Katie's+Portfolio

=Term II Portfolio=

**Demonstrates Reflection**


I think that my goal to "grow as an educator" is shown best by viewing one of my class wikis I use with my students. http://gators5b.wikispaces.com/
 * Reaching goals for me and my students **

**Meeting at least 4 of the 9 IDS Outcomes**
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 * 2. Issues:** Best shown by the work we did at the following website


 * 3. Action Research:** I have attached a journal entry to give a taste of what my research has been for this term.

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 * 7. Technology:** here is the link to my Prezi presentation that I did for my Independent Study


 * 9. Student Growth:** I think this is best shown by the wiki I am using with my students as already posted above.

**Highly Reflective**
I think I have shown that I am highly reflective by the attached journal entry.

Outside of Classroom Learning
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I think that I got my push to forge ahead with my Prezi presentation from the Research Roundtable we attended during Term II. I am not one to use new technology but I saw a few presentations using this free, web-based approach and the outcome is just so appealing I couldn’t help myself.

[[file:Term II Portfolio.docx]]
=Term I Portfolio=
 * Key learning you have done and/orexperienced related to action research.**



Creating my action research proposal was a large learning experience for me in action research. Finding a question and formulating my plan of action of how to achieve my goal makes me feel prepared and ready to begin my research. I am excited to learn and create new data that has something to do with my field of education. All too often physical educatiors are left out of planning/learning processes and waste time learning information that is not usable in our classroom. So to be able to plan and create my own learning and have it be applicable to my teaching is greatly appreciated.


 * How you have worked toward meetin at least 4 of the 9 IDS program outcomes.**

Critical Reflection and Life History



My autobiography was an overwhelming experience. At first, I thought it was really hard to think of what drove me to become a teacher and what had led me in that direction. But, with all of the journaling prompts we did during term one, it just seemed to flow easily out of me. I had no idea that my dad was so influential in my choices to not only become a teacher but he instilled a good portion of my beliefs and teaching philosophy! I think digging out this information really has made me more aware of why I teach the way that I do and believe the way I do.

Diversity



I never realized how privileged a life I have had because I have white skin. I don't think of myself as biased or racist but when I catalogued how people treated me or others around me because of their job or position in life really made me realize that not everyone is as open minded as others. My parents always taught me to be very open minded but I have seen other sides of my parents since then which I find interesting. I think a lot has to do with fear and the thought of fairness, or lack there of. Overall, I learned that everyone needs to slow down and truly think before they speak or do anything so as not to offend or behave in a way that is racist or biased.

Technology

The example of new technology that I have learned is this wiki page! I had never used a wiki and since starting this cohort I have learned and fell in love with the possibilities of wikis! I don't consider myself of the digital technology age. I had computers in elementary school but we only used those to play Number Munchers, Oregon Trail, and do a small amount of word processing on. I have had to learn how to use all different types of technology from other sources and I am not the type to search it out myself. Now, I am planning on using a wiki as part of my action research with the hopes to continue with many of my classes into the future.


 * What you have learned/experienced (and/or applied if applicable) related to group process and community building.**



It is hard to provide evidence on all that I have learned from the members of my cohort. Check-in alone is a weekly learning experience where I picked up different teaching strategies, classroom management tips, or even different coping/de-stressing ideas that my classmates use. In class we also learned many different community building activities but I use those every year in my team building unit with the students. That is one of the most memorable units for the students because they navigate their success and failure as a team and I let them find that out the easy way. . . or sometimes the way. I feel very comfortable with my classmates and instructor because of this group process time. I think one of the most important group processing moments in term one was when we collaborated as a group and created our cohort constitution. This created guidelines for our group to follow as well as established trust between each member o fthe group. I believe that any group starting out could use some sort of collaborative contract that each person can own and follow to make each other successful and trusted.

[|http://www.racetonowhere.com]
 * What you have learned (and applied to your own teaching if applicable) from at least 1 of the assigned "texts" from the term.**

I went to a showing of this movie at Carroll University. I did not know very much about this film when I went to see it but I certainly gained a lot of knowledge from it! When I think of being a high school, middle school, or elementary student I don't relate it to hours of homework in my mind. I was a students that always knew exactly how to "play the game" of school. I did my homework, I studied for tests that I needed to study for, and overall, I enjoyed most of my school experiences. I easily adapted to almost all teachers that I had and was considered a "good student" to all of my teachers. But, after seeing this film, I realize that school is not what it used to be. The pressures on school-aged children to get impeccable grades, be part of multiple extra-curricular activities, and have numerous amounts of volunteer hours. That is a lot of pressure that I never felt and I don't think that kids need to feel. Some pressure is okay, but pressure to the effect of anxiety disorders, stomach ulcers, and even suicide is way to far over the limit. I have always contemplated using some homework for physical education to give my students a deeper knowledge of health and fitness and I was going to do it as part of my action research. Now, after seeing what is happening to students. . . or what could happen if more is added to the plates of our children, I have changed my action research to keep any work outside of school to a minimum and hopefully something that they can enjoy in this technology savvy generation. I think that all educators, parents, and community member should view this movie to put perspective on what society is turning into. I think that everyone is losing sight of what is important and too much "happiness" depends on money. . . which is far from true.

Before arriving at the Anti-Racist, Anti-Biased Conference, I had mixed feelings about what to expect. In my mind I pictured a very negative tone and feeling about the conference (maybe having to do with the words "Anti" in the title). Upon my arrival I was awe struck by the Indian School's beauty and originality. The school was like something from an architecture magazine. That same awe continued throughout the entire conference. From the powerful and igniting keynote speaker to the positive and informative session presenters. I found myself surrounded by educators trying to make a difference in the lives of children. . . just like me! I had such and educational and wonderful experience that I plan to annually attend this conference to continue my growth as an educator.
 * Key learning you have done as a result of at least on of the "Outside of Classroom Learning" experiences you have had.**

[|http://www.wretchesandjabberers.org]
 * How at least one experience, assignment, etc of term I has impacted your personal and/or professional life in some way.**

It was suggested to me (and all teachers in New Berlin) to view the movie "Wretches and Jabberers" when it aired at The Ridge Marcus Cinema in New Berlin. My school district even offered to foot the bill. If it were up to me to go to this movie by myself I don't think I would have taken the time away from my family to see it. But, when my cohort group decided to join me I was excited to see the movie and receive credit for a summer class meeting. Little did I know the impact this movie would have on me! I have not had a lot of experience with many students with disabilities. Glen Park has few students with disabilities/disorders since it is so small so I have minimal knowledge of autism. It was amazing and life changing to me to find out the abilities autistic people can have if they are given the chance. I always had compassion for those with autism but to find out how TRAPPED many of the must feel inside their own bodies is heart breaking! It makes me want to advocate more for the students that I have with autism to make sure they are getting the attention that they need. I think it has created a larger awareness to me as an educator to adapt my teaching style to encompass all students with disabilities/disorders in my classes as well as in my personal life.

My goals for term II are to continue learning about myself and my teaching. I plan to continue with my action research proposal with Matt and I want to grow as an educator. I am going to learn from all aspects of the work in class as well as my experiences in my classroom.
 * The new goals you have for yourself in term II.**