1. 5 W’ S A BOUT K ATRINA T RAFICANTE AS A T EACHING P ROFESSIONAL EDC415 Dr. Kern Fall 2014

2. W HO A M I? I am graduated Magnum Cum Laude from Quinnipiac University with a B.A. in mathematics. (I love my rabbit !) “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” - Benjamin Franklin I teach Pre-Calculus and Numeracy for Elementary Teachers at URI. Favorite quote from a student: Professor Traficante, I just wanted to thank you...I believe that the teacher has a big impact on how your grade turns out and the students effort reflects the teachers. You really cared about your students and it seemed like you enjoyed teaching. I wish I had you last semester. You'll have an awesome teaching career ahead My older brother and I.

3. W HY D O I W ANT TO BE A T EACHER ? I have always loved math, and I want to share that with my students. If nothing more, I want to take away the fear associated with math that so many students have. I’ve watched my mom go through all the joys and hardships of being a high school math teacher, and I want to experience them as well. I want to share in the learning process with my students – to laugh with them, to learn with them, and to explore new topics with them.

4. M Y A PPROACHES TO T EACHING I believe that every rule and decision that I make and enforce in my classroom should have a clear reason, and this reason needs to be communicated to my students. Although I am in charge in my classroom, I want to create an environment of open communication, understanding, trust, and respect. Students will only follow my rules if they understand the reasoning behind them. Authoritative

5. M Y A PPROACHES TO T EACHING My classroom will be a safe and caring environment for all of my students. Learning cannot occur when a student’s basic needs are not met. These needs are very important to me, and I will do everything I can to make sure all my students feel safe, secure, and comfortable in my classroom. A student does not act without reason. Without addressing that reason, or the underlying cause, a student’s behavior cannot change. I care about each and every one of my students, and I understand that sometimes life gets in the way. It is important to me to understand what is going on in my students’ lives so that I can better help them in the classroom. HumanisticBehavioral

6. M Y A PPROACHES TO T EACHING I will have very clear procedures and rules so that there is no confusion in my classroom. Misbehavior can easily occur when students don’t know what to do. I believe setting clear guidelines is a very important part of my job to keep students safe and to make sure learning can occur. I don’t believe that I will never stop learning how to be a better teacher for my students. Because of this, I am always open to advice from other teachers, students, and parents. While not all advice should be implemented, I gladly take and consider every piece of advice given to me and use as much of it as I can. ManagerialFolkloric

7. M Y P HILOSOPHY OF E DUCATION I am not only a teacher, but a learner, a guide, and a role model. It is my job to not only help my students grow intellectually, but to support and lead them in growing as individuals. As a teacher, I recognize that all students can learn; it is not a question of if a student can learn a concept, but a question of how can a student learn a concept. No two students are identical, and it is my job to figure out what works best for each one of my students. It is my job to adapt according to how my students learn, not their job to adapt according to how I teach. I want my students to learn to problem solve and think critically so that they can overcome any obstacle they are faced with. By discovering knowledge together with my students, they will see that they possess the tools to learn without being given the answers.

8. C LASSROOM R ULES Be a productive member of class. Come to class prepared, contribute in discussions and group work, ask questions, and help others. Do your best on all assignments. Come for help if you’re stuck. (The sooner you ask for help, the easier it will be to get back on track!) Respect your classmates, your teacher, and yourself.

9. C ONSEQUENCES 1 st offense: Verbal warning 2 nd offense: Meeting with me to discuss behavior and possible solutions. 3 rd offense: Detention (morning, lunch, or afternoon) 4 th offense: Notify parent. (Meeting if desired/needed) 5 th offense: Meeting with parent, principal, teacher, and guidance counselor (if needed)