Firstly, here is a link to my Individual Development Plan (IDP) where I touch on these areas as well.

More importantly, I would like to say that the 2022-2023 year that I spent student teaching at High Tech High Mesa, under the guidance of Ryan Urie and Elyce Jenkins, was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. The connections I made with students and the learning that happened both inside and outside of the classroom will live on in my practice for the rest of my life. Had I only taken over a classroom for California's usual required time, I would be coming into teaching my own class without several nuances that I was able to experience in the 180 days I spent in the classroom. 

That said, there were challenges. As with any path in life. Learning a new teaching style after having spent 20+ years of my life being taught traditionally felt like a baptism by fire. And even though I handled the task with grace and humility, I had and still have a lot to learn about the profession.

AREAS OF STRENGTH

#1 - RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS 

The ability I have to communicate and actively listen to students has helped me in my teaching practice more than anything else. I am a sociable person by nature, and I keep my finger on the pulse of what is "cool" in pop culture. These attributes have made connecting with students easier for me.

 

#2 - ADAPTABILITY

Though I had taught high school as a substitute teacher before walking into this classroom, I did not know what I was getting myself into. My ability, however, to plan and teach lessons under extreme time constraints was a testament to my adaptability. I also adapted from traditional teaching into project-based learning in record time seeing as I had no formal training.

Areas of Growth

#1 - DEEPER CONNECTION BETWEEN LESSONS AND LIFE

Though my teaching philosophy speaks of students engaging with the real world, I found myself at odds with connecting the world's truths with the inner and outer turmoil of the students' lives. I believe that I need to work on either narrowing the focus of criticality in my lessons and/or incorporating student involvement in the natural trajectory of the lessons' development. (i.e. surveying the students prior to implementing what the lesson is about or how the lesson evolves.)

 

#2 - TEACHING TO EVERY STUDENT

While I am eternally grateful that I had the opportunity to teach at the university level (you can see my Rate My Professor reviews: HERE), it did not prepare me for teaching high school as well as I thought it would. At the college level, the students are paying and/or are going to school because they desire what comes with their attendance. Whether it be the respect of their family or better job prospects or giving purpose to their life or any other countless reason. In high school. the students are required to attend because it is LAW. So, I was not and feel I am still not prepared to teach students who do not want to be in school or have learning difficulties or are gifted. I tried my best during the year to meet the population of my class in the middle. However, I still failed to meet those on the extreme ends of learning.