bit each day until it is completed. Throughout the
program, I have reacquainted myself with an old friend who I used to play soccer with when we
were very young. In addition, I have made so many friends that I cherish. These girls are the fire
behind my success, for we all push each other to do our best and never give up, no matter how
many assignments are thrown at us. I am certain that this last year and a half would be absolutely
Rachael Greenstein EDUC 526 Growth Assessment Page 2 Murrieta Regional Center
Fall II Decemeber 2014

miserable without the companionship that I have found in the last year and a half. Not only did
the friendships blossom, but so did my faith. I went through a life-changing experience when I
was at the tender age of 18 when I was diagnosed with a chronic, autoimmune disease that
proved to be not only very painful, but a pain. It tested everything that I had ever believed, but
coming to this university and listening to the testimonies of so many other people who have had
similar or even worse experiences than what I have been through, makes me believe that there is
something much greater for me than having severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. This degree, to me, is a
way to prove to my students and anyone who will listen that we can do anything that we want to
do. Life has no restrictions, only the ones we put upon ourselves. I meet students every day who
have never even dreamt of college because their parents are of low economic status. I hope that
this message can be relayed through my accomplishments someday and that students will strive
to reach their dreams, for this was my dream as a young child pondering what the future held for
me.
Professional Growth
Throughout my studies at APU, I think I have grown into an educator. I cannot claim that
I was an educator before the professors and mentors of APU got ahold of me. Common Core
State Standards was not even in my vocabulary, class management was inexistent and my
greatest fear, and multicultural education was simply celebrating Cinco de Mayo. Since then, I
have become a completely new educator. Thanks to Kathy Johnson, I now have the stare down
to the point where I can get an entire class of 25 six year olds to be silent without saying a single
word. Thanks to Mary Isaacs and Rick Riley, I incorporate games and activities into my lessons.
Thanks to Tory Temple, Lance Martin, Joanne Gilbreath, and Jim Sullivan, technology is no
longer something that intimidates me, I can embrace it and utilize it even with first graders. I
know the intelligences in which most of my students learn best. I have an understanding to be
passionate to students who are trouble makers, for they are struggling beyond what I can ever
comprehend. The responsibilities that have changed for me since Fall of 2013 are endless. I have
earned a full-time teaching position, where I am in charge of teaching 25 first graders, so these
kids have become my responsibility. When they hurt, I feel it. It is something that cannot be
explained, simply only felt. I now own the car of my dreams, which also drains a bit of my
paycheck each month. I still live at home because I am saving up to buy a house. I never would
have thought that by the age of 24, I will own my own house.
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My Action Research Study is an experiment in which I am attempting to conquer my

laundry. At the ripe age of 23, the last thing that I want to do in my spare time between school,
work, and soccer is laundry. I despise hanging up and folding clothes, especially when I am just
going to have to repeat the process with the same clothes next week. I researched numerous
strategies on how to conquer laundry and many sources claimed that creating a schedule and
sticking to it is the most effective strategy in keeping up with the laundry. The ultimate question
and the problem statement of my action research project is: If I plan to complete a small amount
of laundry each day, will I be able to conquer the laundry and settle into a routine?
Technical Growth
I have always struggled with whether or not I was a Digital Immigrant or a Digital
Native. I grew up with the iPods and the cell phones, but never in my young life did I foresee a
six year old owning their own iPhone. When I first started the program, I was able to navigate
through technology or I knew to just google it. Now, I can create videos with special effects, I
can search apps under any subject that I want, and most importantly, I can implement technology
into my classroom. I have scratched the surface on the capabilities on what you can do with an
iPad. In EDUC 514, I created a video using special effects to teach my students how to tie their
shoes. I struggled in the beginning with iMovie, but now, I can create a full length video. Thanks
to Lance Martins EDUC 515, I have the power to use social media for good and learn from other
people who are just like me. In EDUC 512, I have learned to create a Webquest and how to use
all of the tools that accompany most laptops and MacBooks such as excel and Microsoft
programs. In EDUC 522, Lisa showed me the true meaning of Multiple Intelligences and how
essential it is to reach all students in my lesson plans and activities. The apps and hardware that I
learned in this program are endless. Some examples are QR codes, FXCreatures, iMovie,
ShadowPuppet, TeamViewer, MoleSkin, etc. The most important tool for apps that I have learned
is a website called appolicious.com where you can search absolutely anything you want or need
and it will list every single app that they have in regards to the search.
Life Long Learning Plan

