Self- Assessment Analysis
My goal from the beginning of this year was to explore more opportunities and strategies of engaging all learners in my classroom . I felt that last year I really let down the high achieving students because I was paying too much attention to the struggling students. This year, however, I have made a huge change to my teaching practices. I was fortunate enough to be involved in the district's GATE certification program. This program gave me so many techniques to incorporate deeper and more complex ways of getting through to my students. These prompts are useful for all students and self-differentiate, so that all learners can reach their potential. Now I belive one of my areas of strength is my ability to engage all learners. I feel that I have come a long way in that respect from the beginning of last year or even this year to now. Of course, I still have many areas for potential growth. I would like to be better and more organized with my assessment of student learning. Not only would I like to be more on top of planning my own formative and summative assessments rather than relying on the district's, but I would also like to incorporate a technology aspect into my assessments and have my students complete more self-assessments.
Professional Goal
This year I became certified to teach GATE students and I earned my master's of science in teaching from California Baptist University. Also, my husband and I are expecting a baby this summer, so there is part of me that wants to slow down and relax for awhile. Eventually, however, I would like to become a reading specialist. I believe reading is one of the most powerful skills a person can acquire and I would love to help students who are struggling with this. To achieve this goal I will need to speak with my administrator and look into professional development through the school district, possibly even course credits through a university.
Connected Educator
To be a connected educator, it is imperative that I keep myself infomed of new educational practices and continue collaborating with other teachers and administrators. There are new strategies all the time for the "best" way to teach. It is important to take them seriously, but at the same time, use good judgement. Teachers are always borrowing ideas from each other and helping each other out. I need to open myself up to critique and criticism from my more experienced colleagues if I want to stay connected and better myself as a professional educator.
Passion
As of right now, I feel no sense of diminishing passion, however, it is all too common for teachers to get burnt out. To make sure this doesn't happen to me and that I always am enthusiastic and passionate about my career choice, I need to set up boundaries for myself. I am extremely dedicated to my family life and I treasure the time I get to spend with loved ones. It is important, therefore, that I set limits for myself. One limit or boundary I would like to set and maintain is the rule that I will not take work home. I know to some, this may seem like an impossible task, however, I do not want to be thinking about grading when I should be teaching my kid how to ride a bike, or lesson planning when I should be going on a date with my husband. It is necessary, that I complete all work that I need to do at school so that work stays at work and home is designated only for family activities.
Feedback from my Administrator
"Mrs. Chavando has shown great effort in wanting to become a better educator. She actively seeks advice and is very receptive to suggestions. She has great rapport with her students and staff at Promenade. Mrs. Chavando continues to grow as a teacher and has the potential to becoming exemplary."
-Mr. Gonzales, Promenade Elementary Principal
Advice to Future Teachers
My main piece of advice to future teachers is to not be afraid to ask for help or guidance from experienced teachers. As young professionals starting out, we are so determined to prove ourselves, that we don't want to ask others for help. It is important to remember that even the best of teachers started off knowing very little about how to be a good educator.