CSTP Growth Goal:
My growth goal, will be to better my understanding of the independent study model of schooling, so that I
can better help my students, and their families while learning in that environment. I'll do this by using technology
to help students to be engaged in learning content, and in setting personal and professional goals that will not only
help them in school, but also outside of school. Furthermore, I will also need to look at how to take care of myself
so that I am able to keep up with the needs of my students and their families.
CSTP Compare and Contrast:
Upon reviewing my initial assessment in comparison to my final one, I noticed that it was the same or a bit regressed.
The reason for this I believe, is that my prior experience had been based on substitute teaching and trying to integrate practices into a
class whenever I got a long term sub role, or if the kids were familiar with me at a site, or if I was teaching within a subject I felt safe in
such as the Social Sciences. For the role that I assumed this year, I had to adapt many of the strategies to my situation as opportunity
presented itself because I was not strictly in the classroom all the time. As such, when I re-took the assessment I could not say that I was
doing all of these practices. Another adaptation I had to make was one to the digital space more, and thinking about what that means
for myself and my students needs. I believe this also is why my assessment of myself regressed or stayed the same from my initial
assessment, because I had to change myself to be in line with a fully online reality.
One thing that I realized is that being in person with students is not only beneficial for them, but it is also beneficial for instructors as
well. When you are online there is often a gap between when instruction is issued, when a problem arises or confusion, and then when
you can take a measure to fix it. Whereas if you are in a classroom you can correct your course or teaching almost immediately. Another
problem is the nature of technology, and when it does not work as intended. I believe all of these things impacted my assessment of
myself and why it regressed in some areas or stayed the same. As I become more familiar with being online, I am sure my assessment
will shift again.
Strengths and Growth:
A strength that I have seen shine through during this time is my ability to adapt quickly. While I became more critical of myself I
noticed that at no time was I ever really uncomfortable. The kids had a job to do and so did I. In my case my adaptability wasn't any
different than normal. I was still accessible to my kids and their families, I always had work to do for them and things to grade as work
was coming in. I believe my ability to adapt quickly made it easier for me to keep my students working without much down time.
Areas that I could continue to work on would be, repetition and familiarity with technology being used so that my response time
would be quicker when prompted. Also, another place for continuous growth would be to keep pace with technology as it progresses.
I think that this will be a continual growth opportunity for educators because technology is going to keep progressing as sure as the
human race does.
Change and Things that Work
I learned to be more flexible especially because given this year of 2020, the format for teaching went from partially online and
traditional classroom format to a complete online format. The good part is that I was already partially accustomed to this format and
learning to be a bit more flexible helped me out greatly, as I believed I stayed far more grounded due to just having the attitude of taking
what I get and working with it. While we can't change what gets given to us, or dropped off in our lap, we can change our attitude and
control how we conduct ourselves when it does get dropped off on us, that stoic mindset helped me.
Finally, the thing that I am most happy with is, I was able to create something worthwhile in my goal forms for kids and parents to use
during meetings. The forms helped build rapport early on and I was able to keep in contact with my kids and their families, even online
and still pursue their learning and professional goals because of the forms format that they were familiar with. Furthermore I believe
that if I had not made myself available to my kids early on they might have had some reluctance in reaching out to me as much as they
have during quarantine. Things to remember that help, remaining flexible, create things that help your students and their families to
create dialogue amongst themselves. Try to not appear as an authoritarian figure. Kids should own their learning and the parents should
be there to help that learning process. That involvement can make a tremendous difference.