Calvin College

Final Elementary Student Teaching Evaluation

Completed by Mentor Teacher

Student Teacher: Andrews. Joline

Date of Experience: Fall Semester (September - December, 2016) Mentor Teacher: Depker, Sheryl

School: Southwest Community Campus City: Grand Rapids, MI

College Supervisor: Susan Wilkins Grade Level: 6th

Subject Areas: Math and Language Arts

Date: 12/8/2016 9:35:49 PM

Rating Key: Please rate the teacher candidate in the following areas; selecting the number that best describes
his/her knowledge and performance.
4: Student exceeded expectations.
3: Student met expectations.
2: Student showed some inconsistency in meeting expectations.
1: Student failed to meet expectations.
N: Not observed.

1. The teacher candidate is knowledgeable in the relevant content areas.

Rating
Only rate subjects which the candidate taught.
1.1 Reading/Language Arts 3
1.2 Writing 3
1.3 Mathematics 3
1.4 Social Studies
1.5 Science
1.6 Bible/Religious Studies
1.7 Other subject areas:
Chinese
Computer Skills
ESL
Fine Arts (Art, Music, Theater)
French
German
Health
Physical Education
Spanish
Speech
Other

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Please comment on the candidates knowledge in relevant content areas.

Joline has demonstrated a strong knowledge of content in both math and language arts. She has shown a good
understanding of the standards in these content areas and continues to develop in her ability to assess student
understanding and learning of those standards.

2. The teacher candidate takes into account the multiple factors that influence
student learning. The candidate: Rating

2.1 Is responsive to the developmental and ability factors that influence student
3
learning and classroom climate.
2.2 Understands contextual factors, such as culture, race, socioeconomic status and
4
gender that impact student achievement.
2.3 Reflects upon existing educational structures, policies, and issues and is aware of
4
current reform efforts.

Please comment on the candidates understanding of the multiple factors that influence student learning.

The students in my classroom are predominantly Hispanic students from a low socioeconomic level. The majority of
them come from Spanish-speaking homes where many of the parents did not attend school past the 8th grade level.
Family is of the utmost importance in their community, and the uncertainty of the immigration situation in our country
and what it could mean for their families is a cause of stress for my students. Joline arrived to her placement with a
well-developed understanding of these cultural and societal factors that influence student learning. Her experiences
outside of the US and in working with similar populations in her previous jobs or positions, have given Joline first-hand
experience and helped her to understand, beyond just a textbook level of knowledge, many of these factors.

3. The teacher candidate creates and delivers effective lessons and appropriate
Rating
assessments that are meaningful for all students. The candidate:
3.1 Translates standards and curriculum into appropriate goals and plans. 3
3.2 Creates daily goals and plans that take into account students diverse abilities and
3
developmental levels as well as culture, race, socioeconomic status, and gender.
3.3 Uses a variety of instructional approaches and teaching strategies. 4
3.4 Adjusts and revises instruction based on student responses and needs. 3
3.5 Makes good use of a variety of instructional resources. 3
3.6 Integrates information technology appropriately into instruction and assessment. 3
3.7 Helps students use technology in their learning. 3
3.8 Uses a variety of assessment procedures, both formal and informal, formative and
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summative, to evaluate teaching and learning.

Please comment on the candidates ability to create effective lessons, including appropriate assessments,
that are meaningful for all learners.

Joline has demonstrated a willingness to try new teaching methods in order to engage students and keep them
interested in the material. She is not afraid to take risks in trying something new in the classroom if it means that more
students will be engaged as learners.

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4. The teacher candidate demonstrates professionalism and care for students.
Rating
4.1 Candidate communicates effectively. The candidate:
4.1.1 Communicates appropriately in speaking, writing, and listening with students
3
from diverse groups.
4.1.2 Communicates appropriately in speaking, writing, and listening with parents and
3
guardians from diverse groups.
4.1.3 Demonstrates appropriate communication skills in speaking, writing and
4
listening with other professionals from diverse groups.
4.1.4 Demonstrates the ability to compromise and problem solve. 4
4.1.5 Demonstrates ability to use technology to effectively support reporting and
3
communication.

Please comment on the candidates professionalism and care for students as demonstrated in his/her
communication.

Joline has carried herself this entire semester in a very professional manner in her interactions with colleagues and
administrators. She presents as confident, yet eager to learn and understand. Joline has participated in our PLCs and
staff meetings, usually listening, but also offering her insights and asking questions to clarify what she is unsure of. Her
interactions with students are kind and supportive, and she easily laughs with students, showing them that she
genuinely enjoys spending time with them.

