Overview of the Portfolio
* The following document is a Masters in Teaching Portfolio. It is a collection of my work over the last year with the University of Alaska Southeast and the work I have done with my mentor teacher at Dzantik'i Heeni Middle School. There are nine goals in ascending order. Each of the goals, written as headlines, are followed by strands which synthesize meeting each overall goal. Under each goal, I have listed information to prove how I have met the objectives and requirements of the program. This portfolio is to demonstrate and prove my abilities to be a secondary education teacher.
How to Access the Material:
* You need to be connected to the web to access the material.
* All 9 goals are listed with there various objectives underneath them. You need to scroll down the document to see the listed goals and objectives.
* Embedded in the paragraphs are hyper-links to the documents that I refer to. All you need to do is click on the link and read the documents.
* On the right side of the blog page there is a column labeled recent posts which will help you move through the documents. If you click on any of the goals it will take you to the goal.
* For further information each strand has a hyper-link to google documents where I have posted more information defending my mastery of the skills mentioned in each goal strand. Some formatting of documents may have been changed as they were uploaded to the web.
* If at any time you have questions with what you find and want to contact me please feel free to e-mail me at free2bolsen@yahoo.com
About me
* When I was in eighth grade, my science teacher took my mother aside and told her not to worry, I would turn out fine and one day be a great teacher. When my mother told me about this conversation, I just scoffed and forgot all about it. Well, here I am, about to graduate with a Masters in Education, striving to be the best teacher I can be. One of my many goals is to facilitate success throughout any school that I am placed in. I hope that I can contribute to the community and develop excellence and leave a positive impact upon each student I encounter, while having an open mind to absorb the many lessons in life everyday.
* Refer to my resume to look at some of my past job and educational experiences.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Goal 1: Teachers articulate, maintain, and develop a philosophy of education that they also demonstrate in practice.
1a. Support their philosophy of education with research-based theory and evidence. (K)
* Refer to my Educational Philosophies Essay where I critique various different philosophies of education that we have studied in the MAT. This essay shows philosophers like John Dewey and Horace Mann, and shows how I have taken their beliefs and synthesized them with my own. I wrote this essay after researching different philosophers and ultimately integrating them with my own experiences.
* My Philosophy of Education paper reflects on the development of my philosophy of education based on theory and my experiences as a student teacher.
1b. Apply philosophy, beliefs, and theory to practice. (P)
* Refer to the posting My Individualized Education Plan on my blog Olsen's MAT Blog. I created this posting as an assignment for an Educational Technology course. The posting includes five lesson plans, which demonstrate the application of my student-center, constructivism philosophy of education to lessons.
1c. Abide by a philosophy of education and remain flexible to revising it based on new research and teaching experience. (D)
* The Philosophy of Education Video I created for my Technology In the Classroom course reflects on the revising of my philosophy through my experiences.
* Refer to my internship evaluation where my host teachers and UAS adviser evaluate and reflects on my philosophy as a math and science teacher. This evaluation will show examples of my philosophy in practice as well as other examples my philosophy over the course of the school year.
* Refer to my Educational Philosophies Essay where I critique various different philosophies of education that we have studied in the MAT. This essay shows philosophers like John Dewey and Horace Mann, and shows how I have taken their beliefs and synthesized them with my own. I wrote this essay after researching different philosophers and ultimately integrating them with my own experiences.
* My Philosophy of Education paper reflects on the development of my philosophy of education based on theory and my experiences as a student teacher.
1b. Apply philosophy, beliefs, and theory to practice. (P)
* Refer to the posting My Individualized Education Plan on my blog Olsen's MAT Blog. I created this posting as an assignment for an Educational Technology course. The posting includes five lesson plans, which demonstrate the application of my student-center, constructivism philosophy of education to lessons.
1c. Abide by a philosophy of education and remain flexible to revising it based on new research and teaching experience. (D)
* The Philosophy of Education Video I created for my Technology In the Classroom course reflects on the revising of my philosophy through my experiences.
