1. Teacher Portfolio Nidia Cedillo EDU 650 Final Project

2. Introduction Hello my name is Nidia Cedillo. I am applying for a Spanish teacher position at your school, I am looking to use my degree in Secondary Education to inspire, motivate and engage your students towards learning a new language. I am seeking a position where I can instill these factors, thank you and I am confident that I am qualified for the position you are trying to fill in.

3. Philosophy of Education Three important components: 1. Create a motivational atmosphere for students. - It is a learning process from which we acquire skills and retain knowledge at different levels. This happens by the formal educational system, in classrooms, with teachers and peers, grade by grade. But it also happens informally, on a daily basis. A motivational atmosphere promotes student learning. 2. Allow students to construct relationships with one another. - This allows the students to create a relationship where they develop connections with their peers easing future group work and peer assessments. Students also develop understanding of other cultures. 3. Facilitate student learning in a positive environment. - A provision of skills and knowledge by society, as well as personal life experience, necessary for an individual to succeed in that society. All students should be given the same opportunity for equal education regardless of socioeconomic status or geographic location. No matter the circumstances a positive environment is key.

4. Classroom Management Plan A classroom management plan is the most important element when conducting an educational setting. Lesson objectives, classroom rules, consequences and expectations creates a thriving class, it lets students learn effectively in a positive learning environment. Students are also expected to follow the school rules and policies. On the other hand, they are also expected to work, be challenged, speak Spanish, hand in assignments on time, be treated like adults, grow as individuals and creative thinkers, to gain intermediate communication skills in Spanish and always expect for me to be there to help them at anytime. A display of the class calendar, assignments and rules created by the students will allow them to feel involved and responsible to maintain this. Effective classroom management also consists of: the teacher being fully prepared so if there ever is any free time, they have plan b (extension lesson) and having excellent time management. Finally creating high expectations/goals for each student.

5. Different School Models New York City is based on many diverse cultures and learners, this allows the Department of Education to explore and create many educational institutions and alternatives. Private Private Schools: Focuses on the study of the bible and religion. A tuition bill is disbursed monthly for parents. The government does not fund these institutions. Nuns and priests are teachers in this school. Uniforms are also required. Public Public Schools: Do not teach religion, rather follow state standards. No tuition Bill is required. Yearly state exams are given to students. Teachers are required to have state license. Government funded. Uniforms are not a requirement but can be one.

6. Effective Lesson Planning Objectives : having strong objectives helps determine the students learning outcome. Organization : written detailed lesson plans, saves class time. Engagement : engaging the student in the task at hand. Collaboration : collaborating with your colleagues making sure all are on the same page. Standards : Following state standards. Assessment : allows the teacher to observe if the student is on track or changes need to be made. Adjustments & Procedures : any changes in lesson (if applicable) and a daily class routine (procedure).

7. Backward Design : Student’s role in the learning process. Stage one: Desired Results Established Goal : Students will use prior knowledge to explain and create their family album using their own words. Enduring Understanding: The meaning of a family album. Family might have different meaning for some students. Students will know : Family vocabulary and their family members in the Spanish Language. Essential Questions : How and why do we communicate about our families? How can we use what we already know about our families and organize it in our family album? Students will be able to : understand and put into sentences vocabulary words such as adjectives and verbs, as well as create and share their family album. Stage two: Assessment Evidence Performance Tasks: Students can identify their family members and have an understanding of how to create their family albums. The student is capable of completing the album on their own. Formative Assessment : Students will be given a graphic organizer (WEB) where they will have to brainstorm some words in Spanish on family. Through a combination of direct instruction and questions students will be put into their triad groups and complete their family album. Summative Assessment : After completion of assignment students will present to their triads their family album and read sentences out loud. Homework will also be assigned. Other evidence: Students can use their family vocabulary. To show understanding students can peer review their work and edit after. Students can compare their family albums to their triad groups and identify each others family members and descriptions of each.

8. Stage Three: The Learning Plan Learning Activities: Students will learn new vocabulary (family members), differences between their family and their classmates and how to create a family album. - Students will be introduced to pictures of different family types: mom and dad, two mom family, two dad family, single parent family etc. - After students will write down differences and identify the vocabulary words. Students will then begin creating their family album. -Students will then share each others albums so they can have a better understanding of different families and also practice with the new vocabulary.

9. Assessment Matters Assessments are used for teachers to evaluate their students, they play a vital factor in the school curriculum. Many different strategies are built throughout the year by the teacher, where students are tested to better their learning instruction based on these results. Assessments structure the lesson and provide feedback to educators, this allows a learning enrichment for students. The role of an assessment is to measure the progress of each student individually, however, it also shows the value of the overall educational structure or school. Teachers monitor their students through assessments and parents monitor the school system based on these results. " Assessments and their results serve a variety of stakeholders. From students to parents to teachers to principals and those beyond the school walls, individuals at all levels use the results from classroom assessments to make important decisions" (Newman 2013). “ Assessments provide : student feedback, evidence to make adjustments or differentiate instruction. Formative Assessment: determines student achievement and feedback. The most successful formative assessment is a descriptive feedback. For example feedback on a project, describing exactly what mistakes were done, as well as allowing the students to revise their work based on the teachers feedback. Some examples of a formative assessment are: filling in a web, writing out the main ideas of the lesson, writing a journal entry or generate a KWL chart. Summative Assessment : is placed at the end of the lesson, it evaluates the level of learning in that lesson based on its objective. Summative assessments "provides a summary of the information that students know, understand, or can do" (Newman 2013). It also points out what students need to work on and this gets attended in a formative assessment. Some examples of a summative assessments are: an exit car, an exam, a project, a student checklist or a final paper.

10. Professional Learning Communities It is critical for teachers to incorporate new techniques in order for students to enhance their learning and understanding. It is equally important for both teachers and students to enhance their knowledge. Teachers learn through professional developments, student feedback and colleagues. The main ideas for a learning community is for the students to benefit, be motivated, engaged and learn.

11. References: Newman, R. (2013). Teaching and learning in the 21st century: Connecting the dots. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.Teaching and learning in the 21st century: Connecting the dots Margaret Zoller Booth and Heather Chase Sheehan. (2008). Journal of Adolescent Research. vol 23, 6:pp. 722-744. Research and Practice Productively Intertwined. Educational Researcher. Schoenfeld A. (2014). What Makes for Powerful Classrooms, and How Can We Support Teachers in Creating Them?: A Story of Tovani Cris. (2004). Do I Really Have to Teach Reading?: Content Comprehension, Grades 6-12. Ontario, CA: Stenhouse Publishers.