Professional Development This year, I have had multiple opportunities for professional development. In addition to my coursework at National-Louis University in Special Education, Literacy, and Educational Policy, I have attended multiple professional development programs given by AUSL, Chicago Academy High School, and Collins Academy High School. During the year I participated in a series of professional development seminars on Literacy. In these seminars we used the work of Kyleen Beers and other literacy professionals to learn skills and strategies to enhance literacy instruction in our classrooms. I learned many strategies that I have implemented in my classroom already and some that I am looking forward to trying out in the future. As a teacher of English and Literacy, I found these sessions particularly useful and saw considerable improvements in my students’ literacy abilities as I implemented various strategies throughout the year. In the next four year, I am seeking to continue to improve my classroom management skills and strategies to engage students in literacy practices, especially how to become readers and writers. I feel that the professional training in Doug Lemov’s Signature Strategies, which we have received as residents in AUSL, has really given me to tools to successfully manage my classroom and engage my students. I would like to continue to seek opportunities to grow and improve in both of those areas, especially as I move into teaching in a new school and new grade level. I have learned this year that the most important step one can take to becoming an effective teacher is to be a flexible and reflective practitioner. As I learned from my experience changing schools mid-year, the skills that I might feel I am very strong in currently, in regard to classroom management, might change when I am put in a new context. It was important for me to be flexible and work with the new situation to find my footing in my new classroom. It will be important for me next year as I enter a new turnaround classroom to continue with the same spirit and understanding and continue my reflective practices to really see my strengths and weakness to best support my students.
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Personal Organization Being a very organized individual has served me very well in this residency year. Every week, I have found it very helpful to make a “To Do” list of everything I need to complete, with a time frame to complete it within. I keep this list out in my workspace all week, and constantly check back with what I need to complete. When juggling so many different projects, between teaching and being a student, it was very important for me to keep track of everything that I had on my plate, and feel the satisfaction of successfully completing each task. .jpg.opt405x270o0,0s405x270.jpg) Some of my closest friends and I sharing a delicious, relaxing meal together. |
The Work/Life Balance
I have always believed in the power of the work/life balance. This year, I have found that to be especially important. When engaging in such rigorous academic work and demanding, emotional professional work, it was very important for me to find support in my cohort and coworkers. My AUSL resident cohort and I worked together for the entirety of the last year, and I have found them to be incredibly supportive. These are individuals who I could call at all hours of the day to ask questions about school or work, or just to vent about the day’s events, and I knew that they would always understand. I also found great relief in taking time away from school and work to be with my fiancé, my friends, and my family. I tried to carve out a little time each week, even if it was just one dinner, to eat a beautiful meal and catch up on each other’s lives. Finally, this year I have been in the process of planning my wedding. For most brides, wedding planning is a stressful and exhausting process. But for me, it has been invigorating and rejuvenating. I have been able to use wedding planning as a time to step back from the academic and professional experience that I have been having with the AUSL residency. Thanks to the support of my fiancé and my family, it has been a way to take breaks rather than an added pressure. Taking some personal time to plan my wedding provided me with the chance to totally step out of my role as a teacher and student and do something very important and personal. When I was done thinking about flowers, or shoes, or cake decorations, I was refreshed and ready to go back to work. I am thankful for having these two incredible experiences at the same time. |
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