4.2 Candidate demonstrates appropriate dispositions and behaviors.

Rating
The candidate:
4.2.1 Exhibits moral and ethical behavior. 4
4.2.2 Approaches teaching with enthusiasm, energy and initiative. 4
4.2.3 Completes all tasks in a high quality manner. 3
4.2.4 Manages the time demands and other stresses of teaching effectively. 4
4.2.5 Identifies strengths and weaknesses of his/her own professional practice based
4
on critical reflection.
4.2.6 Receives feedback from students, parents, and colleagues and adapts
4
performance appropriately.
4.2.7 Transfers new understandings appropriately to personal teaching practices. 4
4.2.8 Participates in the professional community of the school and college. 4
4.2.9 Exhibits concern for the wants and needs of others. 4
4.2.10 Demonstrates care for students psychological and social well-being. 4

Please comment on the candidates professionalism and care for students as demonstrated in his/her
dispositions and behaviors.

Joline understands the importance of proximity to students when working with them. She makes herself available to
them, demonstrating to them that they are important and worthy of her time and attention. Students are eager to
share things with her, whether it's what they will do that evening, what they did the previous night, etc., and she cares
enough about them to follow up with them to see how something turned out for them. Her warmth and caring
demeanor attract them to her, yet she is firm in her boundaries and expectations, so they also have a great deal of
respect for her.

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4.3 Candidate develops positive and productive learning communities.
Rating
The candidate:
4.3.1 Knows and implements school policies. 4
4.3.2 Creates a positive classroom climate that promotes openness, mutual respect,
3
and caring.
4.3.3 Communicates and puts into practice clear expectations for student behavior,
3
promoting self-discipline and ensures a safe environment for students.
4.3.4 Demonstrates flexibility in facilitating routines and transitions and in responding
4
to unexpected occurrences.

Please comment on the candidates professionalism and care for students as demonstrated in his/her
ability to develop positive and productive learning communities.

Joline has a strong teacher presence that lends itself to an ability to create an environment conducive to learning. She
knows the expectations for the classroom and the school, and respectfully holds students accountable for following
them. She does so, however, in a manner that encourages the students to reflect on their behavior and choices, and
then, in a respectful manner that encourages ownership on their part, she helps redirect their behavior when needed.
Joline understands the importance of positive feedback and praise, and has become more adept at positively
reinforcing behavior rather than focusing solely on what students are doing wrong. This ability contributes
tremendously to a positive classroom environment.

5. The teacher candidate can describe how faith (worldview) impacts the way they teach and learn.

Please respond to ONE of the prompts below, based on whether your school is publicly funded or faith-
based.

Faith-Based Schools: Teacher candidates at Calvin College are nurtured and challenged to develop an
understanding of how the Bible informs their teaching, content, and vision for education and its
connection to society. Please comment on how well the teacher candidate articulates and enacts this
understanding.

Publicly Funded Schools: Teacher candidates at Calvin College are nurtured and challenged to develop a
principled perspective that informs their teaching, content, and vision for education and its connection to
society. Please comment on how well the teacher candidate articulates and enacts this perspective.

I think Joline's faith is what guides her in her understanding of who our students are and in how she responds to them.
She does not view herself as a "white savior" coming in to work with the "poor innercity kids", as so often happens. I
feel her faith has led her to work with our students out of a desire to see them succeed, and her knowledge of them as
God's creation allows for her to see opportunities to learn from them. I think she recognizes that God is using them in
her life just as much as He is using her in their lives.

Summary Comments:

Overall, I have been incredibly impressed with Joline and the skill set she brings with her to the classroom. She is
bilingual, kind, intelligent, and someone who seems to genuinely love being with students. She has a strong
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 understanding of pedagogy and, as stated earlier, does not hesitate to try new teaching strategies. She is highly
motivated to engage the students and eager to collaborate with other teachers. She is a positive team member who
encourages others and asks questions when she doesn't understand something. She is reflective about her own
teaching practice, and very open to receiving feedback. Throughout this semester, Joline has been dependable,
professional and adaptable. There were numerous occasions where something pushed a lesson back or something
scheduled didn't happen as planned, yet Joline was able to improvise and adapt her teaching to keep students on
track.
For all of these reasons, I am happy to highly recommend Joline Andrews for a K-8 teaching position.

Questions about this form? Email Gwen Buteyn in Calvins Education Department: gb23@calvin.edu .