During my teaching licensure program, I have been able to gain valuable knowledge that has trained me in the various aspects of teaching. Through the different academic modules of the program, I have obtained essential information to become an effective teacher. It has been an intense semester where I have researched the latest trends in education and innovative teaching techniques. I have learned about the active role technology is now playing in public schools and the importance of strategically selecting resources that support student learning. I have also been able to reflect on the significance of collaboration with other teachers to facilitate my work and to share and implement best teaching practices and experiences. Also, during this time I have put a strong focus on sharpening my skills in lesson planning so that I design classes in a way that students can create connections to the content and to class activities, perform authentic assessments and have meaningful learning experiences. Additionally, I reviewed the characteristics I need to implement in my classroom to have an environment where students feel safe and can flourish and that allows me to have easy access to them.

Even though I first experienced teaching over a decade ago, the educational setting has changed in many ways and new teaching approaches are necessary. This program has helped me become knowledgeable of new challenges, new approaches and instructional strategies such as using visible thinking routines, interactive online tools, choice boards and various performance-based tasks that can help in providing differentiated instruction that appeals to students’ learning preferences. Throughout this teaching training program, I was able to define my teaching philosophy and my classroom management plan. I also read and reviewed a variety of teacher training resources to understand learning principles and give careful attention to student engagement strategies. Two particular resources that I found especially helpful for me to develop great teaching skills were the books Teach Like A Champion by Doug Lemov and the TELL Project website. Both of these are incredible aids that I intend to use in my own practice. The first one because it has powerful techniques and classroom management suggestions that will help me thrive in the classroom and the second one because it has given me the insights into the things that effective language teachers exhibit to building relationships with students and help them succeed in the language classroom. As I conclude this program, I am thankful to the instructors and to my peers who have played an important role in my development and toward helping me restart my career as a teacher.

- Priscilla Kevitz