Professional Goal #1

Goal #1 How can I develop meaningful relationships within my practicum

school with other teachers to help build connections among teachers,
students, admin, and parents?
I want to develop relationships with other teachers in my practicum
school to help create connections that can aid my learning. These
relationships will not only help me become more open and confident
to others but be useful for advice, resources, and support throughout
my practicum.
Related TQS 1(a)(b), 2(a)
Strategies At each opportunity, and appropriate time, I will introduce myself to
staff members I have not yet met and acknowledge ones I have to
begin to develop connections with others. If available, I will
volunteer to take part in school activities and co-curriculars to meet
and get to know other staff and students. I will also ask to observe
other classrooms, and varying grades to gain connections throughout
the school and watch different teaching methods and strategies.
Resources Teacher Associate
Teachers in practicum school
University Consultant
https://www.teachthought.com
https://www.edutopia.org
Purpose of Goal By meeting this goal, I will be able to gather a variety of different
resources, advice, and support from various members of the school
community. This goal will help me to create valuable connections
which I can learn and benefit from throughout my entire career.
Indicators of Success Having the opportunity to observe other classrooms, being greeted by
staff by name, being given the chance to speak with other staff about
career advice, students from outside my classroom demonstrate that
they know my name.
I will keep a calendar to track my success by noting the times I have
interactions with other teachers that state what the interaction
involved and who it was with.
Timeline November 16 – December 17 2020
 

Date Interaction
 Nov. 16 2020 At playground time, Mrs. Sutherland (Kindergarten teacher) and I discussed
  previous teaching experiences and advice for this practicum in relation to
  teaching styles and preparation for Covid. We also discussed personal interests
  like different hair that works and doesn’t for teaching with masks.

Nov. 18 2020 At playground time, Mrs. Sutherland said Mrs. Oster (K teacher) asked for our
  Starbucks order. She bought some teachers, including myself, Starbucks. This
  led to a “we have ____ in common” conversation with my TA and Mrs.
  Sutherland.

Nov. 27 2020 Sat in with a meeting between my TA, the Vice Principal and a Education
  Assistant to discuss student support in the classroom. This was a great learning
experience as I had the chance to observe how teachers and admin work to
provide support for students in the classroom and how they discuss what is
important for each student based on how they perform and interact in class. 

Nov. 30 2020 A kindergarten teacher helped me figure out the photocopier as I did not know
how to scan legal size paper and print two-sided. This was a helpful
interaction as the teacher was more than willing to take time and help me and
it saved me from being wasteful of the school's supplies. 

Dec. 1 2020 A fellow teacher whose son is in the education program at the University of
  Lethbridge came to my class at lunch to do a quick check-in for how my
  practicum was going. We discussed how the program plans out our practicum
  and how being in a class during a pandemic works. This interaction created a
  connection between the teacher and myself as well as a connection between
  myself and a fellow student teacher.

Dec. 3 2020 While outside with the students I interacted with an education assistant. We
discussed the transition from high school to university as her son is going
through that transition. We also noted that SVS and uleth are both so thankful
to be working together and that I am so grateful for the opportunity to be
teaching at SVS. 

Dec. 11 2020 I had the chance to observe the other kindergarten class for half an hour today
and the teacher gave me her contact information as she is one of the few
teachers in Alberta who is certified to teach letter sounds correctly. She
introduced me to the ‘lively letters’ that students are taught and offered to send
me more resources and connections through social media.

Dec. 11 2020 I had the opportunity to join a grade one class for over an hour today and
observed how the daily five was incorporated into the student’s daily routine.
Once students were on a break the teacher answered my questions in regard to
her teaching methods and strategies. She also offered to have me observe her
class again and that if I had any questions, I could contact her.