3. Who am I? I am a 6 th grade Language Arts & Science Teacher. I see my roles as being a student, teacher, a wife, and a mother. I would say that many times these roles overlap, and I sometimes don’t know how to do them very well. Yet I enjoy them. However I felt I needed to improve the best I could. I wanted more. So, I began the READ program for the sole purpose of learning to teach students I was unprepared to teach; however, I learned and understand so much more about education, leadership, literacy and practice that I ever realized I would. Now I can add Researcher, Leader, and Practitioner to my list of roles.
4. My Work and Growth as a Master Reading Student Development of a Researcher, a Leader, and a Practitioner Highlighted through the following courses: READ 6406 READ 6421 SPED 6002 EDUC 6480 ELEM 6550 EDUC 6001
5. BECOMING A RESEARCHER: Research: EDUC 6480 was one of my first courses as a READ Student, along with READ 6418. I developed vocabulary, insights, and analytical skills throughout the journey. These courses prepared for my next steps in READ 6406: It was in this class I felt an actual member of the field of educational research. Therefore, as my exemplification in the competencies of RESEARCHER, I chose my research for the LITERATURE REVIEW AND PROPOSAL. Why I chose this task: The number one goal that I want for my students is that students apply what they have learned. They go beyond basic understanding to true knowledge. The Literature Review and Proposal shows my own meeting of that goal. It exemplifies my critical reading of reading education literature and the investigation of action research. Competency Goal C: Research Uses research to examine and improve reading instruction effectiveness and student achievement.
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7. BECOMING A LEADER: As a young student I received the “leadership qualities” comment on report cards until I became the Student Council guru in High School; yet, leading in a field where you have little expertise is difficult. My basis in Research and in Leadership courses gave me the confidence to try to be a Literacy Leader in my School I felt qualified to share research and opinions with colleagues and serve in a capacity to teach both my students and other teachers. Therefore, as my exemplification in the competencies of LEADERSHIP, I chose my completion of the HOME SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP PROJECT. Why I chose this task: This assignment led to me to become an authority on a specific topic: the communication and importance of a home-school connection, and to then be a presenter on this topic. The most memorable experience from this assignment is that I thought I had failed.
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10. WORDS THEIR WAY, EDUC 6001, & SPED 6002 The connection between the strategies and principles of Words Their Way by Bear, Invernezzi, Templeton, and Johnston and the ideas behind the education of students with special needs and meeting diversity is quite a perfect match. Both allow for students to receive the assessments that drive instruction and instruction that fits their needs, respectfully I now have first hand knowledge of this pairing. My Reflection “ Going into these lessons, I looked at the tasks as spelling. I wasn’t open minded about the possibilities the lessons had, and I honestly dreaded having to take the time to teach the lessons. I didn’t see their place in a middle school classroom or with my school’s goal of increasing Reading EOG scores. However, by the end of the lessons, I did have a different opinion about word sorts and their place in the classroom.”
11. My Work and Growth as a Master Reading Teacher When the student is ready, the master appears. ~Buddhist Proverb
12. A Metamorphosis In Progress Throughout the courses I have taken in the READ program, I have grown in the three main areas of Literacy Education. All of these areas affect my day to day duties in the classroom. My courses have changed the way I view many things: Instruction and its organization Testing Diversity Assessment and its place Teaching leadership and reaction to change The power of “the connection to reading” While I am now much more confident in my own knowledge and leadership capabilities, I am working on the transformation in the classroom. As I have read about leaving “tracks of learning” in Strategies that Work by Harvey and Goudvis, I am slowly starting to lay the tracks for my students and colleagues to follow me. In time, I will transform my classroom, but I keep telling myself that the baby tracks I’m making do count.
13. My Future Plans for Professional Growth I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma. ~Eartha Kitt
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15. References Bear, D. R., Invernezzi, M., Templeton, S., & Johnston, F. (2007). Words Their Way (Fourth Edition). Columbus, OH: Prentice Hall. Bolman, L.G., & Deal, T. E. (2010). Reframing the path to school leadership . Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press (2nd ed.). -Harvey, S. and Goudvis, A. (2007). Strategies That Work (Second Edition) . York, Maine: Stenhouse Publishers. Johnson, Spencer. (1998). Who moved my cheese? . Penguin Putnam. Piaget's Theory of Child Development http://www.simplypsychology.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/piaget.html Quotations about Learning http://www.quotegarden.com/learning.html Link to E-Portfolio Contents http://moodle.aos.ecu.edu/mod/assignment/view.php?id=14465
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