Teacher-candidates participate collaboratively and professionally in school activities and using appropriate and respectful verbal and written communication.
Teacher-candidates are able to work with other teachers and staff members in a manner that is respectful and professional. They are able to communicate with others in the school in such a way that reflects well on the abilities of the teacher-candidate to work with others. It is important that teacher-candidates be able to exemplify this because collaboration is a huge part of education. Teachers collaborate with each other, with their class, with other staff and administrative members, and they collaborate with parents. All of this collaboration is to make sure that each child in any class is meeting their full potential and getting all of the help and instruction that they deserve.
Education is not a singular lens to view children through. There are many successful approaches to teaching children and that is part of the reason that collaboration with other grade level teachers is so important. I attended the kindergarten team planning meeting at my internship site this week and was not only able to witness other teachers collaborate and work together to make the learning of their students better, but I was also able to contribute my thoughts and inputs in the discussion. As evidence of my growing competency in this area I have attached notes from the planning meeting that I attended.
Kindergarten Team Meeting Notes
These notes show my developing competency because I am growing in my ability to work as part of a team to develop a plan for the students in my classroom. In a short amount of time I will be the key person in charge of their learning so it is key that I am present in these meetings and also present in the discussions.
At this meeting I learned that I do have insight on how best to work with the students in my class and that I have valuable things to say when it comes to ideas for curriculum, lesson ideas, and problem solving. I also learned that working in a team is beneficial for all parties involved because one of the other members of the team could see things in a different way than I do and that could change the way I see a situation for the better.
My students benefit when I work within a team because they not only get my ideas about the class but they also get input from the other teachers in the team who have a lot of excellent ideas. This means improving the way that I teach so that my students receive the best education I can give them.
In the future I plan to continue to participate in these meetings and I am sure that as I continue to grow in confidence as a teacher I will become a more active member, contributing ideas and offering support.
Ms. Jena Machin 