My Education Showcase Portfolio

1. My Education Showcase Portfolio Joe Alfieri EDU 595 jalfieri@oswego.edu

2. Table of Contents • About Me • Standard 1 – Content Pedagogy • Standard 2 – Student Development • Standard 3 – Diverse Learners • Standard 4 – Multiple Instructional Strategies • Standard 5 – Motivation and Management • Standard 6 – Communication and Technology • Standard 7 – Planning • Standard 8 – Assessment • Standard 9 – Reflective Practice – Professional Growth • Standard 10 – School and Community Involvement • Conclusion

3. About Me • Thank you for visiting my portfolio. I am a 25 year old graduate student at Oswego State University studying adolescent education. I graduated from SUNY Cortland in 2005 with a degree in Business Economics and a minor in Computer Applications and worked in sales for 2 years before deciding that teaching was for me. I am the oldest of 3 children and in my free time I enjoy golf, hockey, and spending time with friends and family. You can read more about me by clicking HERE

4. Standard 1 – Content Pedagogy • The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline he or she teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for students. • My Reflection • Artifacts • Research paper from Comparative Fascism class showing my writing and research skills and my ability to recognize themes in history • Comparative Fascism Paper

5. Content Pedagogy Reflection For a teacher to be successful, especially middle and high school teachers, they must know their content area very well. In order to come to school everyday ready to teach the same subject, a teacher must have a passion for the subject that will make them want to continue to learn and develop their knowledge even more. Once the teacher has a deepened understanding of their subject area content, they can begin to develop new and different ways to teach and assess their students. In order to teach social studies, I believe it is important that future educators understand the different ways in which people interact today and be able to make connections between past and present that the students can relate to.

6. Standard 2 – Student Development • The teacher understands how children learn and develop and can provide learning opportunities that support a child’s intellectual, social, and personal development • Reflection • Artifacts • A literacy case study showing how I found a way to help a student understand a DBQ about the American Revolution • Literacy Case Study

7. Student Development Reflection Every child is different. They learn differently, they grow and develop differently, and it is important that teachers realize that they need to be taught differently. Teachers must understand how all kinds of children learn and interact in their classroom. My teaching philosophy is not a strict traditionalist view, so I will need to learn about my students before I teach them. I want to know their interests, both academically and socially, and I want to learn and understand how they are best able to take in new information and concepts. I will do my best to deliver the content in a way that connects with as many students as possible. There will be circumstances in which I will need to adjust my methods to fit the needs of the student, no matter what the needs may be.  My experience coaching and substitute teaching has shown me that some children need to hear things or be taught things in a slightly different way. I truly enjoy trying to figure out how to reach those kinds of children, as it is extremely rewarding when you are finally able to figure it out.

8. Standard 3 – Diverse Learners • The teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners. • Reflection • Artifacts • Lesson plan designed for 7th grade social studies students that accommodates many different learning styles • Lesson Plan

9. Diverse Learners Reflection Students will come into my classroom and each will have a different history of their own that made them the person that I am meeting. It is important for all teachers to understand that these kids did not grow up in a bubble and they have had experiences that have shaped their views of the world and the people in it. These differences can be economic, ethnic, social, or it could just mean that the children learn in their own special way. No matter what the differences in these children are, educators must be aware that their teaching strategies will work differently based on the types of students they might be dealing with on any given day. I believe in giving students guided choices so that they are able to take ownership of their education instead of always being told what to do. History and social studies allows me the flexibility to usually be able to find something that each student is interested in or can develop an interest in. If I can show students that there is a way to connect their thoughts and interests to the curriculum that we are studying, then I will be able to meet the needs of a variety of different learners and learning styles.

10. Standard 4 – Multiple Instructional Strategies • The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage student development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills. • Reflection • Artifacts • I have included a Unit Plan that I developed that displays a wide range of instructional strategies that I intend to use in my classroom. • Universal Design for Learning Unit Plan • In addition to the Unit Plan, this is a link to a website that lists a variety of teaching strategies • Differentiated Instruction Strategies