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I never would have imagined that I would have a Masters Degree at the young age of 23.
As of this current period in time, I am going to take a break from school, for I have never not
been in school and I am quite burnt out. In the near future, I would like to obtain a Masters in
reading, which is not offered through Azusa Pacific. In addition, I would like to attend multiple
seminars to keep myself updated with the most recent and current research and strategies. I am
certain these classes are offered through the Riverside County Office of Education. Thanks to
Donna Blocks TEP 508 class, I have become very intrigued with reading and will eventually
become a reading specialist. Since teaching first grade, I have become very aware of the
struggles that students face with learning to read and enhancing the reading skills that they
already have. As stated previously, this will be in the next few years, for I am in need of a break
from school. Within the next five to ten years, I see myself still teaching at the school that I am
currently at. I would like to remain in first grade for the next few years until I feel that I have
mastered the grade level. The principal at the school where I work is incredible, so I do not plan
to change schools. Educationally, I will definitely be farthing my education, but at this point, I
am not interested in obtaining a doctorate due to the fact that I do not wish to pursue
administration in the district. Personally, I hope to have children and a family that I go home to
each and every day. I am still quite young, so I do not plan to have kids for another few years.
SECTION TWO
History of Coursework and Course Evaluation
Livebinder URL:

Name:
Term:
Course

Course Title &

Instructor Name

Term Completed

Key Skills Acquired Comments and

Suggestions

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Fall II Decemeber 2014

EDUC 511

Foundations in Summer 2014

Digital Teaching
and Learning
Instructor: Joanne
Gilbreath

Creating
Wordle
Creating
Livebinder
Setting
expectations for
the
program

EDUC 512

Instructional
Applications
Productivity
Software

Winter 2014

Instructor: Jim
Sullivan
EDUC 514

Digital Video in
the Classroom
Instructor: Tory
Temple

Smart Board
WebQuest
Projectors
Apple Products
such as Apple
T.V.

Great class and

a wonderful
introduction to
the
program. I felt
more comfortable
with the entire
program after
discussing with
Joanne.
Jim is a very kind
man and I enjoy
this class. All of the
articles were very
interesting and
definitely worth the
read.

Apps for numerous

grade levels
Fall 1 2014

iMovie
Special Effects
Apps
Scene Cutting

Tory is
extremely
knowledgeable
and holds
interesting
classes. The
one
suggestion I
would make is
the
grading, for it
was very
subjective.
Being our first
class in video
production, I feel
that we should not
be held to quite as
high of standards.

Rachael Greenstein EDUC 526 Growth Assessment Page 6 Murrieta Regional Center
Fall II Decemeber 2014

EDUC 515

Evolving
Educational
Technologies

Fall 1 2014

Instructor: Lance
Martin

EDUC 522

Learning in the
21st Century

Summer 2014

Instructor: Lisa
Rodriguez

EDUC 526

Winter 2014
Capstone
Experience/Digi
tal Teaching
and Learning

Social Media
and how we
can use it to
enhance
education.
Multiple Apps
for multiple
grade
levels.
Blogging

Lance is so

Multiple
Intelligences
QR Codes
Unit Planning with
Technology
incorporation
appolicious.com
(most useful
website I learned
in the program)

I truly enjoyed
this class. It
was

Website
creation
Lesson Plan

So far, this class

has been a great
way to look back
and reminisce on
how the program
has changed me
and enhanced my
teaching skills.

creation

Instructor: Joanne
Gilbreath

understanding and
so willing to help.
He truly wants all
of us to succeed.

definitely a lot of
work, but I learned
so much with Lisa.
There were so
many apps that
she showed us
that enhanced
learning.

Evaluation of the Digital Teaching and Learning

Due to the fact that I am a first grade teacher, the most effective technological tool that I
will use for my students is the app list that I created in EDUC 512 so that I can enhance learning
for my students in both math and reading. Using the iPad as an instructional tool is effective for
the minds of six year olds due to the fact that they have no clue that they are actually learning
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Fall II Decemeber 2014

while they are playing the games. Some of the apps are include practice with the High Frequency
Words for the week, math for first graders, and numerous Language Arts games. There are
numerous apps that I put on my list that read with and to the children. This is an essential tool for

