1. Teach For America
1.1. TFA Seminar II
1.1.1. develop competencies in the Teaching as Leadership framework
1.1.2. classroom observation to monitor teaching progression
1.1.3. goal implementation to follow through with classroom vision
1.1.4. continuing to expand classroom vision for year 2 of teaching
1.1.5. use of data to evaluate student progression and goals
1.1.6. continuation of TFA Seminar II for second half of year
1.1.7. Personal Growth: This seminar was very helpful in my first year of teaching. It kept me accountable and provided me with continued support that I was getting from Seminar I. This course allowed me to reflect on my personal teaching practices and interact with my peers to get an understanding of their personal teaching practices.
1.2. TFA Seminar I
1.2.1. understanding of transformational teaching
1.2.2. use of data to communicate student progress to goals and to continually improve effectiveness
1.2.3. goal setting to develop classroom vision
1.2.4. classroom observations to monitor teaching execution
1.2.5. aligned to best practices in content area instruction
1.2.6. professional development focused on social justice for students
1.2.7. Personal Growth: My first graduate course! This course was very supportive for in-classroom work. For example, I was required to submit lesson plans and have classroom observations. As a first year teacher with little experience, this was very comforting to me to have a course that specifically focused on work that supported what I was doing in the classroom. I learned how to improve my teaching practices and simplify lesson plans to be more flexible based on special education student needs.
1.3. Long/Short Range Planning
1.3.1. focus on course design, unit planning, lesson planning and assessment
1.3.2. study and implement curricular design framework to be incorporated in classroom
1.3.3. use data to create long and short term planning goals
1.3.4. review goals and reflect on teaching progress
1.3.5. Personal Growth: This was one of my favorite courses. Upon entering this course, I did not like data. When I completed this course I was so supportive of data and wanted to incorporate it into every aspect of my teaching! I learned how to implement, collect and evaluate data in my classroom. I also meet with an elementary team to discuss their data practices and how we can improve in areas. This course gave me a new perspective with data and allowed me to get great, interactive experience with a data team.
2. Research
2.1. History & Profession of Education
2.1.1. understanding of education history, development and progression
2.1.2. understanding of education standards
2.1.3. understanding professionalism in education with an overview of the philosophical and legal
2.1.4. research and assignments based on current trends in education theory and multi-cultural issues in education
2.1.5. Personal Growth: This course provided a lot of powerful readings and research. Understanding the history of education from the very beginning of times was such an eye opening experience. I could see the injustices connect from modern times to ancient times. This course was a great foundation for me to better understand why there is so much change needed in the education system and why it is not happening as fast as I would like.
2.2. Educational Research & Design
2.2.1. experience supporting thoughtful inquiry into educational research and practice
2.2.2. examine relevant educational research strategies such as qualitative and quantitative data methods based on teaching content area
2.2.3. read academic literature to use for literature review including introduction, review of literature and methods chapters
2.2.4. Personal Growth: I learned a lot about research writing in this course. The professor divided the final research paper into sections which made it much easier to focus on specific areas of research without being too overwhelmed. My research topic was based on early childhood education services and I loved reading through all the literature. I currently teacher preschool so this was very applicable and provided me with great knowledge to share with families.
2.3. Culminating Experience
2.3.1. currently enrolled in this course :)
2.3.2. concept map of Chaminade course experiences
2.3.3. review peer literature review, reply to feedback
2.3.4. create research questions to explore
2.3.5. capstone project incorporating content acquired through Master's experience
2.3.6. analyze ideas and data
2.3.7. Personal Growth: Currently taking this course as this concept map is an assignment :) So far, I really appreciate how the professor is dividing up the research process which helps me to focus on one area rather than getting overwhelmed. I also love the interaction with peers and it's been very helpful for my overall performance getting consistent feedback. I have enjoyed this concept map assignment because it is building off a previous course I took last semester. I also like that we are able to go back and update our concept maps after looking at our classmates work and getting constructive feedback. Thanks Professor Roseler!
2.4. Psychological Foundation of Education & Development
2.4.1. examine several different psychological theories of learning and development to focus on application in the classroom
2.4.2. examined theories of learning human information processing, constructivism, motivation, and cultural transmission
2.4.3. implemented a lesson plan to evaluate student performance in the concept of addition
2.4.4. self-evaluation on process and how to make improvements
2.4.5. researched what is a concept and conceptual understanding
2.4.6. create problem solving activities as a means of demonstrating understanding of theory and appropriate practice
2.4.7. Personal Growth: This course was a challenge for me. I was the only student taking this course so it was an interesting experience. I did my first graduate school concept map in this course! All semester I was building a research paper examining multiple theories and putting that into practice through a student interview.
3. Culturally Responsive Practices
3.1. Peace, Justice & Education Reform
3.1.1. research influences of educational change at classroom, school, community state and national level
3.1.2. focus on critical examination of peace and justice theories, principles and research related to the educational reform
3.1.3. generate culturally responsive practices to apply into classroom teachings
3.1.4. self-evaluation and opinion on current issues
3.1.5. Personal Growth: Teacher empowerment. After taking this class, I feel that I am on the change making side of education. There is still so much to be done but by starting with myself and at a community level, I can still accomplish much. This class also made me interested in the political side of education.
3.2. Introduction to Exceptional Children
3.2.1. understand the laws that govern special education and student categories
3.2.2. research about different learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral challenged, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, language impairments, physical or health impairments, visually and hearing impaired, autism spectrum disorder, English language learners and gifted and talented students
3.2.3. Personal Growth: This course was very important to me as I am a special education teacher. Understanding the laws, such as IDEA, more clearly allowed me to offer better services in my sped classrooms. I really appreciated getting an overview of the special education qualifying categories because I have not worked directly with students in each of the categories. This course showed me how these supports can be provided and the textbook required for this course will stay in my classroom!
