Reflection
The experiences and knowledge I have gained this semester is something I will forever be grateful for. My CT, the 2nd grade team, and now the entire 1st grade team as well as mentor have helped me grow as a professional educator. I have learned things that I cannot and would not learn from a college classroom or a book. Each project I completed throughout this semester helped me grow as an educator and build my knowledge to implement in my own classroom as well. The final project, the FEAPs Portfolio, has helped me see and wrap my head around everything I have learned and all the experience needed to ensure that I am ready to take on my own classroom and be an effective educator.
FEAP 1 focused on the quality of instruction as well as lesson planning. This allowed me to make sure I was planning effective lessons that were aligned with the state standards and goals. Because I focused my lessons this way, students were able to build off of and connect knowledge from previously taught standards and objectives. FEAP 1 really encompasses how to create effective lessons that are standards based.
FEAP 2 focuses on the classroom environment and how students are learning from this environment. Organization, safety, effectiveness, inclusiveness, and collaboration are all key components that are focused within this FEAP. It really opened my eyes to how to create this type of environment within my classroom so that every student feels included and safe while learning.
FEAP 3 focused on delivery of instruction and facilitation. This Florida Educated Accomplished Practice helped me ensure I was creating lessons that were engaging as well as stimulating. This FEAP also helps ensure that educators are building lessons that deepen higher order thinking and knowledge connections in students. It allows us as the educator to see any knowledge gaps and modify our lessons to address any misconceptions. I included KWLs to address misconceptions, as these are extremely engaging and address misconceptions. This FEAP helped me expand the student achievement levels of my students.
FEAP 4 focuses on students' assessments. It ensure that we are designing and utilizing formative and summative assessments correctly to match our learning objective and standards so that students may reach mastery of subject matter and objectives. I also think this aligns with the Impact on Student Learning Project as I learned it was important and also helps to share the data with students as well as parents or guardians.
FEAP 5 focuses on the educator showing continuous improvement, responsibility, and ethics. This FEAP shows my growth throughout this semester and the growth will continue as I teach and grow each year. This FEAP also shows how educators should use data to drive their instruction. I plan to continue to implement the skills I've learned from this FEAP as well as all the others as I continue to teach in my own classroom.
FEAP 6 is based on the code of ethics and responsibility. It shows that I understand that educators are held to a higher standard and must conduct themselves that way in the classroom as well as in public. I am very serious about the way I am viewed professionally as an educator and I know that community members as well as parents will be holding me to a high standard. It is extremely important to follow the Code of Ethics and the Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession of Florida. I plan to sign my teaching contract and Florida Code of Ethics agreement as soon as the Florida Department of Education sends my teaching certification number to Charlotte County. I plan to adhere to these Ethics Codes.
Overall, the FEAPS Portfolio project has allowed me to learn but also reflect on everything I learned during my final internship semester. This experience is something I will forever cherish and continue to follow and grow.