Week 1- Friday, January 8th

     I can't believe it is already here! It feels like I just got started in the education department and now I am almost at the finish line. Deciding to change my major to elementary education was one of the best decisions I have made. I have so many emotions right now as I begin student teaching. I am mostly excited because I am getting to do one of the things that I love most. However; I am also very nervous. This first week was a nice start. I would rate it a 4 out of 5. I observed for the majority of the week as my clinical educator taught our students over zoom each day. I think my rating would have been a 5 if the students were in class. It is sad to not be able to see them in person but I am hopeful that they will be returning to school soon. The bright side of our students being virtual is that I was able to spend more time with my clinical educator. She was able to show me more resources, introduce me to staff, and answer any questions that I had for her. I appreciate the time that we had together this week. 

    I was able to receive more resources this week from my clinical educator. I think that this will be a great help to me throughout the semester. I was also pleasantly surprised to see that my clinical educator managed to bring in another desk/table so that I could have my own space. I also feel that I am growing in my relationships with other staff members. This week was a good week to meet other teachers and staff because the students were virtual. I learned this week that even when the students are virtual and you may only do two zooms; there still doesn't seem to be enough time in the day. There is always something to be working on or planning. I also learned that I will definitely not be able to procrastinate this semester. To be successful, I will need to always be on task so that I can do my best and not rush through lesson plans or any other work that needs to be done. If I will keep my priorities straight and focus on what I need to focus on, I will be successful in the long run. To successfully complete my student teaching long-term goals; I will need to continue to use my time wisely, communicate well with my clinical educator, and search for resources that will help my students learn most effectively. I wish that I would have spent more time planning this past week. I did do some planning but I always seemed to get wrapped up in something else along the way. If I can set aside a certain amount of time each day to plan my lessons, I will be more successful. Luckily, our virtual and hybrid schedule allows me to have this time set aside. Sometimes I will find myself nervous to ask my clinical educator a question because I think it might make me sound not intelligent. I need to ask any and all questions that I can think of so that I can be successful and learn from my clinical educator. It is smarter to ask a question than to keep it to myself. The first steps that I will be taking next week are; successfully begin teaching the lessons that I am picking up and to plan every chance that I have. 

    I didn't have the opportunity to analyze much data this week, I know that I will have a lot more in the coming weeks. However; I did have the opportunity to hear from the person who specializes in helping ELL students. We have gained a new student this semester who does not speak any English, which will be quite a challenge. The specialist has informed us of how this student likes to learn as well as what might help her the most. 

    Because our students are virtual and I haven't started teaching yet, I don't have many experiences to share within each standard of the NCPTS. However, I used those standards to help me plan for the coming weeks. For standard 1, I was able to demonstrate leadership by reaching out to my clinical educator for information and resources so that I could plan lessons that will be beneficial for the students. For standard 2, I was able to establish a respectful environment by working with my clinical educator and other staff members to plan and communicate. I was also able to gain the information that I need to plan lessons that promote this positive and respectful environment. For standard 3, I was able to know the content that I will be teaching when I was planning the lessons for next week. I was also able to ensure that my lessons are appropriate for these students. For standard 4, I was able to plan instruction that is appropriate for my students. I was also able to integrate technology into my lesson plans. For standard 5, I had conversations with my clinical educator to reflect on what is working and what needs work. This reflection with my clinical educator helps me to see from another perspective. 

    I am excited to begin this journey. I know that I have the tools that I need to be successful!