Bryan Van Pelt's bportfolio

Standard 8 Standard 8 states teacher leaders “present the professional practice for the review of colleagues”. To me, this standard represents the spirit of not only what it means to work in a healthy teaching environment but what this Masters program is all about.   Having the courage to place yourself in the spotlight for others to critique and evaluate is a key component in both of these arenas.   For the success in this program we had to constantly put our ideas out for others to assess.   Likewise in a school setting, we are always sharing our thoughts, strategies, and teaching with others.   It might seem difficult and vulnerable, but the act of presenting professional practice for review is how all parties involved become stronger educators.   Reflection:             My previously held beliefs in relation to this standard were mixed.   On one hand, I loved the idea of...

Standard 4 states teacher leaders “engage in analysis of teaching and collaborative practices”. Though this standard can be applied to many courses in the Teacher Leadership degree program, the main course of focus was “Accomplished Teaching”.   In this course I engaged in a multitude of activities and assignments in which I grew as both a reflective and collaborative educator.             At the beginning of this course my thoughts regarding accomplished teaching were shallow and vague.   Are students engaged? Does the teacher possess the appropriate skill set?   Is the classroom managed?   These were the big picture ideas that came to mind prior to this course. After many readings, discussion board posts, and face-to-face interactions my definition changed in many ways.   Some thoughts remain intact but many ideas and principles have changed into something deeper, pointed and more meaningful....