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Assessing myself at the beginning of this school year I found that I had strengths in CSTP 2: creating and maintaining an effective learning environment, CSTP 6: developing as a professional educator, and CSTP 5: assessing my students. I struggled in the areas of CSTP 1: engaging and supporting all students in learning and CSTP 4: planning instruction and designing learning experiences for all students. After my inquiries completed during my second year of Induction, I recognize important improvements in who I am as a teacher. My inquiries helped me develop crucial teaching skills and strategies and provided me with many resources to add to my teacher toolbox. Upon reassessing myself now at the end of the school year, I have found that my areas of weakness are no longer problem areas as I have grown as an educator by connecting with students and their families (CSTP 6) and assessing my students (CSTP 5) has become one of my greatest strengths.
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I began this school year with the long-term growth goal of becoming better at connecting and communicating with my students, their parents and my colleagues (CSTP 6). I feel that through several inquiries, collaboration with colleagues in PLC's, and through the use of technology, such as ClassDojo, I have achieved this goal. Today, I feel that I have the tools and knowledge necessary to appropriately connect and communicate with my students and their families, as well as work professionally with my colleagues.
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Throughout this year, I have focused quite a bit on CSTP 6: Developing as a Professional Educator. I became a more confident educator, I connected more with my students and their families (CSTP 6.4) than I ever have in the past, developed a more professional relationship with my colleagues while working in Professional Learning Communities (CSTP 6.3), and used my knowledge and understanding of standards and assessment to improve not only my classroom, but also my grade level team and our school as a whole through year-long planning, backwards mapping, and weekly meetings to guide and support learning (CSTP 5). Beyond Induction, I would like to strengthen my roots as an educator through professional development courses and maybe even receiving my Master's. I am choosing these as my future goals because I think it is always so important to be a life long learner as the world of education is ever-changing. This will also help me continue to be a connected educator. I have surprised myself by becoming more confident in myself and how I present myself as a professional. I feel like I can effectively communicate about data and student's strengths and needs without doubting myself and that makes me feel really good.
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Sustainability & Advice |
A career in Education is not an easy one. I face different challenges every day as a teacher, and I found it to be incredibly important to put myself first at times. I do my best to not take work home and keep my weekends for myself. This is not always possible, but I try to make it a priority. When at school I think relationships are super important. Find a teacher buddy and love them with all your heart. Build the best relationships you can with your students and start fresh every day. Don't hold grudges about the little things. Last but not least, follow teacher pages on social media, scroll through Pinterest for fun ideas and inspirations, or listen to teacher podcasts that help spice up teaching life and get you out of being stuck in a set routine. These are some methods and strategies that help me stay in love with teaching and I hope they help any future or current teachers reading as well!
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