* Refer to my internship evaluation where my host teachers and UAS adviser evaluate and reflects on my philosophy as a math and science teacher. This evaluation will show examples of my philosophy in practice as well as other examples my philosophy over the course of the school year.
Goal 2: Teachers understand how human development affects learning and apply that understanding to practice.
2a. Identify ways students' developmental levels affect their thinking processes and learning. (K)
* In my Reflection on Hemispheric Preference, I examine my hemispheric preference and the impacts it has on my learning and teaching styles.
* Refer to my paper on Human Development where I demonstrate knowledge of human development, including, intellectual, emotional, social and physical.
2b. Accommodate differences in how students learn based on knowledge of individual's social, emotional, and intellectual maturation. (P)
* Refer to my teacher work sample where I comment on my students social and emotional development as I plan my lessons. I explore where the students are coming from financially, socially, and ethnically and explain why this can affect their brain development and learning. In my teacher work sample I explain how I accommodated for these challenges and lead the way toward student success.
2c. Appreciate unique thinking processes of learners at different stages of development. (D)
* Refer to my evaluation where my host teacher and supervisor rank me higher than the average first year teacher. This evaluation illustrates that I have shown to expert teachers that I can accommodate unique thinking processes and learners at different stages.
* In my Reflection on Hemispheric Preference, I examine my hemispheric preference and the impacts it has on my learning and teaching styles.
* Refer to my paper on Human Development where I demonstrate knowledge of human development, including, intellectual, emotional, social and physical.
2b. Accommodate differences in how students learn based on knowledge of individual's social, emotional, and intellectual maturation. (P)
* Refer to my teacher work sample where I comment on my students social and emotional development as I plan my lessons. I explore where the students are coming from financially, socially, and ethnically and explain why this can affect their brain development and learning. In my teacher work sample I explain how I accommodated for these challenges and lead the way toward student success.
2c. Appreciate unique thinking processes of learners at different stages of development. (D)
* Refer to my evaluation where my host teacher and supervisor rank me higher than the average first year teacher. This evaluation illustrates that I have shown to expert teachers that I can accommodate unique thinking processes and learners at different stages.
Goal 3: Teachers differentiate instruction with respect for individual and cultural characteristics.
3a. Identify strategies for differentiating instruction based on student differences. (K)
* Refer to my paper on different strategies that I used throughout the year in my science classroom. Notice how I attempt to touch on all different styles of learning.
* Refer to my paper on multiple intelligences where I examine various types of learning styles that can occur in a classroom.
* In my paper on diversifying curriculum, I touch on the importance of curriculum to be designed not only for the educational content that it carries, but also with consideration to the learning modalities that it favors, the different meanings it may have for different students, and the personal application it can potentially have for students.
3b. Design instruction that incorporates characteristics of the local community's culture and that is appropriate to students' individual and special needs. (P)
* Refer to my teacher work sample where I talk about the different ways I differentiated instruction for success of my students. The assignments were part of the unit that had a lot of variety and choices to help students complete their project. Of course, because I was learning, this paper also has a reflective piece where I talk about what I would do different next time.
* In the Reflection on "Communicating Across Cultures" I write of the imbalance always occurring in communication between individuals and across cultures. This imbalance in communication has had great affects on the education system of many Native villages.
3c. Apply local and Alaska knowledge to the selection of instructional strategies, materials, and resources. (P)
* I designed a unique Alaskan unit on building artificial reefs for my Alaskan Studies course this past spring. I focused on incorporating local and state knowledge into my instructional strategies in order to touch all students.
3d. Appreciate multiple perspectives and value individual differences. (D)
* Refer to my evaluation where my host teacher, supervisor, and my self evaluation all reflect the appreciation of various cultural and individual differences and how it guided my instruction. You will see on my evaluation that I rank above the average teacher in this category showing that the people who have observed me throughout the year saw me use multiple perspectives in my lessons everyday.