3.3. Diverse Learners
3.3.1. currently enrolled in this course
3.3.2. examine theories of race, culture, socio-economic status and purpose for teaching
3.3.3. research and implement culturally responsive teaching methods with a focus on Hawaiian students and diverse groups living in Hawaii
3.3.4. review characteristics of exceptional learners and how classroom strategies can support and address unique learning needs
3.3.5. Personal Growth: Currently enrolled in this class but I already am enjoying the literature provided. I just completed a project showcasing a Wahi Pana in my community and it was a great experience diving into the history of Waipio and being able to share my personal connection to the land.
3.4. Multicultural Education & Diversity
3.4.1. explore multi-cultural environments and understand how to implement culturally responsive teaching practices to support all students
3.4.2. research student diversity based on sex, income, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and create classroom practices that are inclusive and equitable for students in each category
3.4.3. understand perspective of English language learners and examine best practices to use to support English learning
3.4.4. explore a variety of cultures and focus on one to research arts, language, food, celebrations, traditions
3.4.5. Personal Growth: This course was directly applicable to my teaching environment as my school serves a diverse population. The material shared in this course was similar to my TFA training so I was grateful to have a basic understanding entering. Upon completing this course, I was able to develop a stronger sense of culture and specifically what teacher strategies and practices I should focus on for full inclusivity.
3.5. Learning Environments
3.5.1. currently enrolled in this course
3.5.2. explore current research, theory, and best practices related to classroom management
3.5.3. focus on how to establish effective and equitable expectations and structure for classroom
3.5.4. best practices for managing individual student behavior
3.5.5. support with developing relationships with staff, parents and community
3.5.6. use a variety of instructional formats such as cooperative learning groups, learning centers, project-based learning and whole group instruction
3.5.7. observation and participation hours are completed online due to virtual learning
3.5.8. Personal Growth: Currently enrolled in this course and I am very much enjoying the literature assignments. The text, First Days of School, is a focus for papers and I am acquiring so much knowledge from the readings. The text clearly details what routines, structures and expectations should be established during the first week of school that can lead to yearly success on both the student and teacher level.
4. Evidence of Applied Learning
4.1. Volunteer/ Travel
4.1.1. TFamily Day: Teach for America has TFAmily days multiple times throughout the year. This gives teachers opportunities to connect with one another while giving back to the community. I hosted a TFamily day in the community in which I serve and coordinated a malama aina day with teachers from around the island. We partnered with the non profit, HuiMAU to spend the day in wana pahi, Koholalele. During the day we learned about ancient mo'olelo of the land and kalo, participated in malama aina, yoga (led by me!) and art. We finished the day with gratitude circles and shared breathe. It was a beautiful learning experience for myself to lead something so big and was also a wonderful educational experience learning from HuiMAU and supporting the community.
4.1.2. Pohaha I Ka Lani: I have volunteered with this non-profit since summer of 2019. Pohaha I Ka Lani cares for the land around Waipio from the rim lands to the valley. I have supported the organization with multiple malama aina projects. Currently, I work in the lo'i in the valley and supporting harvest for families who need support during this time.
4.1.3. Ku Kiai Mauna: My community was heavily involved in the movement at the base of Mauna Kea. This experience was life changing for me and such an honor to be in the presence of such strong Hawaiian culture. Being able to participate in protocol and learn from kanaka was a humbling, empowering experience. My students and close friends had friends and family in the movement which allowed me to gain a unique perspective on this movement.
4.2. Work/Career
4.2.1. Mental Health Conference: I attended the national conference on mental health for the youth in Austin, Texas. I was invited to attend this with my school counselor who knows I have an interest in advocating for mental health. This experience was not only fun to travel but incredibly enriching and we were able to share information and resources learned with our school team
4.2.2. Visible Learning Conference: I attended the Visible Learning national conference in Las Vegas, Nevada with my ILT team. This experience was so powerful and educational. To network with thousands of other teachers from across the country was such a privilege. My team also had multiple opportunities to connect and discuss how we can implement school-wide changes.
4.2.3. Student advocate: Through my graduate school courses, I was able to strengthen my teaching practices as an educator. Through this process, as a special educator, I became more confident and more aware of areas where students need support. I learned how to accurately write an IEP while advocating for student needs, services and placement.
4.2.4. Connection to keiki: Building, strong trustworthy relationships was such an amazing experience. Currently, I work with preschool students in a fully self contained classroom. Developing their trust took time as some students have unique communication and behaviors. These relationships with students are so valuable to me and have taught me so much about myself as a human and as an educator
4.2.5. Connection to parents: During this time of virtual school classrooms, I have had a wonderful opportunity to create stronger relationships with my students' families. In fact, I would say I speak to parents more often now than I did when school was on campus. This experience has allowed me to better understand the need for consistent, daily or weekly, conversation with parents.
4.3. Home/Family
4.3.1. Return to Baltimore: Visiting my home city after living in Hawaii was big culture shock. I noticed I was uncomfortable on the multiple lane highways, I was more aware of the continued patterns of friends and families and I felt disconnect from nature being in a concrete jungle. It was a beautiful time visiting with friends and family but I was able to observe many conscious changes that I have been through. Visiting Maryland reminded me how much I love the island.
4.3.2. Reflect on culture: Traveling home and spending time with family allowed me to find a deeper connection to my roots. Learning another culture is interesting and it also allowed me to be more curious about my own culture. Being able to reflect on my childhood and moments that helped to shape who I am today was such a blessing.