Section 6: Script

Hi there my name is Sheena Glousher and today I will be walking you through my
Weebly Website in addition to answering very important questions regarding the
interviewing process for the M.S. Ed Elementary program at Medaille College.

Here is the welcome page for a grade 1 classroom.

Here I am introducing myself to my parents and students through a Voki introduction.

In addition I have also added a school event for a Spring Fun Fair and a survey, so that
I can get to know both my students and my parents a little bit better.

As you can see, I have various categories on my website. I have my portfolio, cyber
safety where I introduce cyber safety to both students and parents.

Classroom rules; a very fun and engaging way where everyone can share their input on
what they feel is important to have as rules for our class and add their ideas and
thoughts on a Padlet.

I have activities and lesson that I will go into further detail in just a moment.

Student resources where students can click on each section for additional resources
and fun academic websites.

As well I also have resources for both parents and guardians in a very similar fashion.
Virtual field trips and as well as my contact information.

So looking at the portfolio, I have created a PowerPoint to explain in further detail the
important questions that I will be answering today.

So I’m going to begin with my background experience.

I have always had a passion to help others and enjoyed interacting with children

I enrolled at the University of Western Ontario where my studies focused on sociology

and psychology.

During University my courses focused on childhood development and brain

development. As well, I was very interested in the stages of childhood development and
developmental disabilities.

I completed University with an honours double major degree in psychology and

sociology.

In second year of University I knew I wanted to have a career where I could work with
children and as a result, I applied for a job at a before and after school program

This is where my interest in working with children flourished. This is when I knew I
wanted to pursue a career where I could work with children; specifically children with
exceptionalities.

I had worked as a child care assistant (CCA) and as a supervisor for two separate
before and after school programs. During this time, I was able to program plan for
children age’s six to 12 and gain one-on-one experience with children with
exceptionalities.

After five years working for the before and after school program I wanted to further
develop my skills and knowledge in addition to furthering my career and experience with
children with exceptionalities so I applied to a local district school board where I
received a position as an educational assistant.
career as an educational assistant, I have had the privilege to have worked with many
children with varying exceptionalities

Also, I have gained so much knowledge and experienced so many opportunities that
further developed my skills in program planning for a variety of students with various
exceptionalities in addition to providing students with support both academically and
socially.

It is through my experience as an educational assistant that I knew I wanted to become

a teacher.

I have learned through my past work experience that although I love to work with
children with exceptionalities I would also love to have my own classroom where I can
develop the minds of all children and provide a learning experience that is enriching and
promotes equity throughout the classroom.

What makes me an excellent teacher? Well, I have learned that it is important to

understand how to create learning segments and lesson plans that are all-inclusive,
interactive, and engaging. Through this past year, I have learned how to create lesson
plans that meet the required common core learning standards specific to grade level, in
addition to how to create a lesson plan that promotes equity and incorporates more than
one school subject.
I have learned the importance of pre-program planning and creating detailed lesson

plans in a manner that is thorough and takes into consideration the needs, learning

styles and levels, and exceptionalities of all students.

I have also learned that understanding how to implement classroom management is

critical in the development of a learning environment that is open and respectful to all

individuals involved and is crucial in order to enrich your students’ learning experience.

Classroom management is very important in order to have a successful class because it

provides students and educators with a clear outline of classroom expectations. When a

classroom works collaboratively to create quality expectations and standards for all

involved, students are provided with a safe, open, and respectful learning environment.

I have gained so much insight into the importance of implementing technology

throughout the classroom in addition to developing the skills necessary to integrate

technology successfully into my classroom. Now that I know how to use technology

throughout my lesson planning, I am able to implement my creativity and love of the arts

through the use of technology in addition to utilizing and exposing my future students to

a number of useful technology resources that promote equity throughout the classroom

and enrich the learning experience for all students.

And lastly, I have learned that Culturally Responsive Teaching is a critical component in

becoming a successful educator and a strength I have developed as a teacher

candidate. I have learned the importance of equity within the classroom and how to

create and successfully implement a learning environment that is all-inclusive and

engaging. I have learned the importance of getting to know and understand your

student’s on a deeper level in addition to the importance of creating relationships with

students, their peers, and colleagues in order to provide students with learning

experience that are equitable and deserving of all children.