* Refer to my paper on different strategies that I used throughout the year in my science classroom. Notice how I attempt to touch on all different styles of learning.
* Refer to my paper on multiple intelligences where I examine various types of learning styles that can occur in a classroom.
* In my paper on diversifying curriculum, I touch on the importance of curriculum to be designed not only for the educational content that it carries, but also with consideration to the learning modalities that it favors, the different meanings it may have for different students, and the personal application it can potentially have for students.
3b. Design instruction that incorporates characteristics of the local community's culture and that is appropriate to students' individual and special needs. (P)
* Refer to my teacher work sample where I talk about the different ways I differentiated instruction for success of my students. The assignments were part of the unit that had a lot of variety and choices to help students complete their project. Of course, because I was learning, this paper also has a reflective piece where I talk about what I would do different next time.
* In the Reflection on "Communicating Across Cultures" I write of the imbalance always occurring in communication between individuals and across cultures. This imbalance in communication has had great affects on the education system of many Native villages.
3c. Apply local and Alaska knowledge to the selection of instructional strategies, materials, and resources. (P)
* I designed a unique Alaskan unit on building artificial reefs for my Alaskan Studies course this past spring. I focused on incorporating local and state knowledge into my instructional strategies in order to touch all students.
3d. Appreciate multiple perspectives and value individual differences. (D)
* Refer to my evaluation where my host teacher, supervisor, and my self evaluation all reflect the appreciation of various cultural and individual differences and how it guided my instruction. You will see on my evaluation that I rank above the average teacher in this category showing that the people who have observed me throughout the year saw me use multiple perspectives in my lessons everyday.
Goal 4: Teachers possess current academic content knowledge.
4a. Demonstrate knowledge of the content area taught, including structure of the curriculum, the tools of inquiry, central concepts, and connections to other areas of knowledge. (K)
* Refer to my content area evaluation where my host teacher and I and my UAS advisor went over my current academic content knowledge. This document explains my real strengths in the areas of science as well as some great tips for me before I start a new unit. I was rated a four point five out of six on academic content, with lots of room to continue my own research to become rich in my field.
* Refer to my paper on Content Methods that I wrote for an education seminar course. In this paper I write about the growing movement for cultural awareness and the influence of technology in teaching science.
4b. Connect the content area to other content areas and to practical situations encountered outside the school. (P)
* Refer to my paper relating content area to areas outside the classroom where I demonstrate the ability to include and teach activities that relate content area to real life situations.
4c. Commit to professional discourse about content knowledge and student learning of content. (D)
* Refer to my content area evaluation where my host teacher, myself and my UAS advisor went over my current academic content knowledge.
* Refer to my content area evaluation where my host teacher and I and my UAS advisor went over my current academic content knowledge. This document explains my real strengths in the areas of science as well as some great tips for me before I start a new unit. I was rated a four point five out of six on academic content, with lots of room to continue my own research to become rich in my field.
* Refer to my paper on Content Methods that I wrote for an education seminar course. In this paper I write about the growing movement for cultural awareness and the influence of technology in teaching science.
4b. Connect the content area to other content areas and to practical situations encountered outside the school. (P)
* Refer to my paper relating content area to areas outside the classroom where I demonstrate the ability to include and teach activities that relate content area to real life situations.
4c. Commit to professional discourse about content knowledge and student learning of content. (D)
* Refer to my content area evaluation where my host teacher, myself and my UAS advisor went over my current academic content knowledge.
Goal 5: Teachers facilitate student learning by using assessment to guide planning, instruction, and modification of teaching practice.
5a. Understand how to plan for instruction that is based on student needs and curriculum goals. (K)
* The Electricity Unit I designed for my middle school science classes I student-taught demonstrate the planning I put into my instruction. The lessons are aligned with Alaska state standards and include the objectives I had for the unit. I created a lesson on the density of fluids PowerPoint for a literacy development course. In this presentation, I outline the objectives and assessment used in the lesson.
