TEACHING PORTFOLIO

Spring, 2011

Alexandra Kepler

Teaching PhilosophyI view teaching as the chance to share one’s love of learning with

students in order to encourage a life-long interest in intellectual growth. Students should view school as a place where they can use their individual talents to achieve challenging and empowering goals. Teachers must also convey the importance of this learning environment by remaining consistent, equitable, and inspired. Effective and positive classroom management is the foundation that makes the flourishing of academic growth and student confidence possible. While content knowledge is extremely valuable, exceptional leadership skills, an optimistic disposition, and a great appreciation for learning and teaching most accurately determine the level of success, engagement, and fun students and teachers experience together.

Credentials & Professional Materials

► Undergraduate Transcript from The College of William and Mary

► Graduate Transcripts from James Madison and Drexel Universities

► Praxis Exam Scores► VCLA Score► Child Abuse and Neglect Certificate of Course Completion► Letter of Recommendation► See Appendix A

Classroom Management

► Maintaining interest involves shared passions► Teachers and students expressing ideas freely and confidently is critical to confidence and overall

well-being► Independence and responsibility maximized with appropriate rehearsing and training► High expectations determine effort levels► Classroom organization as a tool to support learning and communication► Cooperation is key to engagement► Click on the attached link to view a town hall meeting that I organized as a culminating project for

our air pollution unit. The students really enjoyed this simulation and I enjoyed watching them incorporate learning from the previous four days in class. The password is “ais” http://vimeo.com/21103918

•Student-centered learning environment•Student work is visible•Confident expression of ideas integral to the generation of original thought•Utilizing class websites helps manage paper management leading to a tidy and efficient classroom•Strategic placement of desks permits easy navigation of classroom and multiple assessment opportunities•Encouraging students to feel accountable for their learning and each other adds to their engagement and commitment

Classroom Environment

Lesson Planning

• Backward design focuses on deep and meaningful understandings as the goal of each lesson

• Technology increases engagement and targets student interests• Interdisciplinary instruction incorporates the interests of many students

simultaneously and facilitates active debate• Prompting students to expand upon their ideas and support their thinking

encourages accountability and deep thinking• Click the link below to view a tutorial I created to help explain latitude and

longitude• http://www.screencast.com/users/Eudoxia/folders/Jing/media/9458fa1e-aea2-48b

5-b421-9eb42a783e3e

Assessment Goals► Completing assessments informs teachers and instructs students► Examples of formative assessments I implemented include: classroom

observations, performance tasks, and short writes► Summative assessments I implemented include: unit tests, portfolios,

presentations, standardized tests► Involving students in the creation of rubrics encourages accountability ► Video recording student performances shared learning experiences with parents and

peers► Informed teachers effectively plan lessons to meet individual and collective needs

► Maximizing time for students to discuss their thoughts and discovery is invaluable► Minimizing time spent lecturing promotes lasting understandings and the retention of

knowledge► Careful planning, effective management, and a great sense of humor are important for creating a

positive learning environment► Getting to know students as individuals helps to customize instruction and benefits students of

all abilities and learning styles► “Chunking” objectives ensures ample time is allotted for discussion and prevents

overstimulation► Moving around the classroom while instructing maintains engagement of the entire class

Instructional Snapshot

MEMBERSHIPS AND ORGANIZATIONS:

. Golden Key International Honor Society

Professional PhilosophyI believe that teachers who are students are better able to empathize with the learning process. I plan on learning as much as I can from my students, via professional development opportunities, and by specializing in my interests in order to model the joy and excitement of surpassing one’s personal expectations.

Appendix A

Drexel Transcript

Graduate School Transcript from James Madison University

Undergraduate Transcript from The College of William and Mary

Praxis I Scores

VCLA Test Results

Child Abuse and Neglect Certificate of Completion

Letter of Recommendation

Thank you for viewing