All students regardless of sexual orientation, gender, religious beliefs, background,

learning styles and levels, and exceptionalities will find my classroom to be a

welcoming, safe, and open learning environment where all learners are appreciated and

will attain an enriching learning experience in which all individuals deserve.

The integration of literacy and science: a lesson plan for grade 1.

On my weebly website I have provided an example of a grade 1 lesson that integrates

both literacy and science together and promotes the utilization of technology in order to

encourage student-engagement and motivation.

In order to trigger my students’ background knowledge, as a whole group I conducted

shared reading where we explored the book Animals: Butterflies by Nick Rebman. By

reading the book and learning about my student’s previous experiences, background

knowledge, and personal interests in nature and insects I created a lesson plan that

interested my students and met specific learning standards.

Also, throughout my lesson I was able to integrate science for we discussed, practice,

and learned about the life cycle of a butterfly. By providing students with shared

reading, discussions and the exploration of the butterfly life cycle through videos

students were motivated to apply their comprehension of butterflies and their life cycle

through activities and videos that were engaging for all learning styles and levels.

As a result, the lesson was successful in motivating and maintaining student

engagement throughout the lesson, discussions, and activities. The lesson contained a

variety of learning techniques that catered to the individual learning styles and levels of

all students.

As we continue, I will discuss the current trends in education.

As this past year has taught me, education is ever changing and technology

increasingly plays an important role throughout the educational system.

As an educator I will emerge technology into the curriculum. This demonstrates that we

as educators are acknowledging the importance of teaching students how to use

technology in order to strengthen their knowledge and skills in accordance with their

own abilities and learning style(s).

Another key component of the current trends in education is the importance of

mathematics and literacy throughout the elementary curriculum.

Both play a major role throughout our school board and district.

By implementing technology, as educator we are able to further engage and motivate

students in both math and literacy in a manner that will benefit all students, for

technology supports various accommodations, learning styles and levels.

So, why should you hire me? Well,

As a promising teacher candidate, I should be hired in replace of other applicants you

have interviewed for the following reasons:

Professional development and collaboration, adaptability and flexibility, lesson Planning,

instructing, and assessment, the integration of technology, as well as reasons

surrounding DASA and CRT.

As an educational assistant and future educator, I recognize the importance of

participating in professional development throughout my career. By doing so, I am

providing myself with up-to-date knowledge and tools that will not only benefit my own

learning and understanding, but also the education of my students. In addition, I

understand the importance of professional collaboration and the positive impacts it has

on students for when we collaborate not only with our co-workers, but with

administrators, parents, and people within our society, as educators we can provide our

students with an enriching, well-rounded learning experience.

Due to previous work experience, I understand the necessity in adapting lesson plans

and activities in accordance to meet the needs of students. Furthermore, I understand

that being flexible plays a large part in the role as an educator, for in my past eight

years of work experience with young students I have further developed these skills in

order to successfully meet the needs of all students regardless of exceptionalities.

Through my work experience, I have had the privilege to lesson plan and instruct

students one-on-one in a manner that provides student’s with the necessary

accommodations to receive a quality educational experience. Furthermore, as a

teaching candidate in the M.S. Ed. Elementary program, I have further developed my

comprehension and skills so that I can implement quality lesson plans, instruction, and

assessment in a manner that meets the needs of all students regardless of background

knowledge, learning styles and levels of all students.

As a teacher candidate and future educator, I understand the importance of integrating

technology throughout my curriculum. Not only does technology support varying

learning styles and levels, but it also opens so many doors for students both socially

and academically. In addition, technology is constantly changing and updating to the

meet the needs of society. The M.S. Ed. Elementary program has prepared me by

developing my skills and providing me with the tools I need so that I can widen the

learning experience for all students across all subjects.

Through the M.S. Ed. Elementary program I have received certification and training in

The Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) and deepened my skills and knowledge in the

implementation and understanding of Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT). As a

result, I understand as an educator that it is my duty to educate myself, co-workers, and

future students in the prevention and awareness of bullying, harassment, and

discrimination prevention by implementing interventions throughout schools and the

community as an educator. In addition, I have learned how to implement my training

through the classroom and recognize my own biases and connect what I have learned

through my DASA Certification and implement culturally responsive teaching throughout

the classroom so that all students have the opportunity to learn in an open and safe

enriching learning environment regardless of background knowledge and experiences,

sexual orientation, religious beliefs, learning styles and levels, and exceptionalities.

Thank you for your time, and I hope you have a good day.