Full Week 3

 Week of Reflection: Friday February 19, 2021

This week has been an… interesting adventure. I think I will rate it a 3/5! To start things off, we had a pipe burst last Friday afternoon which led to some interesting construction through Monday morning. Who knew pipes would smell so bad, haha! I have learned to be resilient through the changes in classroom location, not being able to sing inside still, and adapting my lessons due to terrible weather outdoors. It’s been a challenge! Through it all, my CE and accompanist have been the BEST team. I have really felt so comfortable with them this week and have been so well loved and supported by them. 

I have been an effective teacher this week, with the exception of one lesson where I made SO many piano mistakes. Sometimes I just can’t seem to play when trying to focus on my students. Even though I was struggling, it was effective for my students. They are SO shy in that class, and letting them giggle at my mistakes actually helped them to be more comfortable with the chance that they might make mistakes of their own. Mistakes are okay, because they show us where we need to grow! I have continued to have a lot of success with getting my students to engage with sight reading. More students performed rhythm examples by themselves for extra credit. In one instance, everyone in the class (even my low performing students) performed a level two rhythm excerpt CORRECTLY and by themselves. I was so proud! My beginner classes have actually caught up to my advanced class with sight reading for rhythm which has been really encouraging. Next week, I am going to try and help them get that same confidence with melodic sight reading.

I gave this week a 3/5 because Y’ALL. I am so nervous about edTPA. Is anyone else experiencing this? I have kept up with my deadlines and have created learning that is meaningful for my students, but I am so afraid of missing something and getting a non-scorable or missing the mark and not passing. I’ve been recently diagnosed with anxiety, and so I am sure that this is to blame but I have dealt with a lot of apprehension this week. While I am a little embarrassed to admit it, I wanted to share that because I am probably not alone.   

 My short term and long term goals are aligned because I have completed my second full week. My edTPA preparation goals are also still aligned with the School of Education calendar and my long term plan. I am in the editing phase, and am really trying to stay encouraged with my progress. I really miss feedback and interaction that isn’t via zoom, and have realized how much I need collaboration in my life. However, I know that God has intended for me to be a teacher and I am trusting that he will give me the skills needed to be successful. Here’s to clearing the mental clutter of WRITING edTPA and to moving on to finishing it and SUBMITTING it in a few short weeks! 

This week, I analyzed my student’s flipgrid assignments, reflection assignments, and their primary edTPA assessment for which just completed the commentary. I have been pleased with my student’s growth this week!  My advice for my student teacher friends this week: Seek the community around you and use your support system! My CE, US and family/friends are amazing but I have been hesitant to reach out to them when I needed it. Don’t pull a Madeline, and let your people love you. Also providing a friendly reminder: you are not too busy to take care of yourself. Eat dinner, take a long bath if you need to, and please let yourself sleep! 

I was a teacher leader (NCTCS 1) in my classroom this week as I facilitated more effective rehearsals, in regard to how I used my class time. I adapted my content to fill class period and keep students on task while meeting the schedule changes brought on by the snow day.I improved my NCTCS 2 standard this week by continuing work with an EC teacher to implement new behavior intervention strategies for one of my students. I have continued to see these strategies positively affect her ability to learn. I demonstrated knowledge of my content (NCTCS 3) by teaching students complex sight reading and rhythm reading accurately this week. I planned instruction appropriate for my students (NCTCS 4) by listening to their flipgrid recordings and reviewing sections where I noticed consistent errors, and by walking around and spot checking with students. I reflected on my practice (NCTCS 5) when I noticed a song that requires more piano practice from me, and dedicated time to that practice so that I can be a stronger teacher next week. 

(Dr. Johnson and I have not yet discussed my expectations for my portfolio. My CE and I do not need additional support at this time).