ARTIFACT EVIDENCE AND REFLECTION

WTS #6
ARTIFACT DESCRIPTION:
APWH Review PPT; Email Excerpts/Examples; Progress Notes
The artifacts presented here include a PowerPoint Presentation that I created
and delivered to my Advanced Placement World History class several years
ago, a Progress Report delivered to a student and parents regarding IEP goal
and a couple email excerpts that demonstrate my ability to communicate
effectively with parents and colleagues in my capacity as a teacher. The
PowerPoint was a presentation that included a semester review in
preparation for finals week. It was a fairly inclusive and in depth review of a
significant amount of content. The Progress Report is indicative of quarterly
progress reports created and delivered to parents as part of the IEP process
and updates made on goal and objectives progress made over the IEP year.
The email examples illustrate my ability to effectively communicate with
parents through electronic media regarding school announcements and other
regularly communication. I have also included an email between myself and
a colleague that shows collaboration on creating, modifying and finalizing
progress notes for a student on my caseload that received speech and
language services during the school year.
ALIGNMENTS:
WI DPI Teacher Standards
Standard Six Communication
Teachers communicate well.
The teacher uses effective verbal and nonverbal communication techniques
as well as instructional media and technology to foster active inquiry,
collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.
These artifacts align with Standard Six insofar as they show that I can share
information and communicate effectively via electronic media and through
email and shared documents. Media presentations are absolutely imperative
to delivering clear and concise information to students in the classroom.
Communicating with parents and colleagues is made easier through the
efficient use of electronic mail and documents. More and more the use of
shared electronic documents by teachers, students and parents has become
the norm in education. Making effective use of these resources is
fundamental to being successful in communicating as an educator.
UWP School of Education Knowledge, Skill and Disposition Statement

ARTIFACT EVIDENCE AND REFLECTION

WTS #6
KSD 3.a. COMMUNICATES CLEARLY AND ACCURATELY
The candidates spoken and written language are correct, expressive and
clear, with well-chosen vocabulary that enriches teaching and communicates
thoughtfully, responsively, and effectively for a wide range of student
understanding and encourages appropriate student language development.

KSD 4.c. COMMUNICATES WITH FAMILIES

The candidate is able to provide frequent, sensitive and appropriate
information to parents and students about students positive and negative
progress within the instructional program and successfully engages families
in the educational process when appropriate.
My artifacts illustrate that I possess good communication skills. I have
included an exemplary PowerPoint presentation that is full of essential
information that was delivered to my APWH students. I have also included
examples of my communications with parents and colleagues that
demonstrate that I have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
Clear and concise information is necessary and important as a foundation of
a solid relationship between teachers and parents. Furthermore, the Progress
Notes example that I have included is very important in the overall process
of showing growth and areas of need insofar as the implementation of a
students IEP is concerned. These communications need to be concise, yet
accessible to all parents so that a clear understanding of progress and
continued efforts to meet goals are communicated effectively.
REFLECTIONS AND IMPACT ON PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
What I learned about teaching I have learned that the most important thing
to consider when communicating as a teacher is to be concise and
organized. Personally, I tend to ramble when I speak and write. This can
present issues when your desire is to absolutely clear or working with
students to be sure that they are getting the crux of matters or topics. As I
have worked on media presentations more recently, I have focused on
bulleted thoughts and am sure to take time to explain and answer questions
as I present to be sure that all are with me. Simply throwing text on the
screen doesnt do the trick. In teaching, it is fundamentally important to
make contact regularly with families.
What I learned about myself as an educator As I alluded to above, it
became clear to me years ago that I can ramble and often can speak way to

ARTIFACT EVIDENCE AND REFLECTION

WTS #6
fast leaving students in the dust. A good friend pointed out my tempo in
speaking to me as problematic. She was a sign language interpreter and
struggled to simply stay up with my pace. I have learned to slow down and
check for understanding regularly. Being a clanging gong that goes on and
never takes a break is ineffective as a teaching style or plan. I have also
come to appreciate the value in making regular contact with parents early
on. Creating this expectation and habit with parents goes a long way to
avoiding misunderstanding and feelings of inaccessibility. The one thing I
have come to appreciate as well is the effect of being accessible to the
families of my students.