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the foundations of reading for students who are learning to read. To integrate the iPads, I exercise
the Daily 5 where students have the option to choose the activities that they complete whether
it is silent reading, literacy games, technology, working on writing, or listening to reading. These
are often the first choices of the students, but they are aware that they cannot have the same
activity twice in one day. They must complete all five activities each day. In addition, using the
iPads for instruction is effective because it is simple to differentiate instruction. I have two
students who are excelling in math, so I have shown them apps that are made for puzzling the
mind to challenge them beyond what the other students are learning.
Program Evaluation
Overall, Azusa Pacific has been an incredible experience. From the moment I stepped in
the door, the women at the front desk made me feel like apart of the Azusa Pacific family. Each
person that I have come into contact with has been positive and upbeat, making the often
stressful points of graduate school run smoothly. My credential analyst worked closely with me
to ensure that my degree posted quickly so that I could get a job for the 2014-2015 school year.
Nearly all of my professors that I have come into contact with have been incredibly supportive
and taught me strategies and style that I have implemented into my own teaching. Within the
credential program, Rick Riley, Mary Issacs, Kathy Johnson, and Donna Block showed me what
it felt like to really enjoy teaching considering they have been teachers for decades and still glow
when they speak of their profession. They were all incredibly understanding with the workload
and worked closely with each of us to ensure our success. There are many strengths of the
credential program such as the professors who are associated with it, the connections they have
with getting student teachers placed, and the support system that we have in not only the
professors, but in the administration and the credentialing staff. The only weakness that I can
truly pick out is the fact that we were placed in our student teaching assignments only days
before beginning. It would be a more smooth entrance if we were able to visit the school and the
class to gain a sense of what we would be getting into. In addition, I believe that some of the
professors need to be reassessed for their effectiveness in teaching new teachers.
I could not have been led to a more efficient and outstanding school than the program I
have almost completed here at Azusa Pacific University. Anyone who is looking towards
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obtaining their teaching credentials gets an earful of just how much I appreciate all that APU has
done for me. The staff and professors have truly assisted me in following my dreams and I will
be forever grateful.

Candidate Dispositions
NCATE defines dispositions as professional attitudes, values and
beliefs demonstrated through both verbal and non-verbal behaviors as
educators interact with students, families, colleagues and communities.
These positive behaviors support student learning and development.
The two professional dispositions that NCATE expects institutions to
assess are fairness and the belief that all students can learn. (NCATE
2008)

N/A

Not
Displayed/
Not
Acceptable

Sometimes
Displayed/
Approaches
Acceptable

Usually
Displayed/
Acceptable

Always
Displayed/
Target

Cannot
Assess

Ethical educators who are able to understand and articulate the integration of a Christian worldview in their professional communities of
practice display:
Personal integrity
x

Collaborative, cooperative and respectful behaviors

x

Fairness in educational settings by meeting the educational needs of all

students in a caring, non-discriminatory and equitable manner

Sensitivity to cultural and individual differences

x

Personal and professional maturity

x

Personal integrity
x

Comments regarding your strengths/areas for improvement (Ethical):

.

Responsive educators who practice reflective critical thinking in their engagements with diverse communities of learners display:
Responsiveness to the expectations and standards of the professional
community

Rachael Greenstein EDUC 526 Growth Assessment Page 10 Murrieta Regional Center
Fall II Decemeber 2014

Responsiveness to conditions that promote learning, health and

personal safety in the P-12 school and community

Effective communication within the educational community

x

Commitment to fair academic practices that ensure all students can

learn

Responsiveness to the impact of discrimination based on race, class,

gender, disability/exceptionality, sexual orientation and language on
students and their learning

Effective time management

x

Appearance and dressing appropriate for ones professional setting

x

Comments regarding your strengths/areas for improvement (Responsive):

.

Informed and collaborative scholarly educators who are dedicated to professional growth and lifelong learning display:
Commitment to adapting and applying the best research-based ideas to
improve clinical practice

Understanding of current and emerging trends in their field of practice

x

Knowledge of standards and expectations of their discipline through

relevant activities and projects in the program

Ability to apply and communicate current research effectively in

coursework

Ability to synthesize and apply course content, projects, clinical practice

and professional work

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Comments regarding candidate strengths/areas for improvement (Informed):

.

Summative Score for Candidate Dispositions:

72

Additional Comments:
.

Rachael Greenstein EDUC 526 Growth Assessment Page 12 Murrieta Regional Center
Fall II Decemeber 2014

Rachael Greenstein EDUC 526 Growth Assessment Page 13 Murrieta Regional Center
Fall II Decemeber 2014