Week of Reflection: 09/16/16

This week was a tough week so I have to give it a 2. This week I taught my first mini lesson to my 2nd period class, which is the freshmen band. I felt like some of them responded well to me and others didn't even blink an eye. After teaching this lesson, (I still need to finish watching the video for this lesson) but I am getting a better feel for this class and I know some things that I want to focus on for the next time I am in front of them. This week has been hard on really everyone in the band, and my CT. It seems like nothing is going right. We have had 3 band members get suspensions with school and my CT's car got broken into and his laptop was stolen. All of this has really taken a tole on everyone and you can see that in class and rehearsals. So I am hoping going into next week we can get back on track because our first competition of the season is next Saturday for the Enka Marching competition. So to be completely honest I feel like most of my time this week was spent going to meetings. I had a full day Monday,Tuesday, and Wednesday it went: School, Practice, and then a meeting/sports duty. I get why we need to go to these things because we need to see what it is like being a band director, however; one added element we have that our CT's don't is our portfolio and class assignments. Maybe I am complaining right now, but I feel like I haven't had time to work on any assignments this week because I have been doing ll this extra stuff. Something has got to give with this? Do we have to go to EVERYTHING? This has just made my week frustrating for me. This weeks apprehension has definitely been in making comments on the music. Early in the week I was helping and trying t make comments and suggestions but none of the students listened to me, so I had a moment of "why am I even here then???" So because of these actions from the students I just stopped giving comments and just sat on the side. I later talked to my CT about my frustrations and he basically told me if no one listened to me again we all would just have a pow-wow with the particular students. Next week I definitely want to go into it without all the baggage of this tough week. Some data I looked at from the freshmen band is going to help me with their future lessons. Small things such as, one clarinet player is extremely shy, so discussion based is hard for her. I need to make sure I incorporate a chance for her to write down rather than speak our to the class. Fellow student teachers, I want you you all to know that you know a lot more than you think. You will surprise yourself with what you do know. We have been trained well at GWU.

NCTS

1e) I had the misfortune to be in the "teachers lounge" when I overheard a group of teachers complaining about the administration. I was shocked to hear them talking about this at school. I didn't want to be a part of this, so I went to a different place to eat my lunch. I feel like me making the decision to leave was demonstrating high ethical standards. 

2) I still have not gotten 504/IEP information; however my CT and I have discussed a student in our class who was adopted from the Ukraine. He said she was extremely shy and had a hard time talking to others and making friends. Having this information I am going to make every effort going forward to treat her as an individual and make her feel welcome.

3d) I had a student ask me why we stand at attention for the national anthem, and that was one thing that helped spark me to do the lesson on the Star Spangled Banner that I did this week. So I felt like I was really making this relevant to the students. 

4d) I had a lot of fun this week researching technology tools to implement in the classroom. I finished up the technology evidences part of my portfolio. 

5b) Not sure if this counts, but us student teachers started a group chat and I am loving it. 

This week has been tough so I haven't gotten much done. My CT and I are doing pretty well right now just trying to move forward from this past week. It was good seeing you this past week Dr. Soja at Stuart Cramer, I hoped you liked the school! 

