Bryan Simmons Benedict College Electronic Portfolio Fall 2009 Edu 460 Dr. T. Shiver

Preface First I would like to thank God, my Parents, Marian, Ryan, Mr. Williams, Dean Witty, Dr. Devlin, Mrs. Epps, Dr. Shiver, Dr. Carmen, Dr. Stukes, Ms. Queen, Dr. Thornton and everyone else who has helped me along the way or offered words of encouragement.

Who is Bryan Simmons? I am a native of Columbia, S.C. I am currently completing my Bachelors degree in Elementary Education at Benedict College. I believe you should always shoot for the sun, because even if you don’t make it at least you will hit the moon.

Benedict College Conceptual framework: Ideals to Live by Teachers as Scholars Teachers as Effective Practitioners Teachers as Reflective Decision Makers Teachers as Resources for the Community

Teachers as Scholars It is essential for me to understand the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) I teach.

Teachers as Scholars As a scholar I must be aware of major areas of research on teaching and learning. I am certain Piaget never dealt with crack babies.

Teachers as Scholars The World is constantly changing and evolving. To be effective it is imperative that I engage in lifelong learning for continuous academic and personal growth.

Top 15% of people who have taken this assessment in previous years Top 15% of people who have taken this assessment in previous years. This achievement indicates a high level of proficiency in an area critical for professional educators.

Teachers as Scholars I view myself as an instructional leader who values the strength of diversity.

Teachers as Effective Practitioners Students have different learning styles, so in order to effectively reach everyone you must have a variety of instructional strategies.

Teachers as Effective Practitioners Now that I am competing with X-Box and Wii for the students attention. It is paramount that technology is used to enhance learning.

Teachers as Effective Practitioners As a result of my education coupled with practical experiences. I feel I have developed competencies in the teaching and learning process.

Teachers as Effective Practitioners What does it benefit a student to gain knowledge and lose understanding? I can teach all day but if I do not assess either formally or informally I will never know if my students are learning.

Teachers as Reflective Decision Makers Formal and informal assessments can take many forms. It is important to have several assessing strategies.

Teachers as Reflective Decision Makers I must be able to recognize factors that promote intrinsic motivation and use them to my advantage in the classroom. (desire to: have better life, be smart, have money, or go to college)

Teachers as Reflective Decision Makers I need to be able to identify and meet the needs of students of different maturity levels, abilities and backgrounds.

Teachers as Reflective Decision Makers A great educator reflects as part of their professional growth. I journaled during my experience. It allows you to deconstruct and rebuild yourself at that moment. Excerpt from my journal: Noise level was too loud and I corrected this, but as they cut out the barometers it got loud again. I am constantly having to keep them quiet and on task. There is constant singing, chattering, clowning around…. Next time address each problem individually and set the pace so that some students are not sitting idle waiting for others to finish.

Teachers as Resources for the Community Understand how relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community supports student learning.

Teachers as Resources for the Community Participates in collegial activities designed to make the entire school a learning community.

Teachers as Resources for the Community Active collaboration with others.

Teachers as Resources for the Community Embrace Professionalism Poised to enter the classroom.

Thank- you for your time. Sincerely, Mr. Bryan Simmons