Portfolio of Jan Abernethy
Reflecting on Teaching
4a
This section contains a reflection and summary of the 2014/2015 school year. It hits most of the highlights of the year and also covers some of my regrets. This is the page I will come back to in the future when I want to improve my teaching or when I want to look back on something I may have done right. I am proud of this part of my portfolio because it is raw with emotion and it is real. It comes from the heart and is in the true spirt of the meaning of "reflecting on teaching."
DOMAIN FOUR: PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
4e
Growing and Developing Professionally
Whenever I am given the opportunity, I attend workshops, webinars, and online chats to help improve my craft. Those that I gather certificates for are represented on this page.
Participating in a Professional Community
4d
I use social media, free conferences and online webinars to participate in a professional community and get free ideas and help with providing the education my students deserve.
Communicating with Families
4c
There were a variety of opportunities for familiies to join in the festivities of our class. In addition to the typical classroom parties and open house, we had other fabulous events in and out of the classroom. Enjoy pictures from these events. Also included in this section are formal and informal means of communication to families about what is going on in our classroom.
Maintaining Accurate Records
4b
I maintain accurate records on my students through Power School which is an online gradebook. Grades are up-to-date weekly and made available as a hardcopy to students every Monday. I also provide students with a copy of any assignments they may owe. These records are stapled into students assignment books for parents who don't have internet. For parents who do have internet, they have complete access to student's assignments, grades on each assignment and grades for each subject. In addition, I categorize assignments, so if a student is deficit in a particular skill or type of assignment it is evident. Other programs I use to keep accurate records are provided in this section.
Showing Professionalism
4f
This year I provided professional development for a group of my colleagues using a program developed by Discovery Education called the Discovery Ambassador Program. The program was very successful and provided an opportunity for me to get to know some of my colleagues a lot better. Later in the year, I was asked to present to the entire student body what makes a good science fair project. I was proud to be able share my "Seven Steps to a Good Science Fair" project to the entire school, which included projects from students over a fifteen year period of science fairs at East Elementary.