Week of Reflection 09/09/16

Overall Experience for the week was 4. This week I got to be in front of the band for a warm up. I felt like I did a really good job getting in front of the kids. It is so important to get in front of the kids now because when I start teaching even more they will be more comfortable with me. After seminar on Wednesday my CT and I started talking some more about the EdTPA and we both got a lot more comfortable with it. Next week I am going to continue working on the EDTPA as well as teaching my first lesson to my 2nd period class on Monday. From my last blog to now, I have gained a lot more confidence in front of the kids. I have done band warm-ups and have stepped in by making more comments. I also have been doing playing exams for the kids. I am really enjoying this because it allows me some individual time with the kids to get to know them and hear individual playing. Unfortunately this past weekend was labor day weekend, and I didn’t do a single thing. I now see I probably should have done something because this sunday I am going to be cramming a lot into that day. Which sucks because it is my only complete free day. As I mentioned before, this week I had a lot more confidence. However; I still was hesitant about stepping on my CT’s toes. Looking back I see more opportunities where I could have taken a larger role in the classroom, but I just let the drum majors do it or my CT. Going into next week I want the mental clutter of some personal issues gone as well as the EdTPA clutter. I feel a lot more confident about the planning part of EdTPA after the seminar on Wednesday. I am excited to teach my first mini lesson on Monday. After hearing the playing exams from the band, it has already started stirring ideas in my head for ways to help fix little things within rehearsal. I have been taking notecards and making comments for each student so I have them for the future. A piece of advice for fellow student teachers this week, is definitely do not forget to take some you time. It is very easy to be overtaken by all things school. (Especially those of us with high school marching bands).

NCTCS

Standard 1) This week I really felt like I led in the classroom. I was able to warm up the band a couple of times and write out exactly what I wanted to do during the warmup. 

Standard 2) I attended my first booster board meeting this past Wednesday, and I was able to work collaboratively with some of my students parents. This was really cool for me, and they all liked one of my fundraising ideas.

Standard 3) Thursday during freshmen band I was watching my CT work with them on the show music and the saxophones were way out of tune. My CT made the comment, “I don’t know why you guys are so out of tune today.” So I replied back simply asking the students what reeds they were playing on? Turns out one sax was playing on a 3 reed and the other was on a two reed that he had just opened up. So I felt like I really knew my content because I was able to help solve the issue. 

Standard 4) My CT and I have been having a little issue with communicating, just because I wasn’t sure his vision for me. So we sat down and talked some stuff out. It felt good being able to communicate effectively. 

Standard 5) This week I have incorporated KWL charts into a weekly reflection for myself. This is going to be super helpful for reflecting on my practice. 

This week I haven’t worked on my portfolio as much as EdTPA. I took the handbook and read through it several times, highlighting the important pieces to help me gain a better understanding of EdTPA. Now that I have this understanding I am ready to start in on some of those pieces of EdTPA. Lastly, I just want to give a huge THANK YOU to Dr. Soja. You’re so helpful and we couldn’t do this without you! 

Week of Reflection: 09/02/16

My overall week I would have to give it a 4! I'd say it was a good week, getting to know my schedule as well as be in the classroom with the kids was very exciting for me. A very pleasant surprise for me was in my 1st period class, percussion. I was worried about being able to teach them so my CT and I had a discussion about how most of it was rhythm. So Thursday in class while my CT was working with them I actually assisted and felt confident in what I was saying. This week I really had to learn that even though I am the student teacher, my CT does want me to start making comments and assisting more. So that is something I want to aim for next week. Instead of just observing, I want to start helping sections at a time when needed. Also to not be afraid/nervous but have more confidence when speaking to the whole band. I don't have my SMART Goals or PDP created yet for goals. But that is something my CT and I have decided we are going to make ours similar because he has to have the same thing for his job. This week I have felt very productive! I have tried to make myself be pro-active with the student teaching experience. I really have no time to waste because I have stuff every evening dealing with the band, including some Saturdays. My biggest apprehensions thus far in the process would definitely have to be me stepping on my CT's toes. He is very particular with the way things are done. Him and I had a conversation about the fact he has to get used to me being around because he isn't used to having student teacher. So he said he would be conscious of me being here but I also have to step up and take initiative. Going into next week I really want to start hashing out some of the harder assignments in the portfolio. I want to have sort of a timeline for myself for these assignments. I have already started a lot of pieces of the portfolio and finished the things I could do now, such as the website, and leadership/collaboration project. Right now things are going pretty smoothly, I am still just trying to process everything and get used to being at the school like it's a full time job, rather than just classes. Also what would everyone thinking about all of us creating a PLC with a mission, vision, and some goals? I know this really helped me in Ed 316.

NCTCS:
Standard 1: This week I really was not heavily involved in the classroom. However; I felt like all times in front of the class I demonstrate high ethical standards at all time. 