5b. Plan, teach, and assess for optimal student learning. (P)
* Refer to my teacher work sample section where I explain how I planned my unit in order to assess student knowledge and learning at the optimal level. I explain how my planning this unit after observing my students led to the optimal student learning for each individual in my class. The results from this unit in my post assessment section and conclusion shows that I was able to teach to the optimal student learning because of the growth in student scores.
* Refer to my paper Adjusting Instruction where I demonstrate an ability to adjust instruction based on assessments of student performance.
* Refer to my letter of recommendation from my host teacher where Mr. Kovach states "Mr. Olsen has evolved into an educator with strong skills in curriculum development and curriculum implementation. His lessons focus on a constructivist, project-based approach to daily classroom activities."
5c. Value assessment and instruction as integrated processes. (D)
* Refer to my teacher work sample assessment section where I show that I was able to backwards plan my unit based on the list of things that I wanted my students to be able to do at the end of the unit. I show that the assessment of the unit was a base for my teaching the unit. This organization helped me facilitate success by having a vision of where I wanted to go. Having the pre-test and post-test mirror each other showed that I was successful in teaching my formative assessments to the standards desired.
* The Electricity Unit I designed for my middle school science classes I student-taught demonstrate the planning I put into my instruction. The lessons are aligned with Alaska state standards and include the objectives I had for the unit. I created a lesson on the density of fluids PowerPoint for a literacy development course. In this presentation, I outline the objectives and assessment used in the lesson.
5b. Plan, teach, and assess for optimal student learning. (P)
* Refer to my teacher work sample section where I explain how I planned my unit in order to assess student knowledge and learning at the optimal level. I explain how my planning this unit after observing my students led to the optimal student learning for each individual in my class. The results from this unit in my post assessment section and conclusion shows that I was able to teach to the optimal student learning because of the growth in student scores.
* Refer to my paper Adjusting Instruction where I demonstrate an ability to adjust instruction based on assessments of student performance.
* Refer to my letter of recommendation from my host teacher where Mr. Kovach states "Mr. Olsen has evolved into an educator with strong skills in curriculum development and curriculum implementation. His lessons focus on a constructivist, project-based approach to daily classroom activities."
5c. Value assessment and instruction as integrated processes. (D)
* Refer to my teacher work sample assessment section where I show that I was able to backwards plan my unit based on the list of things that I wanted my students to be able to do at the end of the unit. I show that the assessment of the unit was a base for my teaching the unit. This organization helped me facilitate success by having a vision of where I wanted to go. Having the pre-test and post-test mirror each other showed that I was successful in teaching my formative assessments to the standards desired.
Goal 6: Teachers create & manage a stimulating, inclusive & safe learning community in which students take intellectual risks and work independently
6a. Investigate and use a variety of classroom management techniques to establish and maintain a responsive environment in which all students are able to learn. (K,P)
* Refer to my paper on my classroom management philosophy where I talk about ways to manage a classroom. Good classroom management creates a safe learning environment.
* Refer to my paper on Grouping Strategies where I expand on methods used in my classroom throughout my year of student teaching.
6b. Establish and maintain a positive classroom climate in which students develop self-direction and collaborative skills. (P)
* Refer to my paper on Classroom Expectations. In this paper, I reflect on the importance that classrooms should foster an atmosphere where students assume responsibility for their own learning.
6c. Commit to ensuring student well being and development of self-regulation and group interaction skills. (D)
* Refer to my evaluation where my host teachers talk about and discuss my current skills in this area. Covering the ideas of how important it is that the students know they are welcomed and how important to the class that they show up everyday. As important that the teacher is present everyday, it is also important that the students know we are glad when they come into the classroom.
* Refer to my paper on my classroom management philosophy where I talk about ways to manage a classroom. Good classroom management creates a safe learning environment.
