Dear Reader,

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Introduction
Hello, this is Katelyn Gaskey. Welcome to my freshman portfolio. This contains a few of my assignments that show a little of what I’ve learned over the course of the year. This portfolio should give you an idea of how my life has been impacted by New Tech. There will be some pictures, but mostly reading because I enjoy writing a lot.

One of the things I care about most are my grades, with good grades there is a world of opportunities open to me. Being in a New Tech school, I’ve noticed that it’s actually a little harder to keep my grades where I want them. I’m used to maintaining straight A’s in my classes. This year with the groups, it’s seems like I’ve gotten thrown into a group of immature children that are not mentally ready for high school yet. It’s difficult to work with those who refuse to do anything but talk, especially when you have no one to back you up. I am glad that my grades have not fallen below a B in any class, but I’m still not satisfied with getting Bs.

I view New Tech as both a good thing and a bad thing. It’s good because it teaches how to use technology in new ways that expand our ways of learning. It’s interesting to learn what all you can do on a computer especially to help with learning, but New Tech has some defects, too. With New Tech you need to have students that are willing to work and grouped with students their own level. You also need teachers that are willing to step in when a dispute or disagreement occurs within a group of students.

As I mentioned above, I’ve had trouble with the other students and a little with some teachers. The students would never try to work or even try to understand the project and the teachers just threw it to the side. Unlike most of the kids at a New Tech school, I’ve actually grown to be even more independent than before. I was starting to rely on others and be less “restrictive” about when to talk, but New Tech has just sent me right back to where I started in kindergarten. I talk only when absolutely needed and keep to myself about almost everything. Very few people know who I really am.

I discovered a few things about myself. One was that I’m not always a likeable person, but people need to learn to do what they are suppost to. If people would all do their work and cooperate, I would not have a problem. I also discovered that when put under too much stress I waste time freaking out instead of sorting things out by importance and taking them one at a time. A third thing that I found is that I have talents that I never noticed before. Through the projects we’ve done, I’ve had to do things that I never knew I was good at.

One accomplishment that I’m really proud of would have to be in Band class. This year I finally learned to play my C major scale in three octaves. This is really good because it is part of an audition to get into a music program in college. I also achieved a Gold ranking at a Group II piece of music in the ISSMA Contest that took place at Crown Point HS this year. Because of these accomplishments I think readers should notice the musical aspects of this portfolio. I love to see my progress in Band. I’m proud of all the assignments I’ve finished because I can say I have worked hard and learned a lot of things that will help me for the next three years as a New Tech student.

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Thanks,
Katelyn I. Gaskey

My Freshman Portfolio