InTASC Standard #9
Professional Learning

Rationale:​

Brief Description of Evidence: Throughout my time at Ivy Tech, I have completed over 40 hours of observation and field experience within a classroom setting. However, the classroom settings all looked a little different. I completed several hours at a local rural elementary school in both mild and moderate to severe classrooms. I also observed a resource room, general education classroom and a post-secondary training program for special needs adults. While each setting was different, I was able to gain some hands-on experience and learn more about myself and what I want for my future.

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Artifact:

 

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Reflection:

Analysis of What I Learned: In my opinion, there is no education that compares to getting hands-on experience in a field that you are aspiring to work in. That is why my hours of experience relates best with John Dewey’s Hands-On Learning Theory.  John Dewey’s Hands On Approach states that “We learn best by doing,” (2022). I was able to have more insight on where I see myself after I finish my schooling as well as get some hands-on experience working directly with students. With that being said, I am grateful for the opportunity to observe and work alongside wonderful educators and students. From these experiences, I learned that I would be incredibly happy to work with young children or adults with special needs. When I observed at Bloomfield Elementary School, I observed what it was like to work in a resource room and a general education classroom. After spending some time in a mild to moderate classroom, I do not think I would enjoy a resource room as much as I would having a group of my own students in my own mild classroom. I feel like I would be able to make more of a difference if I was able to have a group of my own students as opposed to students that were only pulled out for a short period of time. The time I spent at Albany Elementary in the mild to moderate and severe classrooms is where I felt that I learned the most. The teacher that I had the opportunity to observe has many years of experience, she is well respected by her students and it is so obvious that she has formed strong relationships with each student. In just the little amount of time I spent with her, it was refreshing to see a teacher exert so much love and compassion for her students. I learned that it is necessary to expect a lot from your students, because you will know what they are capable of, and in return they will respect you for pushing them to their fullest potential. I also had the opportunity to work directly with students during my time at Albany Elementary. In the severe classroom, I was able to help a student practice cutting with scissors with hand grips. I also got to watch students use their talking devices to communicate with others around them. Additionally, I was able to work one-on-one with students to get closer to mastering their IEP goals. I was most excited about working with the students but also seeing what system the teacher used to work on and track IEP goals.  I also spent a day at Erskine Green Training Institute where I had the opportunity to observe one of the instructors who trains and educates adults with special needs for a specific job. Not only do the students learn about this specific job and how to properly do it they are taught important life skills such as time management, interview skills, money management, pedestrian safety, transportation skills and safety and so much more. I was very impressed with the opportunity and organization that Erskine Green offers. I was thankful for the chance to see if working as a teacher for an organization or training institute, such as Erskine Green would be something I could see myself doing in the future. After spending a day with the educators and students, it would consider working in a post secondary training setting such as Erskine Green.  

 

How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the InTASC Standard: This lesson plan demonstrates my competence on InTASC Standard 9 Professional Learning and Ethical Practice, because I was able to complete over 40 hours of field experience and observations in order to learn and grow. I also reflected on each of those experiences, what they taught me and how they made me feel. I believe that I was able to pick up quickly on what the teachers' routines and expectations were and I was able to jump right in and help when it was needed. I was constantly asking questions, trying to make the most of my time and learn as much as I could from educators with many years of experience and different teaching styles and settings. In order to meet the needs of each learner, I have and will continue to put myself in situations where I am challenged and have the opportunity to learn new styles of teaching. For example, when considering my field experience observations, I know how important hands-on learning opportunities are, therefore I tried to put myself into different teaching situations so that I had more opportunities to learn and grow. I had the opportunity to observe a resource room setting, a mild room, a severe classroom and a post-secondary training setting with adults with mild disabilities. I will be most competent in standard 9 Professional Learning and Ethical Practice, if I continue to seek learning opportunities in various learning settings and communities.