* Refer to my paper on Grouping Strategies where I expand on methods used in my classroom throughout my year of student teaching.
6b. Establish and maintain a positive classroom climate in which students develop self-direction and collaborative skills. (P)
* Refer to my paper on Classroom Expectations. In this paper, I reflect on the importance that classrooms should foster an atmosphere where students assume responsibility for their own learning.
6c. Commit to ensuring student well being and development of self-regulation and group interaction skills. (D)
* Refer to my evaluation where my host teachers talk about and discuss my current skills in this area. Covering the ideas of how important it is that the students know they are welcomed and how important to the class that they show up everyday. As important that the teacher is present everyday, it is also important that the students know we are glad when they come into the classroom.
Goal 7: Teachers work as partners with parents, families, and the community.
7a. Develop a sound, broad-based understanding of students' families and the local communities. (K)
* Refer to my teacher work sample where I discuss the different backgrounds of my students. This paper goes into some detail about my students ethnic and socioeconomic status and individuals as well as a discussion on a group level.
7b. Communicate effectively with parents and community and incorporate local ways of knowing into decision making about all levels of schooling. (P)
* Refer to the parent letter I developed, a document I sent home and the beginning of the year to initiate contact with parents. The letter welcomes the families to the school and talks about the curriculum and what is to be expected over the next semester in class.
* Refer to my contact log document I developed to aid in my parental communication organization. This log keeps track of the parent, date, time, and what the conversation was about. Its a great way to keep a running record of the important conversations I may have with parents and its kind of a way to keep myself in check if I tell a parent I will do something. It ensures that I will do what I said I would.
* Refer to my Parent Involvement paper where I talk about how I connect with parents and the useful ways I get in touch with them. This paper discusses different ideas I have heard other teachers use to communicate with parents and ones that I will use when I have my own classroom.
7c. Recognize the school as an integral part of the community and value parents as partners in promoting student learning. (D)
* Refer to my philosophy on the role of schools in the community where I stress how important it is for educators to uphold the trust and respect of the community by practicing excellence in their profession.
* Refer to my teacher work sample where I discuss the different backgrounds of my students. This paper goes into some detail about my students ethnic and socioeconomic status and individuals as well as a discussion on a group level.
7b. Communicate effectively with parents and community and incorporate local ways of knowing into decision making about all levels of schooling. (P)
* Refer to the parent letter I developed, a document I sent home and the beginning of the year to initiate contact with parents. The letter welcomes the families to the school and talks about the curriculum and what is to be expected over the next semester in class.
* Refer to my contact log document I developed to aid in my parental communication organization. This log keeps track of the parent, date, time, and what the conversation was about. Its a great way to keep a running record of the important conversations I may have with parents and its kind of a way to keep myself in check if I tell a parent I will do something. It ensures that I will do what I said I would.
* Refer to my Parent Involvement paper where I talk about how I connect with parents and the useful ways I get in touch with them. This paper discusses different ideas I have heard other teachers use to communicate with parents and ones that I will use when I have my own classroom.
7c. Recognize the school as an integral part of the community and value parents as partners in promoting student learning. (D)
* Refer to my philosophy on the role of schools in the community where I stress how important it is for educators to uphold the trust and respect of the community by practicing excellence in their profession.
Goal 8: Teachers develop and maintain professional, moral, and ethical attitudes, behaviors, relationships, and habits of mind.
8a. Keep current in knowledge of content and teaching practice. (K)
* In the paper Current Methods, I reflect on the current developments and trends in science curriculum that focuses on the increase in teaching from multiple perspectives brought on by a growing cultural awareness and increase in technology.
8b. Participate in and contribute to the teaching profession. (P)
* In my blog Olsen's MAT Blog, I published a post about participating in the Edutopia Social Community. Read this post to see my thoughts on participating and contributing to the teaching profession through this online community.