Standard 2: I am beginning to get to know the students on an individual level. So I feel like this will help me in the future to treat them as individuals. 

Standard 3: I typed up a document with all of the NCTCS so I will have them by my desk. This will also help with adding pieces in my binder for these standards. 

Standard 4: This week I signed up to use plickers within my classroom. This will be an awesome technology tool to use within the classroom. 

Standard 5: I feel very accomplished ad excited for the NCMEA conference. This week I signed up to attend this awesome professional development!

THIS IS IT

Wow. I can't believe that this is my last blog post for Ed 316. This is so bittersweet. I have never had a class that has made me this frustrated and happy at the same time. This class has pushed me to become a better educator and I am super grateful for that. it is really sad to be leaving this class because I really feel like this PLC that we have created was a strong one. I love my classmates and i don't want to say goodbye. However; it is time to move on and start my next step: Student Teaching. I just had the orientation meeting today for it and it really is starting to hit that I am almost finished with my time at GWU. We discusses the NCTCS, which funny story I was such a nerd because Dr. Parker asked if we knew what those were and if anyone had them. so I pulled the list I had on a note card out of my backpack hahaha!  All of this to say, I have learned more than I thought I could from Ed 316 and I am really going to miss it.

Recital Week

This week is the busiest week of my spring semester. This week alone I am in 4 concerts alone, plus all of the dress rehearsals for all of them. So my brain is so full of music, assignments, and just trying to get through all of it. I am so grateful that we don't have Ed 316 tomorrow. Not because I don't like the class, but because it will give me a little extra time to do homework. So in connecting with the standards, I believe Standard: 1b1 Engages in collaborative and collegial professional learning activities, fits in nicely with what I have been up to lately. All of the concerts really benefit my musicality as well as broadening my musical knowledge. Playing in many ensembles exposes me to all kinds of genres and music eras. Sorry for the short post this week! But I need to go practice for my senior recital. Which is this coming Friday, April 22nd at 8PM in the Dover Theater! If you guys have time you should come out and listen to some awesome music, There will be cake afterwards too!

finish line

      We are so close to the end of the semester and all I can say is that it is a race to the finish. I can say with confidence that this semester is filled with the most work I have ever had. It has really has pushed me and made me think about my future a lot. It seems like every time I turn a corner another assignment is just waiting on me and I honestly am struggling. There is not enough time in the day to do all of my assignments for school plus 3 ensembles, private lessons, and my senior recital. Something has got to give because I am slowly loosing my mind that is for sure.
      One thing that I really try to focus on with my content area is really broadening my ear to new music. This is because if I am teaching music I want to have as much knowledge on music as possible. Today I listened to some 21st century music because I am working on gaining more knowledge in this are of music. It is not my favorite era at all but I need to listen to it for the benefit of my students. This aligns with standard 3: Teachers know the content they teach. I hope to integrate more 21st century music into my everyday listening to prepare myself in the classroom.

Blog #212553445

I hope everyone who is on the DC is having a very fun time! I am on campus slaving away at homework and preparing for my senior recital. Today is actually my hearing, which means I play for some music professors to make sure I am prepared enough to present my senior recital. It is overwhelming focusing on that as well as my other homework because I want my recital to go as perfect as it can. This recording I get on my recital will more than likely be used to send in for grad school auditions and that is super important. While practicing for dayssss I have also been working diligently on the BPH. This feels like the longest assignment I have ever been given. It feels like when I get one strategy written another 12 pop up haha. But little by little I will get it all done. It is hard having only a three person group but I am so grateful for Amanda and Dalton. It has been a blast getting to know them and spend time bettering ourselves as educators together. Even though standard 4g. Teachers communicate effectively is under standard 4. teachers facilitate learning for their students. I definitely connect that standard to Dalton, Amanda, and I for working on this BPH. We have a group text chat and have met multiple times to make sure we are on the same track. With all this being said, I need to go practice. Here goes nothing!