Quality Standard #4

Teachers demonstrate professionalism through ethical conduct, reflection, and leadership.

Through my student teaching experience I began to figure out who I am as a professional and an art educator. I want students to see me as a professional educator in my field. I believe I modeled ethical conduct and leadership in both of my student teaching placements and creating my portfolio has been a great way to reflect on this semesters experiences. Being a leader for my many young minds can be overwhelming. I reflected a lot about teachers and mentors from my education during this experience. I was inspired by so many people and model things I have learned from teachers in my education. I also began to find my own way and styles of doing things. Being a good role model encourages students to follow in the same path.

• Element a: Teachers demonstrate high standards for professional conduct.

For this element I am sharing my mentor teachers feedback on my lessons. These comments show that I have high standards for all students and demonstrate professional conduct on a daily basis. The comments say “Addresses all questions and comments with respect. Listens patiently when students struggle with saying their questions.” “Sets a high bar and consistently maintains that expectation.” “Inclusive of all students. Calls on all students ( Student Name’s answer to form question.)” Works with para (in with Student Name and Student Name) to provide needed supplies and help” "Treats everyone equally, fairly, and with respect."

• Element b: Teachers link professional growth to their professional goals.

A few times over the semester, I reflected on the teaching dispositions and how my progress relates to my professional goals as a teacher. I looked at things I felt like I was doing a great job at as well as areas where I could continue to build on and refine. While I feel I have accomplished so much during my student teaching, I also believe that there is always room for improvement. I am looking forward to learning more and trying new things after completing my student teaching placement.

• Element c: Teachers respond to a complex, dynamic environment.

Several art classes from Timnath Middle Highschool went on a field trip to the Denver Art Museum and I went as a chaperone. I went around the museum with a group of students and later walked a group to get lunch outside of the museum. Walking through Denver was a completely different environment than being in the school and I had to adapt to something totally new. I think my and my groups favorite part was seeing Monets paintings in the impressionist exhibit. It was such an amazing experience to see how excited the students got to see the original painting that I had showed them in their art history lesson a few weeks before this trip.

• Element d: Teachers demonstrate leadership in the school, the community, and the teaching profession.

I attended the Foothills Creative Endeavors Art Shows opening night to support the students from Olander Elementary who were at the event. For several of the projects in the art show, I was teaching the lesson or in the room assisting. It was such an amazing opportunity to see the start of their project and then later see it completed and in the art show. I wanted the students to see that I care about them as individuals and want to celebrate their accomplishments. I believe showing up to after school evets shows students that teaching is more than just a job and you're there because you truly care. My mentor teacher planned for us to take this group picture as a way to commemorate their hard work and success. This was a great opportunity to meet some of the students parents and introduce myself in person to start building community.