Week 8: Strength and Growth from Effort and Struggles

It was just one of those weeks. Week 8 was rightfully a crazy one. No week is ever the same, but oddly, I like it. Although I face struggles and frustrations, I feel blessed with this opportunity to student teach at an outstanding Agriculture/Horticulture program.

Therefore, I will share a HIGH (some of the best #UndeniablyDerry and other dynamite moments), a LOW (something I wish was better, but can’t change so I learn to grow from the experience), and a TIP (something that encouraged me to continue to grow my roots in agriculture education).

High:

This week I was able to sit down with one of the Learning Support teachers at Derry Area High School to discuss some of my students’ needs and accommodations. Recently, I found myself struggling with meeting the needs of all learners in certain classes. I have had the opportunity to attend one IEP meeting; however, I was unaware of specific accommodations for other students beyond the general suggestions given. Therefore the conversation I had with the Learning Support teacher helped me understand some additional teaching strategies that I can utilize within my classes to help accommodate to all my students’ needs. Additionally, I was given a glimpse into the ideas students have for their future careers, so I can connect content to their interest.  I am truly excited to utilize some different strategies that not only help all my students, but allow me to continue to grow in meeting diverse learners. Therefore, this meeting was extremely helpful for me and will continue to be as I move into a job in the future. 

Low:

Unfortunately, my week did not truly begin until Wednesday due to a written message on a bathroom stall that ‘warned’ students not to come to school. Although I was frustrated that we were dismissed from school, I am amazed at the procedures and precautions that were implemented immediately by administration to ensure safety for the students and faculty. On Wednesday morning, we had a faculty meeting lead by our Superintendent and Principle. During the meeting they shared with us the reasoning behind the procedures and precautions, while sharing standards and suggestions of what to do if this event did occur. Additionally since the threat was determined a ‘copycat’ act, they asked us to have a ‘real’ talk with our students about consequences of threatening messages. I am thankful that I have built rapport with my students because I felt I was able to effectively deliver the message. I am hoping I will not have to have another talk like this in my future classroom; however, I feel prepared to take on more ‘real’ talks.

Tip:

“Strength and growth only comes from continuous effort and struggle.” As I shared above, I struggled with meeting the needs of all learners in some of my classes. Therefore I realized that to get stronger in this, I needed to put forth the effort of connecting and discussing with the Learning Support teachers to grow my strategies to engage and involve all learners. I continue to remind myself to have a growth mindset for myself and my students.

Weekly Unique Moments:

Finished up the Plumbing
 Unit by testing Plumbing
Squares

Department Meeting: Not only do I get to attend faculty meetings, but I also get to attend department meetings to add to the authenticity of this experience! After my experience with my first department meeting, I can say I was thankful for AEE 413. There was discussion about Chapter 339, and additional topics that were discussed and covered throughout the course. Because of this basic previous knowledge, I was able to be fully engaged in discussion and decisions of the department.

CDE/LDE Practice: With our chapter contest and local contest quickly approaching, I dedicated my FFA Friday to having team and individual check points. For example, l had all my Creed speakers memorize the first paragraph of the FFA Creed. I am super proud to say that they met the challenge, and showed off their commitment and skills that will prepare them for the upcoming contest. 

New Units: I am super excited to have finished four units this week! It is time to buckle down for next week to prepare for four new units that get students excited and engaged in agriculture.

Inspiration and Motivation at National FFA Convention #ICanWeWill17

This year was different from my previous experiences at convention. Not only was the word ‘Advisor’ printed under my name on my badge, but my role and perspective on the purpose of convention changed.

Although, I enjoyed the many events that I participated in at the National FFA Convention, I believed it was not actions that set this convention a part from others; instead, it was the thoughtful and inspiring words shared by speakers, advisors, students and many others in attendance.

I truly felt inspired and motivated throughout my three days spent at convention. Whether I had access to my phone or a piece of paper and pen, I recorded thoughts and words that I found enlightening and encouraging.

Below I have highlighted moments with quotes that stand out the most from each day I spent at convention.

Wednesday –

At the first session of convention my students and I were inspired and motivated for the next few days ahead. Not only were we introduced to the conventions theme (check it out here), but we were also introduced and tasked to think about FFA in the next 10 years by National FFA Advisor – Dr. Brown.

Dr. Brown shared, "We must change to reflect and represent modern day 21st century agriculture to create a new era in FFA." As a future agriculture educator, I could not agree more! I have this urge of wanting a classroom and students to be forward thinkers and career driven. The words shared by Dr. Brown motivated me to ensure that I create this in my future classroom. To rise to the new era of agriculture, agriculture educators are tasked to fill our classrooms with beakers, speakers and job seekers.

