Section Five

SECTION FIVE
Teacher Candidate Reflection Guidelines

Introduction
This Section is informative of the educational and personal experiences that have brought
me to my current stage in my journey as an educator. The lessons that I have learned, the
principles I have acquired, and the practices that I perform are all indicative of the kind of
educator that I aim to be. My experience at Medaille College have instilled great teaching
methods and strategies that I will carry with me into future classrooms that I will potentially be
teaching. The knowledge acquired is invaluable, and it presents itself as the foundation of my
teaching career. Upon this foundation, I will be able to build all the future lessons and
experiences that I acquire as my journey as an educator continues.
Portfolio Project/Teacher Education Learning Experiences
I am able to attest to the fact that our experiences continually shape the person we
become. Character and principles are built upon situations that enable individuals to learn
something. Learning is the key element in everything. In every aspect of our lives, we will be
learning something or the other. It is a privilege to be a life long learner, and as a future educator,
I count myself fortunate enough to take on the task of being a learner. As a teacher, I will be
serving my students in the best way that I know how, but in order to do so, I have to commit to
being willing and ready to learn, adapt, and overcome in the various situations that I will be
placed in.
My educational background has propelled me to be a teacher that is highly cognizant of
diversity and the importance of being culturally responsive. This is because in all the classrooms
that I grew up in myself, and the ones that I have had the opportunity to volunteer or student
teach in, I have been exposed to a wide variety of ethnicities, and culturally diverse companions.
These experiences have enabled me to be inclusive of the students in the classroom, to ensure
that they are active participants in their learning. This is made possible when they are able to
relate to the concepts and topics that are brought up in class. It is important that students are able
to find the relevance in what they are learning by relating it to their own prior knowledge, their
experiences, and so on (TEAC Claim 2: Pedagogy, Best Teaching Practices for Diverse
Learners).
Equally important, I have learned that being a teacher does not only signify a love of
working with and helping children, it is also necessary to be a cooperative team player. Being an
educator means working closely with other educators, administrative staff, parents, student
teachers, and the like. This reiterates how important it is to be willing to receive input and
constructive criticism, because at the end of the day, we are all working to better the lives of the
students in each of our classrooms.
One of the key courses that I took at Medaille was a Technology course, which really
provided a number of great tools that can be used in the classroom to assist in teaching.
Throughout the course, we are reminded that technology should be used as a tool, rather than to
replace methods of instruction. It is especially helpful in supporting multiple intelligences in the
classroom, and focuses on engaging students as well as preparing them for a generation that is
highly technologically forward. I am looking forward to being an educator that weaves
technology into the classroom as much as possible, without interfering with the learning meant to
occur in the classroom.
Throughout the construction of this portfolio, I have been able to effectively convey why
I want to be a teacher, share my educational philosophy, represent my strong suits using various
artifacts, and overall, it has been a very reflective experience. In developing this portfolio, I have
been able to affirm my passion for teaching, and I am more eager than ever to be in the field, and
begin to make the impact that I hope to make in the classroom (TEAC Claim 3: Caring
Educators). As well, the courses that I have taken at Medaille have provided me foundational
knowledge for me to carry out my teaching. I have had the opportunity to learn various different
teaching methods and practices, as well as a number of lessons that were presented by my
colleagues and our knowledgeable educators. These courses have opened doors to great
discussions, helped in developing practical strategies that can be used in the classroom, and it
provided a plethora of resources that I will be able to continually refer back to when I start my
career as an educator (TEAC Claim 1: Subject Matter).
Reediness to Become a Teacher
Considering all the exposure that I have received with regards to being an educator, I
have realized that being a teacher is a constant revolving door of learning new strategies, new
methods, new tactics, new resources, and so on. I can admit that one can master the art of
teaching, however, I would argue that being an educator requires signing up to a lifetime of
learning. Even as one who has been in the field for years, a successful educator will be required
to keep up with changes, and be willing to adapt as the education system changes.
I strongly believe that an educator ought to be a role model to many, and my goal is to
use all that I have learned, and will continue to learn, to ensure that I am modeling the character,
principles, and actions that I want to see in my students. I have scratched the surface in learning
how to foster a learning environment that promotes inclusivity, culturally responsive teaching,
and assuring students of a safe and comfortable space. I realize that students spend a large
portion of their day at school, so it is important for them to be engaged, to look forward to
working with their peers, and to enhance their learning according to their unique skillsets. This is
highly important to me. I have recognized that one of the most significant aspects of teaching is
recognizing what skills the students possess and formulating tasks and assessments that will
highlight these abilities. Every student has unlocked potential, and I think it is the job of an
educator to bring out childrens potential by positively enhancing their learning (TEAC Claim 2:
Pedagogy, Best Teaching Practices for Diverse Learners).
In terms of classroom management, I see myself as an educator that will allow for
students to have freedom, but to a certain extent. The tasks and activities that I will have my
students do will often be collaborative, and I will encourage them to investigate themselves in
order to promote critical thinking. At the same time, this will be a better opportunity for them to
learn based off of their interests and topics that they relate to. That being said, I understand that
there are specific expectations and guidelines that ought to be followed. My objective is to
accomplish the set expectations, but still leave room for creativity, individuality and higher order
thinking (TEAC Claim 2: Pedagogy, Best Teaching Practices for Diverse Learners).
Conclusion
This Section provides an overview of the key aspects of this portfolio, as well as drawing
upon important lessons that can be taken away from my time at Medaille College. There are
many things that I have been able to learn through my experiences, and others experiences that
will help in making me a more effective teacher. In this section, I reiterate some of the most
significant values and practices that I will bring with me into the classroom. My aim is to provide
my students a safe space where they are acknowledged for their individual capabilities, engaged
in their learning, and pushed towards success. I have also relayed my desire to be an educator
that is constantly learning as well, because I am certain that I will be more of a role model to my
students if I am able to carry out the principles that I promote in the classroom, and being a
learner is a big part of that. Overall, this Section supports the previous sections in that it collects
all the key elements previously presented, and translates into practicality of how it will be
beneficial in a classroom setting.

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SECTION FIVE

Teacher Candidate Reflection Guidelines

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