Empty Seats and EdTPA

Well, the flu has officially hit WES and third grade has been hit hard! Because of all of this sickness and the stress that has come with teaching edTPA, I would have to rate this week a 3. It has really been stressful trying to keep everything flowing and on time with kids being absent, and many leaving early. Sick kids has also helped me work on standard 2 and providing a safe, nurturing environment for each of my kids. This week, that has meant taking temperatures, and comforting achey kids. A word of advice to all my fellow student teachers- Lysol will quickly become your best friend! I hope this weekend all of my students can get some rest and come back on Monday feeling much better!

In terms of classroom activity, this week has been pretty average. I do feel that I am really starting to demonstrate more leadership in the school than I have in the past. I am now familiar with all the teachers and administrators and I got the opportunity to step up into a leadership position on Thursday. During my planning period, I got asked to step up and help in the media center with a kindergarten class while the librarian took care of some things. It was a little scary to go from 3rd graders to kindergartners, even if it was just for a few minutes, but I really enjoyed getting to help!

On Friday, I was able to join my team along with the administration in our mid year data dive. This was a day long meeting where we discussed the students' recent test scores and reworked our WIN groups. I have been to one data dive at the beginning of the year but this time, I was able to give my input and really understand what my students needed. This helped me get a better perspective of how to facilitate learning for my students. In a group, we discussed how every single third grader learned best and how we as educators could provide the appropriate levels of development for each student. It has also helped me reflect on my students' learning and analyze how they have been learning. With the changing WIN groups coming up next week, I have really began to study the standard course of study a little more closely because the students that are about to come to me are really struggling in math and I must know and feel confident with what I am teaching. Hopefully, I will be able to ease their confusion and frustration that comes with math.

Because of the craziness that has been edTPA week, I haven't really spent any time working on my portfolio. One of my goals for next week is to spend more time being productive with making progress on my portfolio. Right now, my CE and I do not have any questions going in to next week. We are just both hoping that next week our students are feeling better and we can enjoy our time sharing lots of love during Valentine's Day. I hope everyone can get a restful weekend and good luck to anyone doing edTPA next week!