Standard 4 (1)

The teacher models profesional and ethical standards.

I work hard to relate to parents, staff, and others in a professional and ethical manner. Through my website and my class technology projects I model the ethical use of technology to reflect favorably on the school division (http://www.mykindergartenfriends.com/).

I am also very diligent about respecting confidentiality with my students and parents. I work hard to resolve classroom and school concerns and problems in a constructive manner which includes calling parents immediately when a concern arises. I also work very closely with my grade level to collaboratively plan on all lessons, student assignments, and grades.

Standard 4 (2)

Creating and displaying a poster to thank our school volunteers.


A big thank you poster for our school nurses!

The teacher works in a collegial and collaborative manner with peers, school personnel, and the school community to promote and support the mission and goals of the school division.

I collaborate with my grade level for all weekly lessons, special holiday centers, and grades.

I helped my grade level become familiar with the "Daily Five" and helped my grade level learn how to create Photostory DVDs for their classes for the end of the year.

I have also helped Leslie Law make her lessons smartboard compatible. I have also given my grade level insight into how blogger can be utilized to communicate classroom activities. Through my use of twitter, I have shared with several teachers on different grade levels how twitter can be used in the classroom.

Develops and enhances productive working relationships with staff.

For teacher appreciation week my students created a voicethread to celebrate the teachers that work with our class.

I have had several conferences with parents where I include the guidance counselor, the reading resource teacher, or the gifted resource teacher depending on the strengths and weaknesses of the student. I also work hard to make my classroom open for others to come and observe, including guests of the principal. I also work hard to maintain professional positive relationships with our assistants. I also seek out advice and communciate advice from the resource teachers to my parents. For examples, please see these links below:
http://www.mykindergartenfriends.blogspot.com/2010/05/another-kindergarten-blog.html

http://www.mykindergartenfriends.blogspot.com/2010/04/curious-about-gifted-lessons.html

I also had Debbie Thomas from the Virginia Beach Education Foundation visit our class with a film crew to showcase how our grant money was used to purchase a subscription to Bookflix.

Takes initiative and makes a positive contribution to the overall climate of school and division. I work hard to maintain a positive attitude and be supportive of all my colleagues and team members. Our class recognizes all special weeks for staff members, sends monthly seasonal cards to colleagues and staff, and sends birthday cards to all employess of JBD.A big thank you to our secretaries!

Explores, disseminates, and applies current resources that enhance knowledge of educational issues, trends, and practices. Collaborates with colleagues to improve and enhance instructional knowledge and skills.

I researched how to implement the class oragnization with "Daily Five" and also worked with my collagues to establish word study in all of our kindergarten classes. Together my grade level is creating materials and lessons to make our "small group instruction time" as effective as possible. I also continue to research different ways parents can help their child learn to read and post these suggestions and ideas on my website. For examples please see this link http://www.mykindergartenfriends.blogspot.com/search/label/reading

Standard 4 (3)

The teacher takes responsibility for and participates in meaningful and continous professional development that promotes student learning.

In the past two years I have completed four graduate level courses in Gifted education from James Madison University and am scheduled to receive my gifted endorsement in May 2012. I have maintained a 4.0 for all of these courses. For a description of classes I have taken and the program that I am completing, please click here.

I have also completed all my PDP points each year I have worked in the school system.

In addition, I attended the Smart Beginnings Seminar on how to ease the transition from preschool to kindergarten which was a collaborative effort with VBCPS, smart beginnings, and Early Discoveries.

Standard 4 (4)

The teacher demonstrates a commitment to the school community and the teaching profession.

Continues to and supports the development of the profession.
I continue to share educational ideas in the educational web community through my website and my group with Tech Trek: The Next Generation. I also communicate different events that are happening in our class through twitter. I attended the Building Futures Grant Celebration with my colleagues.

Serves on school, division, regional, state, and/or national committees/professional organizations.
In 2010-2011 school year, I attended:
Smart Beginnings Saturday seminar on how to successfully transition students from preschool to kindergarten. This forum was a partnership between Early Discoveries, Virginia Beach Public Schools, and Smart Beginnings.
I helped organize and attended JBD Math night (2011) and Literaracy Night (2011).

In 2011-2012 school year, I helped organize and attended:
JBD Reading Night (2011)
Kindergarten and First Grade Science Night (2011).
I was also a team leader for JBD's Destination Imagination Team- Rising Stars

In the 2011-2012 school year I also attended:
Dr. Adolf Brown on school bullying (2011),
JBD Science Fair (2012)
JBD Shamrock Run (2012)