Proverbs 31:25

Personal Philosophy of Education

• I believe that each child is a unique individual who needs a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere in which to grow and mature emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially.

•  It is my desire as a educator to help students meet their fullest potential in these areas by providing an environment that is safe, supports risk-taking, and invites a sharing of ideas. 

• There are three elements that I believe are conducive to establishing such an environment: (1) the teacher acting as a guide, (2) allowing the child's natural curiosity to direct his/her learning, and (3) promoting respect for all things and all people.

• When students have ownership in the curriculum, they are motivated to work hard and master the skills necessary to reach their goals. 

• Helping students to develop a deep love and respect for themselves, others, and their environment occurs through an open sharing of ideas and a judicious approach to discipline. 

•  I feel there is a need for compassionate, strong, and dedicated individuals who are excited about working with children. 

•  In our competitive society it is important for students to not only receive a solid education, but to work with someone who is aware of and sensitive to their individual needs.

Diversity Awareness

• Use resources that present different perspectives, authentic voices and adequate contextual knowledge.
• Include aspects of culture that are beyond the visible – values, attitudes and beliefs.
• Reflect critically on your own attitudes, beliefs and values and learn to build bridges from one culture to another.
• Develop sensitive and effective communication skills: use inclusive language and foster negotiation skills to achieve fair outcomes when there are diverse points of view.
• Foster engagement with people from diverse backgrounds

Standard 2: Learning Differences. The Candidate uses understanding of individual differences and diverse communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that allow each learner to reach his/her full potential.

Artifacts

1. Exceptionality Chart: I learned the characteristics, educational settings and effective education models that will assist me in teaching and differentiating instruction for students with learning differences
 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F8SUiI4E5azxmAMgVEFK8zCtZJlRRwFt8WV3Ut0hs-U/edit

2.Memory Profile of Children with Nonverbal Learning Disability: This study compared the verbal and visual memory in children with Nonverbal Learning Disabilities (NLD). The study aimed to identify the strengths and weaknesses in visual memory and verbal memory. 
 https://docs.google.com/document /d/1Y9_O6T5EEpGwqINtdEhLSICtvUWp6ZuzGAkqkOoc4Kc/edit

 

3.10 Scenarios: This assignment taught me to observe and assist different students in an array of situations to best serve their educational needs.
 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q6fSD9ANQUOhS8yQUuBLY2ZxPwLeJ5PV0kl_MrGEbxo/edit

Standard 10: Leadership and Collaboration. The Candidate seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance in the profession

Artifacts

1.Language Immersion Bilingual Education Program Research Project: I enjoyed implementing the research for this project because I was able to dig deeper into how the brain of a bilingual person works. I was able to reinforce that the first language is of vital importance in learning a second language. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H1Z4psmVeQeqw81_1ey2BQwzurYBz02JA05HQHVUXGI/edit

2. Principal Interview: This was a fun assignment because my principal was my mentor when I began teaching. We discussed the legal aspects that he faces being the school head principal.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_Rylc5ud_bWUeQgHqdbfZ50VTW36YUoKF5i11fUDzAo/edit

3. Diagnostic Report: I mentored and tutored a student of mine. When she first came to my classroom she could not read, write, recognize numbers or one to one correspondence. During our tutoring time she raised her grades to on level ( lower first grade). She is still low however she continues to show improvement. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gE32DiAQaWknu76ltF4cUovmmV0K1-wUaS3J6pqb72c/edit

Standard 6: Assessment. The Candidate understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to document learner progress, and to inform the teacher’s ongoing planning and instruction.

Artifacts

1.Assessment Chart Summary: I was able to research and explore different forms of assessments such as the type of assessments, usage, pros and cons for each assessment and who is able to administer the assessments.

 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X0WaoIUxqzlqXW2mggIQgY2YA5e_6uh5WwqkisGo5bI/ed

2.Brochure: My focus was on intellectual disabilities, I wanted to give a glimpse into the educational factors and abilities that someone with intellectual disabilities could achieve. 

3.Case Study: This research project allowed me to study a student with specific learning disabilities. I was able to observe different types of testing including Woodcock-Munoz, Woodcock-Johnson 3, Gray Oral Reading Test and Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing

 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Zr8kajiXPeMuoFpohWKDl5wO_V-_6VRT1_dz62E3N_Y/edit

Evidence of Service Learning

Service in Community:

• Assisted as a translator in Annual Review and Dismissal meetings
• Assisted my mentor in organizing document folders for Annual Review and Dismissal meetings
• Tutored and mentored students before and after school

Technology

The Technology that I have used thus far has been:

• Exceeds ( Dallas ISD): used for filing Annual Reviews and Dismissals, Full Individual Evaluations and Individual Evaluation Plans
• School Net ( Dallas ISD): used for collecting grades and teacher documentation on students
• Blogger: used for this presentation to defend my degree

Goals for the Future

. To become a diagnostician

2. To work with teen moms

3. To earn my Doctorate Degree

Closing

 

I have truly enjoyed my time learning and growing with Dallas Baptist University, I have would like to extend my gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Sanders for always taking the time to listen to me, to pray with me and for me, for guiding me and at times holding my hand and walking me through this process of earning my Masters Degree. I would also like to thank Dr. Brown for guiding me and believing in me when I started losing faith in myself, for her patience and grace when I needed it the most. Mrs. Sanford, was my role model at Duncanville Independent School District; it was because of her that I wanted to become a diagnostician. She always conducted her Annual Review and Dismissals (ARDs) with the child's best interest first, with professionalism, thoughtfulness and care for the parents she was connecting with. 

I would also like to thank my family, children Michael and Madison and my husband Jason, I wanted to be a role model for my children so I went from being a high school drop out to a teacher with a bachelors degree and now almost a Masters Degree because of them. I wanted my kids to see that the obstacles that get in the way are really just stepping stones to get us to the next level in our lives. My husband has been my rock, when I wanted to give up he believed in me. He has supported me and loved me even was tired, grumpy and unlovable.

Saving the best for last. My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, without the hand of God guiding me I would not have come this far in life. 

  know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, t here will be a future, and our hope will not be cut off. (Proverbs 24:14)