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Current Understanding (December 2007): I have done a lot of reflecting over this past semester as I have taught several lessons to both students and my peers. This has given me a chance to reflect upon what went well in those lessons, what didn't go as well, and what I would do differently next time. It also gave me a chance to then modify my lesson plans so that the next time I teach them, I can improve upon those things that did not go as well as planned. As I have been through this reflective process several times, I find myself critiquing things now as I teach, modifying the lesson as I go, and making mental notes about what to do differently next time. This skill of reflection is necessary as we continue to strive to be better teachers. I have included a few of my lesson reflections, as well as a reflection on the process of creating a technology-based lesson. As I continue to grow more comfortable in the role of being a teacher, I have also started to ask more questions and want more knowledge about different aspects of the job. It is important to know the history of the profession, but I feel it is even more important to continually be learning about where the profession is going, what the best teaching practices are, and what the research is telling us about our students and their learning styles. These things will continue to change, and therefore we must continue to change with them. This means that teachers need to seek out opportunities to grow in their knowledge of their discipline and in educational practices in general. One of the ways to do this is through professional conferences. Although I did not get a chance to attend the Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) conference this fall, I look forward to attending the conference this spring as a means of becoming familiar with the organization, meeting other mathematics teachers from around the state, and learning some of the newer practices and techniques for teaching math. August 2007 Understanding: There is so much information out there that is available to teachers, it is hard to figure out where to start, what to read, and what new practices to use. However difficult that may be, it is important that educators are always collaborating with other professionals, reading literature on the best teaching practices, and actively improving their skills. Part of this evolves from our own self-assessments; knowing where we need improvement and in what areas we are least comfortable. We can then seek out the proper venue for support, which may include workshops, a one-on-one discussion with a veteran teacher or an administrator, or reading the latest research-based techniques for teaching. Any change that is made to our classrooms should be evaluated for its effectiveness. Finally, educators have the responsibility to know and follow the Code of Ethics for Minnesota Teachers. Baseline Understanding: I am learning that reflection is an important aspect of teaching. We must constantly reflect upon what we are doing, how it effects our students and colleagues, and how we can improve in the future. Teachers must also strive to be lifelong learners, which includes staying up-to-date on the latest teaching strategies and philosophies. Return to Standard 9 |
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(507) 625-8256 l karipratt@charter.net |
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