Submit a one-page statement that provides an overview of your portfolio.

In this overview
summarize YOUR GROWTH throughout your program and student teaching semester to
include professional preparation, teaching competencies, and strategies to manage the
learning environment.

Portfolio Overview Statement

My teaching portfolio is a collection of my professional experiences inside and outside of

the classroom. Within this portfolio you will find multiple examples of academic work,

strategies, preparation, and competencies that will accentuate the important parts of my

development as a special education teacher.

My previous experience working in Livingston Elementary school has given me a

passion for valuing individual student relationships and providing them with support when

needed. I worked in as a special education paraeducator with eight disability students and also

served as a substitute for inclusion classrooms. Every morning, I assist with loading and

unloading students from the buses as well as monitoring lunchroom procedures and activities. As

a paraeducator, I assisted small groups of students, reinforcing instruction as directed by the

teacher and ensuring that lesson plans were work towards meeting the goals included in their

IEP’s. I have observed student performance and record relevant data to assess progress.

While at Old Dominion University, I have worked to gain experience at academic success

and student learning. Throughout student teaching, I was engaged with student needs, lesson

plans, providing feedback, and the materials used. I completed student teaching at Berkely

Elementary school in a self-contained autism room with students K-3 and Post Oak Middle

school in a 6th grade inclusion classroom. During the planning period and after school, I worked

with clinical faculty and school administrators to prepare academic activities and lesson plans.

The preparation for the lesson plans consisted of how to make it adaptable for all students, how
to use technology to deliver a lesson, the materials used to promote engagement, the purpose of

the lessons, and the goals we wanted to reach by the end of the lessons. It was important that I

communicated clearly with clinical faculty but the students as well so they can be successful. As

I taught, the lessons were well planned, organized, and students were engaged. In order to ensure

good classroom management, I started by greeting the students as they entered the classroom. I

set an authoritative voice, established the rules, had a plan, involved myself with the students,

building relationships, and respecting them.

I strongly believe that I bring valuable experience and professional practices into being a

special education teacher.