Week Twelve Reflection

I PASSED EDTPA HIGHLY QUALIFIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On a scale of 1-5, I rate this week a 10 because I passed EdTPA!!! I do not think I have ever felt this joyful and relaxed regarding my academics in a really long time!!!

The biggest accomplishment I had was passing EdTPA! What surprised me the most was that I passed highly qualified! I never thought I would be good enough to pass as highly qualified! All I wanted to do was pass- didn't matter how! When I got the phone call, I was overjoyed! When I found out I was highly qualified, I dropped to the floor and tears started flowing! It was one of the best feelings ever!

Reflect: What did my work/experiences teach me that I will build upon next week?

I learned to believe in myself! I have always been my own worst critic. I am harder on myself than anyone could ever be on me. I often times have to remember to be kind to myself. Passing highly qualified gave me a newfound confidence!

My short-term efforts in completing this portfolio are aligned with my long-term goals of being a teacher as I must complete and present this portfolio to pass and graduate.

I could have spent A LOT less time stressing and tearing myself apart this week. Knowing that it was EdTPA score week was hard. I was hard on myself... too hard at times. Thankfully, I have a wonderful support system of people who keep me balanced and remind me that everything will be okay!

Have courage: How did apprehension and indecision impact what I did and did not do?

Due to my nerves about EdTPA, I had a lot less patience. I especially had very little patience on Thursday as I awaited the phone call. I also let the nerves get to me all throughout the week in the previous days. I was on the phone with my mom for a really long time earlier this week. She told me, "Lindsey, honey, it is just a test. You have always done well on tests. You need to believe in yourself.". I wish I would have taken her words more seriously at the time but the stress and nerves were just too much. The celebration after getting my results was amazing! My first-grade team is going out to celebrate whenever we get back from Spring break!

Personally, I analyzed the scores I received for each rubric on EdTPA. I looked back over my EdTPA with a deep eye and connected the scores/comments from my scorer! For my students, I analyzed iReady math data so that I would know what they were working on during math remediation.

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! Beating yourself up and criticizing yourself takes a toll on your body- mentally and physically. Please remember to be kind to yourself 💛

Standard 1: I demonstrated teachers leading the classroom as I led the classroom even though I was really struggling with my nerves this week.
Standard 2: I demonstrated treating students as individuals as I praised students for their individual accomplishments!
Standard 3: I demonstrated aligning my lessons to the NCSCOS as all my lessons had the appropriate standards attached.
Standard 4: I demonstrated planning instruction that was appropriate for my students as we did activities that they were ready to do!
Standard 5: I demonstrated teachers analyzing student learning throughout the week by looking at iReady Math data.

Student Teaching