1. Stephanie Allen EDU 650 Ashford University

2.  My name is Stephanie Allen. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies along with my Birth- Kindergarten License. I have ten years of experience in the classroom with various age groups ranging from infants to preschoolers. I possess excellent leadership skills and I love collaboration with colleagues to promote student success. I am a member of professional organizations in which I advocate for students and their needs.

3.  I am applying for a Kindergarten lead teacher position. This position requires the candidate to have a Bachelor’s degree in education, and a Birth-Kindergarten License. The candidate will be responsible for fostering the intellectual and social development of children. You must have at least two years of experience in the classroom as a lead teacher. As well you must be able to create, plan and evaluate lessons. Being capable of integrating goals, objectives and competencies into lessons is a requirement.

4.  I believe that the purpose of education is to make students knowledgeable of information. Through education a student can acquire skills that are essential for life. I believe that all students should be in an environment where they are challenged to grow in all the domains of development: social, emotional, cognitive, and physical, language, and self help.  I believe that the role of a teacher is to provide a developmentally appropriate education for each student in their class.  I expect students to build positive relationships with peers and teachers.

5.  I believe that classroom management is of significance and helps to increase the possibilities of learning in a classroom.  Rules and expectations should be introduced to students so that they are aware of what a teacher expects.  Students should also be aware of their role in the classroom.  Teachers should be aware of their role in the classroom. Routines and procedures should be set by the teacher and students should be knowledgeable of them.

6. Traditional Choices Public schools- schools that must admit students who live within their district. Private schools- schools that aren’t public and charge tuition. Alternative Schools Charter schools Magnet schools Innovation schools Homeschooling (Newman, 2013)

7.  An effective lesson plan begins with writing good learning objectives. The state standards (Common Core State Standards) will help to create learning objectives. Learning objectives should NOT describe what the teacher is doing.(Newman, 2013)  Students should play an important role on lesson planning design. Teachers are creating objectives for learning based on student needs.

8.  I believe the data that we collect through assessments helps us to improve the quality of education. When we use this data effectively it influences our instruction and helps increase student success.  Two types of assessment are formative and summative. Formative assessment provides information and feedback during instruction and during student learning. Feedback and information about the learning process is provided through summative assessment.

9.  “Teachers spend more time forming summative assessments when they should spend more or the same amount of time forming formative assessments.” (Wormeli, 2010)  As well Wormeli states that “assessment without feedback leads to instruction with no value.” (Wormeli, 2010).

10.  Assessment and evaluation plays a significant role in student learning and school improvement.  Evaluation plays a significant role in the quality of education. In schools today thorough evaluations are conducted of the school’s climate and culture, the history of improvement and change in the school, and the school’s resources (Lindahl & Beach, 2013)

11.  I have much experience in working with Professional Learning Communities. This collaboration is a great source of support from colleagues.  PLCs offer an infrastructure to connect individuals and a way of creating and organization that is dedicated to collaboration and continual learning (Newman, 2013).  Educators in these communities believe that their continuous learning is the key to improved student learning (Newman, 2013).

12.  Lindahl, R. A., & Beach, R. H. (2013). THE ROLE OF EVALUATION IN THE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROCESS. Planning and Changing, 44(1), 56-72. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1506941239?a ccountid=32521  Newman, R. (2013). Teaching and Learning in the 21 st Century: Connecting the Dots. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc  Wormeli, R. (2010, November 30). Formative and Summative Assessment. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJxFXjfB_B4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJxFXjfB_B4