8c. Communicate effectively with students, colleagues, and supervisors. (P)
* David Kovach, my host teacher in his letter of recommendation, comments on my having the ability to build relationships with students, while at the same time managing their classroom behaviors.
* In my reflection on my growth over the past year, I focus on building and continuing to develop my communications with colleagues and supervisors.
8d. Value professional ethics, democratic principles, and collaborative learning communities. (D)
* Refer to my evaluation, where teachers comment on my ethics in the classroom as well as what I contributed to the school environment. In this process of evaluation I was able to sit down with my host teacher and supervisor and reflect on how I contributed to the school community.
* Refer to my document on the Code of Ethics where I underscore my commitment to abiding by the State of Alaska’s Teacher Code of Ethics.
* In the paper Current Methods, I reflect on the current developments and trends in science curriculum that focuses on the increase in teaching from multiple perspectives brought on by a growing cultural awareness and increase in technology.
8b. Participate in and contribute to the teaching profession. (P)
* In my blog Olsen's MAT Blog, I published a post about participating in the Edutopia Social Community. Read this post to see my thoughts on participating and contributing to the teaching profession through this online community.
8c. Communicate effectively with students, colleagues, and supervisors. (P)
* David Kovach, my host teacher in his letter of recommendation, comments on my having the ability to build relationships with students, while at the same time managing their classroom behaviors.
* In my reflection on my growth over the past year, I focus on building and continuing to develop my communications with colleagues and supervisors.
8d. Value professional ethics, democratic principles, and collaborative learning communities. (D)
* Refer to my evaluation, where teachers comment on my ethics in the classroom as well as what I contributed to the school environment. In this process of evaluation I was able to sit down with my host teacher and supervisor and reflect on how I contributed to the school community.
* Refer to my document on the Code of Ethics where I underscore my commitment to abiding by the State of Alaska’s Teacher Code of Ethics.
Goal 9: Teachers use technology effectively, creatively, and and wisely.
9a. Operate computers and other technologies and evaluate their potentials and limitations. (K)
* Refer to my Anthro-Tech assignment where I document and evaluate the technology in my host school. This paper is a research paper intended to document what technology is available at Dzantik'i Heeni Middle School. It is also a guideline to show what technology is available for classroom use at DHMS.
9b. Integrate technology in planning, instruction, and assessment to support student learning. (P)
* Refer to the I.E.P. section of my MAT blog where I document my use of computers through the use of power point in my MAT classroom. Under the I.E.P. section of my blog the reader will be able to follow along my lessons where I got my science classes to research an assigned body system and build a power point presentation to share with their classmates.
9c. Value technology as a tool for student and teacher lifelong learning. (D)
* Both this blog and my other blog Olsen's MAT Blog demonstrate the value I put on technology. I chose to embrace a blog format for my portfolio because of the importance technology has in education today.
* Refer to my evaluation where my supervisor and mentor teachers commented on my use of technology in the classroom. The evaluation discusses how much my students enjoyed using the computer to create power point presentations and do research via the internet.
* Refer to my Anthro-Tech assignment where I document and evaluate the technology in my host school. This paper is a research paper intended to document what technology is available at Dzantik'i Heeni Middle School. It is also a guideline to show what technology is available for classroom use at DHMS.
9b. Integrate technology in planning, instruction, and assessment to support student learning. (P)
* Refer to the I.E.P. section of my MAT blog where I document my use of computers through the use of power point in my MAT classroom. Under the I.E.P. section of my blog the reader will be able to follow along my lessons where I got my science classes to research an assigned body system and build a power point presentation to share with their classmates.
9c. Value technology as a tool for student and teacher lifelong learning. (D)
* Both this blog and my other blog Olsen's MAT Blog demonstrate the value I put on technology. I chose to embrace a blog format for my portfolio because of the importance technology has in education today.
* Refer to my evaluation where my supervisor and mentor teachers commented on my use of technology in the classroom. The evaluation discusses how much my students enjoyed using the computer to create power point presentations and do research via the internet.
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