At the end, Dr. Brown made us pledge by chanting, ‘I can. We will.’ Overall, it was a pledge as an individual and group to put in efforts to contribute and advance agriculture education.

Thursday-

I was able to be a self-advocate for growth by tasking myself to engage in three teacher workshops Thursday afternoon. The workshops I was able to engage in were the following:

• Living to Serve Grant 101
• Ticket of Success
• Streamlining Chapter Promotion Through Social Media

If I could choose a favorite workshop for that day, I would have chosen the Ticket of Success. This workshop shared how teaching is challenging, but can be rewarding and exciting. The workshop presenters reminded us that we were not in this alone. They encouraged us to build relationships with students, administration and the local community to build support for the program and you. Unfortunately I did not record who stated this quote, but one of the presenters shared, "I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things." 

All of the workshops were very helpful and help me develop knowledge and skills that I plan to use in my future classroom.

Friday –

To end my last evening at convention, I put on my favorite pair of jeans and boots to enjoy my favorite sport --- RODEO.

The evening was full of cheering with excitement as cowboys showed their skill of riding broncos or bulls for 8 seconds. In addition, there were motivational moments. As weird as it sounds, I felt inspired and motived while attending the rodeo. As the excitement ended for the night, the announcer shared something that his father reminded him often. His father would say, “The wealthiest man is one who gives to others and provides to society’s needs.” He proceeded to thank the agricultural educators in the audience for giving time and effort to the individuals that wear the blue corduroy jackets. Although it is not the highest paying profession, he hopes we realize that we are preparing students to contribute and join in efforts of preserving and advancing the agriculture industry. If that contribution does not make you feel wealthy, he did not know what would. Essentially, his story and thoughtful words inspired me. To top it off, after he finished my one student turned to me and said, “Thank you Ms. Wasson for choosing to become an agriculture teacher, you are going to do amazing things. I know it.” I was speechless, but now I am thankful. I am thankful for awesome students that make me feel wealthy, but mostly the chance to continue to experience this wealth in my future.

Overall, the thoughtful and encouraging words made me realize that I can create an impact on my students and they will create an impact in the agricultural industry.

Be sure to connect and keep an eye out on social media to catch more quotes that I recorded throughout convention.

How to Measure Student Growth Beyond Summative Assessments

As teachers, we write engaging lessons and labs. We implement interest approaches and problem solving methods, while including guest speakers and video clips. However, how do we know if all this matters? How do we know if it is worth all the phone calls, emails, digital searches and sharing? To know how, we must realize that everything must be purposeful to help students grow their knowledge.  To ensure growth is occurring we assess.

From this week’s reading, I have learned that assessment is not just about writing multiple choice questions, creating unit projects and counting participation points. Below I have shared how we can assess students beyond the summative assessments that provide students a grade on an exam, project or course activities.

Formative Assessment:

Formative assessment is not a part of the grading process, but a part of the instructional process.  It is when students receive input and guided feedback on their relative performance to help them improve or increase their thinking.

Check out this awesome infographic I found on formative assessment! Since my school is not one to one, I am trying to implement this form of assessment through non-digital sharing. I plan to create exit tickets, moments of pair and share, and implement color cues or thumbs up and down to show understanding.  

Self-Assessment:

Self-assessment is the ability to be a realistic judge of one’s own performance.

Self-assessment can be a powerful tool to give students ownership of their own progress. To me this means that the students are able to reflect and have growth mindset. I plan to implement this form of assessment through questioning. By asking questions, it sparks higher level of thinking. Here are a few questions I had in mind to do so:

Creating- What should I do next?

Evaluating- How well did I do?

Analyzing- Where could I use this again?

Understanding- What was important about it?

Remembering- What did I do?

Peer-Assessment:

Peer-assessment allows instructors to share the evaluation of assignments with their students

I strongly believe in creating a classroom environment where students feel comfortable giving and receiving constructive criticism from their peers. I want my classroom to be an environment of respect where my students constantly work to build each other up. I also believe that this would allow opportunity for the stronger students to help coach the weaker students. 

Overall, I look forward to implementing during my student teaching experience.

Reference:

Assessing Student Learning. (September 20, 2017). Retrieved October 08, 2017, from https://www.cte.cornell.edu/teaching-ideas/assessing-student-learning/index.html