Reflection On Learning

Running head: REFLECTION ON LEARNING
Reflection on Learning
Aaron Youmans
Shippensburg University
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for CNS 589

Dr. Matthew Shupp
May 4, 2016
REFLECTION ON LEARNING
2
Reflection on Learning
Developing my portfolio over the past two years has been an extensive process. The
development of this portfolio has provided me with a great deal of insight into my preparation
for the field and areas of growth. I have grown immensely in my understanding of this field and
my practice. Below are some of my reflections concerning my growth.
The professional development and work experience portion of the portfolio has been the
most interesting to develop and reflect on as an emerging student affairs educator. The NASPA/
ACPA Professional Competencies provide a good framework for understanding my strengths
and obstacles as an educator. I have grown immensely in many areas. My experience
supervising RAs and advising hall council members has served me well in the area of Advising
and Support. I have a clear vision for my supervision style: transactional with a foundation in
servant leadership. I have also created important documents and practices for developing young
leaders such as weekly progress reports, personal and professional development plans, and
person-centered practices in my 1-on-1s.
I have also grown in the area of Organization and Human Resources. I have served on a
number of search committees and been responsible for the supervision of 13 staff members this
year. I have examined the benefits and application of inclusive hiring practices and developed
strict criteria for assessing candidates. I have also grown in the area of Personal and Ethical
Foundations. I have written my second philosophy statement, read all of our professions
foundational documents, and reflected on the three ethical codes provided by our three
professional development organizations.
In some areas of the Professional Competencies, I have only moderately grown. In the
area of Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, I have learned important foundations and
techniques for conducting research and assessment, but have rarely implemented them in
practice. An overall disregard for empirical assessment, beyond satisfaction surveys, appears to
be prevalent throughout the field. It is very disheartening to ask about assessment measures and
hear veteran educators discuss satisfaction surveys and non-experimental research (i.e. nonrandom groups, no pre-testing, and evaluate using only descriptive statistics).
Another area of moderate growth has been Social Justice and Inclusion. While I have
dedicated myself to learning about multiculturalism and social justice, I have not fully dedicated
myself to confronting systematic discrimination and advocating for students of color. Having
clearer goals about how I am committing myself to the task of facilitating social justice is
needed.
Finally, there are areas within the competencies that I have not explored deeply.
Technology is a new addition to the Professional Competencies and one that I have little
experience or interest in learning. While I genuinely believe that technology has many practical
applications at the academy and student affairs, I do not hold a natural curiosity for technology.
Seeking technical computing courses and collateral assignments which utilize software will be
important for my growth in this area. Another area that I have failed to explore beyond my
academic course is Law, Policy, and Governance. This area is become extremely vital as we
move into an age of increase liability (e.g. minors, FERPA, Title IX). I think I need to recommit
myself to reading about case law and articles concerning the law and our profession.
I believe another area that I need to take more time and explore is my goals. Currently,
none of my goals include any career advancement. While I know I need to develop career
advancement goals, Im scared to develop a goal that may be unattainable. I have heard many
student affairs educators comment that the jump from entry level to middle management is the
most difficult in student affairs. I think having confidence in myself that I can attain another
position in higher education and forgiving myself if I dont achieve that goal would be beneficial
for my future growth.
The area that I am most proud is my Philosophy Statements. As I discussed in the
philosophy statements and throughout this reflection, I have been incredibly disappointed and
concerned with the lack of theory, best practices, and assessment in the field. For a field so
concerned with providing excellent opportunities for our students, too many of us neglect to ask,
Why we are implementing this program? and Is it working? I cannot find fulfillment in a
position if I dont know whether my efforts are promoting growth. Why attain a Masters degree
to only revert back to old practices and outdated techniques? I hope to continue to push for
better assessments and research-based practices in my next position and beyond.
I am also incredibly proud of my resume and what I was able to accomplish with students
here at Shippensburg. Im proud of my work in the CCEC; working with students on cover
letters, resumes, and interview prep. Im proud of my work in the Writing Studio; helping
students with various assignments and research papers. Finally, Im proud of what I
accomplished in Residence Life; supervising dozens of RAs and DAs over my three years has
been deeply fulfilling.
How have I documented that students have learned from me? This is a difficult question
to answer as I do have some feedback, but Im not sure how much of the feedback goes to the
heart of student learning. I have evaluations from Resident Assistants and supervisor in
Residence Life concerning my availability, professionalism, administrative skills, and leadership.
I have survey data from the Writing Studio saying that students would return to the studio and
that I was able to assist them with their papers. Did students learn? I think students have learned
from me, but I also think it is obvious that more needs to be done to understand if and how
students are learning. We need more tracking of students, more assessments, and more
reflection.
As I reflect on my entire time in the Counseling & College Student Personnel program, I
think have grown in a number of areas, but the most growth has come from how I interact with
others. Before coming to the program, I primarily listened without comment or only voiced my
opinions without listening when working with students. Now I have the theoretical framework
to challenge student, reflect with them, and foster their growth. I have gone from someone on
the sidelines, looking at the academy as a place where development naturally occurs to a place
where faculty and staff have a unique opportunity to get in students way and foster true learning
and development. It is these skills and mindset that have helped me most in my development as
an educator.

Reflection On Learning

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Reflection On Learning

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Reflection On Learning

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Running head: REFLECTION ON LEARNING

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for CNS 589

You might also like