Professional Growth, Reflection, and Evaluation
Portfolio Exemplar Cover Sheet
Teacher Candidate: Alexa Donovan Cohort: 402
Title of Exemplar: Parent Letter
Portfolio Category: _______I ________II _______III _______IV X V
ACEI Standard: A5.2 Collaboration with families, colleagues, and community agencies
ACEI Standard Elements: Candidates know the importance of establishing and maintaining a positive collaborative relationship with families, school colleagues, and agencies in the larger community to promote the intellectual, social, emotional, physical growth and well-being of children.
Semester: 1 Date: 12/8/11
1. By sending out both and introductory letter an end of semester thank you letter I established a positive and open relationship with parents and families of MPI students. I also demonstrated the willingness and excitement to join the MPI community by showing the teachers and principle I was willing to put in the effort to introduce my self to the faculty by letter entries posted in the class blog.
2. I realized the importance of making connection with both the students’ families and the faculty of Mid Pacific Institute. This introduction encouraged me to maintain positives relationships always and to keep my moral up while at MPI, which lead to keeping a humble disposition and easy to work with demeanor.
Teacher Candidate: Alexa Donovan Cohort: 402
Title of Exemplar: Parent Letter
Portfolio Category: _______I ________II _______III _______IV X V
ACEI Standard: A5.2 Collaboration with families, colleagues, and community agencies
ACEI Standard Elements: Candidates know the importance of establishing and maintaining a positive collaborative relationship with families, school colleagues, and agencies in the larger community to promote the intellectual, social, emotional, physical growth and well-being of children.
Semester: 1 Date: 12/8/11
1. By sending out both and introductory letter an end of semester thank you letter I established a positive and open relationship with parents and families of MPI students. I also demonstrated the willingness and excitement to join the MPI community by showing the teachers and principle I was willing to put in the effort to introduce my self to the faculty by letter entries posted in the class blog.
2. I realized the importance of making connection with both the students’ families and the faculty of Mid Pacific Institute. This introduction encouraged me to maintain positives relationships always and to keep my moral up while at MPI, which lead to keeping a humble disposition and easy to work with demeanor.
Letter to Parents
Dear MPI parents,
Over the past four months, I have had the opportunity to spend two days a week in your child’s classroom. I feel lucky to have made a special connection with each of your students. Each unique personality contributes to a positive classroom atmosphere where learning is both fun and exciting. During my time in Ms. Fields class, I was given the chance to teach three College of Education approved lesson plans to your students.
The first lesson plan was an art project inspired by nature. I presented an artist who uses elements found in nature to create original works of art. The students then created their own masterpieces using leaves, twigs, flowers, and glitter! I was excited to see their creative juices flowing. Each nature collage was unique and reflected the child’s personality.
For our next lesson, we wrote about a “Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” inspired by the mentor text Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst. The focus of the lesson was using beginning, middle, and end, while incorporating details. After reading the book together, the students created their own version of a terrible, no good, very, bad day.
For our last lesson together, we conducted two experiments while placing an emphasis on the Scientific Method. The students enjoyed hands-on learning! After the experiments, the class wrote reflections about what they learned and what they still wonder, leaving them excited for the science unit in the upcoming semester!
Over the past four months, I have had the opportunity to spend two days a week in your child’s classroom. I feel lucky to have made a special connection with each of your students. Each unique personality contributes to a positive classroom atmosphere where learning is both fun and exciting. During my time in Ms. Fields class, I was given the chance to teach three College of Education approved lesson plans to your students.
The first lesson plan was an art project inspired by nature. I presented an artist who uses elements found in nature to create original works of art. The students then created their own masterpieces using leaves, twigs, flowers, and glitter! I was excited to see their creative juices flowing. Each nature collage was unique and reflected the child’s personality.
For our next lesson, we wrote about a “Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” inspired by the mentor text Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst. The focus of the lesson was using beginning, middle, and end, while incorporating details. After reading the book together, the students created their own version of a terrible, no good, very, bad day.
For our last lesson together, we conducted two experiments while placing an emphasis on the Scientific Method. The students enjoyed hands-on learning! After the experiments, the class wrote reflections about what they learned and what they still wonder, leaving them excited for the science unit in the upcoming semester!