11. Multiple Instructional Strategies Reflection Children learn in a variety of different ways. Teachers who want to make a connection with every student in their classroom should vary their instructional strategies to accommodate the range of learners they will undoubtedly have in their class. Social studies teachers, in particular are often accused of falling into the trap of giving endless lectures and assuming that the students will do the work to learn the material. My favorite experiences when I was a student came from teachers who found new and exciting ways to challenge my thinking and show me why something was the way it was. Problem solving and critical thinking skills are crucial to child development and are skills that students will need for the rest of their lives, and if teachers can find a way to build these skills in their students while at the same time getting them to understand content, they have been successful. In addition to helping students, differentiated instruction also helps teachers keep information fresh and gets them to think about content in new and different ways. This will allow teachers to think about even more strategies and make connections on a number of different levels, which they can then transfer to their students. My training as a graduate student, as well as my experiences in the classroom and in speaking with practicing teachers have shown me how important it is to vary instruction in the classroom on a regular basis. Different children have different needs and different learning styles. A teacher who is willing to change the way they teach may be introducing a student to something that they did not know about the way they learn or retain information. I have been exposed to a number of instructional strategies that can be used, some of which have worked, and some that have not.

12. Standard 5 – Motivation and Management • The teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation. • Reflection • Artifacts • A reflection on social studies as a valuable subject in schools • Social Studies Justification • Link to NEA website with additional suggestions for effective classroom management • NEA Classroom Management

13. Motivation and Management Reflection Teachers are the ultimate motivators. It takes a special kind of person with a special kind of passion to be able to convince children that they can do things that they do not think they can do. Passion and patience are two things that I hope I will be able to bring to my classroom, because if my students see these qualities that I possess, they will understand that I will expect them all to succeed. If i make it clear that I will not settle for anything else, and that I will do whatever they need me to do to help them succeed, understanding that different students have different definitions of success. Motivation and management go hand in hand, as I will not be able to manage a classroom in which students are not motivated. My classroom will be extremely interactive, with students working together in groups, as a class, and with myself to help them reach their goals. This classroom community will be an environment that is based on respect. Students will have respect for their teachers, their classmates, and themselves. The respect that they have for themselves will lead to them believing they can reach their goals and that they deserve to give their best effort.

14. Standard 6 – Communication and Technology • The teacher uses knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communications techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom. • Reflection • Artifacts • This is a research paper and presentation I made that looks at parent-teacher communication and using technology to make communication easier. • Parent-Teacher Communication Paper • Parent-Teacher Communication Presentation • I have also included a link to a website about the SMART Board technology that is being used in many classrooms today, and specifically how it can be used in a social studies class • SMART Board for Social Studies

15. Communication and Technology Reflection Children today have grown up in a world dominated by computers. They understand more about computers and technology than any generation before them would have ever dreamed to know. It is important that teachers embrace this technology and find a way to use it in their classroom if they want to reach their students and help them to learn and grow. Communication between teacher and student is a vital component of a successful classroom. Teachers need to be clear with their expectations, and when there are problems in the classroom, all of the parties involved need to know about it immediately. In my experience as a substitute teacher, I have found that I can draw on my experience in sales to help students to learn effectively. I have a sense for knowing when somebody needs something before they even realize it. I am clear with my expectations, and if students stray from those expectations, I am quickly aware of it and am working on a solution. Teachers of this generation need to incorporate technology in the classroom. Children are going to be using computers for the rest of their lives, and they need to be comfortable with the machines and devices in the classroom so that they can use them elsewhere for educational purposes. It is also important that students are taught how to use computers specifically to help them academically. It is easy to have students play a word game on the computer, and this can be a useful tool for a specific kind of learner, however it is much more valuable if students learn how to inquire and explore using technology so as to promote lifelong learning. Another current trend in education is the use of class websites in the schools as a way to connect the class through the internet. The websites are used to post information and assignments, and provide ways for the students and their parents to contact the teacher. With most parents growing accustom to using email in their everyday lives, teachers have also found that email is becoming the chosen mode of communication between teachers and parents.

16. Standard 7 - Planning • The teacher plans instruction based on knowledge of subject matter,.students, the community, and curriculum goals. • Reflection • Artifacts • I completely revised an existing 7th grade social studies curriculum, which really showed me how much thought and planning goes into an academic year. • Revised Curriculum

17. Planning Reflection Effective planning is an essential component to a successful classroom. Teachers must put in a great deal of time at the beginning of the year to make sure they have an overall plan for the class, and then during the year they must be well prepared on a daily basis if they expect their students to be successful. There are a number of factors that must go into that planning. The goals of the school, the goals of the curriculum, and the individual goals of the teacher can all go into the planning that takes place prior to the actual teaching. A well-prepared teacher will be better able to meet the needs of their students as they know what they are trying to accomplish every day they walk into the classroom. Last semester, I worked extensively with a 7th grade Social Studies curriculum and I saw exactly what goes into the planning and development of a curriculum. I essentially rebuilt the curriculum and included a number of additions that I thought would be beneficial. It was a fulfilling project in that I was able to see how I could begin to put my own spin on a Social Studies curriculum that is still heavily based on the New York State learning standards.

