Practicum e-Portfolio
Fostering
Relationships
TQS 1
A teacher builds positive and productive relationships with students, parents/guardians, peers and others in the school and local community to support student learning.
Mistakes Make Us Human
During my teaching practicum, I fostered positive relationships with students by creating a supportive and inclusive classroom environment. I emphasized that making mistakes is a natural part of learning and that mistakes are not only okay, but they make us human. This helped students feel safe to take academic risks and lead with curiosity. I also emphasized that I am learning too, I don't know all the answers to everything and sometimes we all say "I don't know, let's brainstorm and google it!" As a result, students were more engaged, confident, and willing to participate in classroom discussions.
Light Up Crazy
In the early days of my placement I prioritized getting to know these kids and let them know that I was excited to see them everyday. As mentioned in Jody Carrington’s Kids These Days, I wanted to see these students light up, which I did by lighting up myself when they'd enter the space or intentionally noticing and affirming students’ strengths. I was aiming to help them feel seen, valued, and connected within the classroom community. This didn't stop at the door of my assigned classrooms, I interacted with students in the halls and spreading across the K-6 grades to immerse myself in the community and support students even if I was never directly in their classroom.
Kaelyn's greatest strengths include her adaptability and her strong ability to build meaningful connections with students. Students clearly sense that she cares about them, which is evident in her teaching and interactions.
​
- Christina McLellan, Stirling School Teacher Associate
