Educational Philosophy
I want to be the voice in the back my student’s minds, pushing them to further extents. I want to be a positive influence on my students, encouraging them to have hope and determination within their own lives. These small aspects promoted in my classroom everyday will allow students to be devoted to working hard and pursuing excellence. They will be proud of themselves, and never sell themselves short. In the competitive society that we live in today, education is one of the prime reasons that people suffer. Through experiencing a high work ethic, students will see how this carries over to their subsequent classes, and life, only to help them know what ‘working hard’ means. I want to help my students create a positive community among one another, and most importantly connect what they learn in the classroom to their everyday situations.
I support the hands-on approach to teaching; this student-centered atmosphere is one that allows students to be fully engaged together. Student-centered lessons will be differentiated, and allow students to collaborate ideas together. Not only are they learning with one another, and about one another, but also they are helping me to continue to learn. In different experiences I have had in a variety of schools, having students get excited about what they are doing, allows them to be motivated. I strive to have my students participate, and work hard. The energy that this radiates allows me, as their teacher to stay motivated and in love with the passion to teach.
"One of my main motives as a teacher is to have my students work together cohesively. They will all work together, to reach a coommon goal. If they can develop ideas from discussing various topics together, they can build on what they already know, and develop relationships among one another at the same time. Stronger relationships create a developed classroom community- and that is irreplaceable."
Raising Cane Awards
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Midterm Evaluation from Cooperating Teacher 1
Anna's strengths, as a student teacher, are innumerable. Her dedication to our school and students goes above and beyond, and this was something she demonstrated before her student teaching even officially began. Volunteering to come to RES a week early, allowed Anna to participate in our pre-service week, where she received all the training our new/first year teachers receive before entering the classroom. She was exposed to the ins and outs of what it is like to begin a teaching career in a public school. I commend her to for realizing the importance of this opportunity, and for her willingness to rearrange plans to make this happen.
Anna is developing as an instructional strategist, as she continues to work on learning how to create a students centered syllabus which evolves around student focused objectives. Anna was willing to jump right in and tackle this new way of lesson planning, giving her a foundation in being a 21st century educator, who keeps up with implementing new, best practices in our field.
Themed lessons are a hallmark of my classroom, The Greene Ring Learning Circus. Anna has assisted with the planning and implementation of 3 such lessons, and this coming week will have the opportunity to teach her own and receive feedback from Dr. Heaton and myself. A reflection on this formal evaluation will be included in Anna's final evaluation.
Anna has shared her talents in capacities outside of the classroom. She helped to create our "Bloom's Garden" themed hallway for Open House, and most recently created a bulletin board for students to reflect on having a positive mindset. (Likewise, she helped me create out interactive social media bulletin boards in the classroom.) Anna attends faculty meetings which include professional development breakout sessions, planning meetings with the 5th grade team, and is serving as a member of our Language Arts Vertical Team during her time at RES. She participates and supports our PBIS program by writing Positive Referrals for her students and Eagle Notes for her colleagues. Anna wrote an article for our team newsletter, The Take 5!, introducing herself to families and students. She attended Open House and has an excellent approach with families.
Anna has been exposed to several types of formal assessment and data collection during the first few weeks of school. She observed word recognition assessments, Ganske spelling assessments, QRI reading assessments, and Students Growth Assessments (Literacy) using Interactive Achievement. Anna learned the purpose and criteria for each assessment, and got to practice administering tests to students, as well. In addition, Anna has included formal and informal student assessments in her plans. Anna has a strength for taking anecdotal notes to assess and meet individual student needs.
At Ruckersville Elementary, we are all constantly and consistently growing in our craft. Pointing out areas of growth is simply not enough in our school -we challenge each other and ourselves to DO something to foster learning and growth in areas where we have not met our greatest potential. While Anna is excelling at her student teaching, and visitors to our room often comment that she is a "natural teacher", I offer her the following challenges:
1. Make 5 Positive Phone Calls Home:
This can be nerve-wrecking for even the most seasoned teacher, but the more we do it, the greater the benefits for our students and ourselves. This is not an area of weakness for Anna, just something we have not discussed yet due to our busy schedule. Anna, I encourage you to think of 5 students who may other wise get over-looked (those students who "hide" or are always being good), and practice making that phone call home. You will feel as great as the parents! :)
2. Video Record Your Read Aloud:
Video recording lessons is a common practice of Master teachers. As a Literacy teacher, reading aloud, and thinking aloud as you do so, is one of the hardest skills to perfect, and often dismissed by many as insignificant, when it is crucial. It models for children all the best elements and necessary skills of reading. I encourage you to try this and reflect on your own read aloud practice from the vantage point of one of your students.
3. Get The Administrator Perspective:
I know Anna has spoken to Dr. Heaton about working on her resume, cover letter, e-portfolio, and interviewing skills. This is something Dr. Heaton is willing to take the time to do with Anna, and his feedback is invaluable. I encourage you to make an appointment to meet, where you allow time for implementation and a follow up meeting to review suggestions, before you leave RES.
I have been very impressed with many aspects of Anna's student teaching, especially her willingness and ability to implement any feedback given to her. I have been happy to see her reflect on her own practice, and make necessary changes on the spot as needed. She has accepted challenges given to her by me as well as administration. I know Anna will continue to grow during the second half of her student teaching. She has truly become a part of our classroom and school community, and her absence after her placement ends will be felt.
Submitted by Lyndsay Ealey
Ruckersville Elementary School
5th Grade
Midterm Evaluation from Cooperating Teacher 2
Miss Panacek shows lots of enthusiasm for teaching, offers meaningful planned out lessons and most of all seems to enjoy working with the children. She seeks advice when needed and demonstrates professionalism in all that she does. I appreciate her willingness to learn new things and use the latest technology tools for instruction (Ipads and Ipods-- OR codes and familiarize herself with our new 3-D printer). Her love for teaching is obvious and her dedication to children most sincere. Great job Miss Panacek!
Kam Shull
Peak View Elementary School
1st Grade
Excerpt of Journal Entry
This past week at Peak View Elementary was a great chance for me to experience many extra teacher requirements. On Monday, my teacher asked me to take part in parent-teacher conferences. It was good for me to see what conferences look like in a classroom setting, and what I need to inform parents of as a teacher. I learned so many new things about what to look for in student behavior, academics and other extra personality traits their child has. Also, Kam helped showed me how to inform parents about problems that arise with their child in a positive manner. This was all very helpful.
Tuesday was also a great experience. It was a teacher in-service day at East Rockingham High School, and a chance for me to see what this looks like for Rockingham County. The teachers had signed up for various sessions to attend. There were many different sessions to choose from throughout the day. As I followed my teacher around, we attended meetings with the superintendent, Interactive Smart Board lessons, and having a round table talk about Rockingham County Public Schools with other board members. Also, we took a bus tour around Rockingham county and learned local history. It was fun to hangout with Kam for the day, and meet more of her colleagues.
Later in the week, I had my first formal observations, which went very well. The students loved to sort the leaves and recognize different characteristics of each one. One day during literacy, I also had a chance to make apple pizzas with the students. They learned all about what a recipe are, the different parts of an apple, and were introduced to fractions. It was a fun, and delicious activity.
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