18. Standard 8 - Assessment • The teacher understands and uses formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social, and physical development of the learner. • Reflection • Artifacts • I have again included the Unit Plan I designed for a unit on the Civil War. It shows a variety of assessment strategies. • Universal Design for Learning Unit Plan • This is a link to a website that outlines a number of formative and summative assessment strategies. • Formative and Summative Assessment

19. Assessment Reflection It is important for students to have goals both in and outside of the classroom. I do not, however, believe that these goals should always be related to the scores they receive on tests or on their report card. My goal for every student is that they will grow and develop a little bit each day, and the activities and assignments that I prepare for them will be geared towards making them more effective learners and towards making each student a self-motivated learner. Formal assessment is and will continue to be an important part of the education system, but I believe in the value of informal assessment to determine how effective my teaching methods are and how quickly students are understanding the concepts that I am presenting to them. Assessment should occur on a daily basis, even if it is simply the teacher saying, “How are you doing with this?” To simply throw information at students and just assume that they “get it” is irresponsible and does not promote an environment that is conducive to authentic learning.

20. Standard 9 – Reflective Practice – Professional Growth • The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of his or her choices and actions on others (students, parents, and other professionals in the learning community) and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally. • Reflection • Artifacts • This is a link to the National Council for the Social Studies, which I will become a member of so that I will always have the opportunity to know what is going on in my field and can seek out information about how to learn and grow professionally. • National Council for the Social Studies

21. Reflective Practice – Professional Growth Reflection Professional growth and development needs to be an ongoing process throughout the entire career of any teacher. There are so many things that change from year to year with the students, the schools, the community, and society that teachers need to understand that they are not teaching in a vacuum and they need to be able to grow and change with the times. In addition to keeping up with the societal changes, teachers should constantly be seeking new teaching methods, new materials, and new information about their subject and content areas. This can include taking additional classes in their content area, or attending workshops on how to teach in their subject area. I am and always have been a bit of a perfectionist. I am constantly evaluating things that I do and looking for ways to improve. Just like I enjoy thinking about different ways to reach different students, I will be continuously evaluating activities and teaching methods that I use to try to find ways to teach more effectively. If teachers become content in their position, there is no sense of urgency to learn and grow. I am not the type of person who gets comfortable or content, so I will spend my entire career trying to learn and grow.

22. Standard 10 – School and Community Involvement • The teacher fosters relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support students’ learning and well-being. • Reflection • Artifacts • I have provided a link to a website dedicated to service learning and ideas on how to involve the community in your school. • Service Learning

23. School and Community Involvement Reflection The school system is a community within a community. The school relies on the community and its members to provide an environment that is conducive to learning. A community that is deeply committed to its schools and students can be a very valuable resource for teachers. Teachers can help to foster this relationship by finding ways in which students can get out and be involved in the community in a positive way. Student involvement in the community can help to do away with any negative stereotypes that may exist concerning the schools or the students. This involvement can lead to added support from private community members as well as increased interest in the schools from businesses and corporations. One way in which the school system can involve itself in and benefit the community is through service learning. Service learning is a teaching method through which students are meaningfully helping the community while gaining valuable content knowledge at the same time. These experiences provide meaningful interaction on both sides, as the teachers are providing students with an opportunity for authentic learning that they can connect to an event, and the community benefits from the efforts of the students. I believe that community involvement is a crucial component in any school system, and it can help students make connections between their lives in the school and the outside world. Teachers need to do anything they can to help connect the school and the community, first of all by being an active member of the community. Teachers who set an example by showing up at school and community functions, participating in activities outside of school hours, and supporting extracurricular activities at the school are showing students how the school and community can be united in support of the students.

24. Conclusion • Thank you for viewing my professional portfolio • For more information feel free to visit my online portfolio: Joe Alfieri’s Weblog