1. Dylan’s Professional E-folio

2. Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Education is preparation for life.
3. Why Education is preparation for life…
4. My Beliefs on Education
5. The Importance of My Beliefs
6. Why Teach?
7. Reflecting on Why Teach?
8. Professional Five Year Plan
9. Personal Five Year Plan
10. Reflecting on my plans
11. Academic Excellence
12. Cross-cut of a tree
13. Growth of Knowledge
14. Path of Growth
15. Path of Growth explained
16. Sea turtles starting life Video
17. Levels of ability and accommodation
18. Grounded Practices
19. Fossil Identification Chart
20. Evidence of Learning
21. Plant starting life
22. Best Practices
23. Reflexive Nature
24. The power of reflection
25. Respect for Diversity, Empowerment, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice
26. Electromagnetic Spectrum
27. Celebrating Diversity
28. The turkeys of the Farmer’s Museum
29. Empowerment
30. Mother cat protecting her young
31. Social Justice
32. Concluding statement

3. Welcome to my education e-folio! My name is Dylan Snyder
and I am a pre-service teacher studying Education (B-6) with a
concentration in English at the State University of New York at
Oneonta. The purpose of my portfolio is to give you an insight of my
educational beliefs and philosophies as a pre-service educator.
Introduction

5. Education is a never-ending process in which your base
of knowledge grows as you learn and experience new things.
One can not simply prepare for life. I believe that it is important
to embrace new things and reflect upon them. Education is not
just a slew of random topics that students are taught and graded
on in school so they eventually reach college. Gaining
knowledge and understanding of the world around you is what
education is. I believe that education is life within itself as I
constantly learn new things and reflect upon them for deeper
understanding.

6. My Beliefs
Student Beliefs Teacher Beliefs
• I believe that my students learn best when
they are engaged. They will be free to risk
and will believe that there is purpose.
• I believe that every student learns
differently at different times and under
diverse conditions.
• I believe in holding my students to high
standards because every student will learn
given the right time and conditions.
• I believe that students learn best when
they have opportunities to collaborate with
others.
• It is my role as the teacher to engage my
students. I will provide a comfortable
environment in which they will feel free to
risk and will provide to them a purpose.
• It is my role to understand that all students
learn differently and accommodate the
needs of every student.
• My role as the teacher is to hold high
expectations for my students. I will
demand excellence and help them reach
their goals.
• It is my role as the teacher to provide the
opportunity for group collaboration. I will
meet with each group regularly to insure
that everyone is contributing.

7. As a teacher and a life long educator, I will have an evolving list of
beliefs and different roles to fulfill my beliefs. It is important to
understand what I believe and have evidence to back my beliefs. I
believe that I should have a living list of my educational beliefs to share
with others if I feel I must explain my philosophy. It is my role of the
teacher to have beliefs that are backed by evidence in the field so that I
can refer to them when building lesson plans and meeting with others in
my school community or with parents. It is important to me to be able to
explain myself and back my lessons up based on research and
grounded practice. The parents of my students will be able to see a
purpose for my lesson as I tie the activity to the standards using my
beliefs of education.

8. Why Teach?
When I was a young boy, probably around five or six, I decided that I wanted to become a teacher. I wanted to be the
one that the bright, young faces looked up to and adored. I distinctly remember playing “teacher” with my two younger sisters,
Jen and Amanda. These two enjoyed being my students and “learning” different things. I doubt I was a very effective teacher at
six but I remembered enjoying the task at hand. Besides this “child’s” play, my days as a Creating Rural Opportunities
Partnership peer tutor at Cooperstown Elementary School really gave me clear insight as to what I was getting myself into. It is
safe to say that I enjoyed this experience, even though it was very difficult at times.
As a peer tutor, we were to help the students complete the different tasks that their teachers assigned. Some teachers
were standard and would assign text-based worksheets or a list of spelling words for memorization. However, a select few would
assign projects that allowed their students to dive into the material. One teacher asked students to write a story using four of their
spelling words. Another teacher asked her students to bring something that symbolized their personal experience; comparing it to
a text in class. I found myself easily annoyed and bored with the endless worksheets however, I felt in charge of my learning with
the tasks that the differentiated few assigned to my students. The children that I tutored and I shared the same ideas about these
different assignments and this came as a pleasant surprise.
As an elementary educator, I will allow my students to feel in charge of their learning. They will be excited about their
homework! I decided that I want to teach because I want to make a difference in the lives of my students. Every teacher may say
that they want to “make a difference” but I will not just say it, I will do it. I can give my students the tools they need to learn at their
own pace with their own interests in mind. As a teacher, It is my job to prepare them to succeed in the big, bad world.
I know why I want to teach...I want to devote my life to exploration, creativity, and a life-long devotion to education. I
will explore the topics with my students at their level. I want to become a child again and actually enjoy the activities that I give to
my students to teach. I will teach because I believe every student should be exposed to the unknown as creatively as possible
with the interests of every student in mind. I will allow them to create their own definition of life and will provide the tools they
need to do so as an effective teacher!

9. After taking the time to ponder why I wanted to teach and
reflect upon it, I gained a better sense of myself and why
education is the profession for me. Every since I was young, I
knew that I wanted to be a teacher however, until I was asked the
question “Why Teach?” I never had a firm answer. Education is
the profession for me because I fancy an adventure into the
unknown. I now realize that I can help my students prepare for
their lives and careers in my classroom and this is a task that is
much easier said than done. I understand that there is a long
road ahead of me until I am given my own classroom in which I
teach my own lessons. I now have a more firm grip as to why I
want to teach; it will be hard work but it is worth diving into. I
have the chance to influence my student’s lives and help them
gain their own understanding of the world. This is why I want to
teach.

10. Professional Five Year Plan
Goal: Professionally, I would like to work on my time
management skills so that I am able to complete tasks
presented to me within a timely manor. I believe that if I
manage my time efficiently, I will be able to complete the task
more fully without rushing. If I complete my work before the
night it is due, I will have enough time to go back and analyze
the product in order to understand it and complete it to my best
extent.
Action Plan: In order to manage my time efficiently, I will make
a complete schedule that has due dates written in it. It will be
like an assignment book however, I will put my own personal
dates and document progress and completion before the
assignment is actually due. I believe that if I set small, personal
goals, I will be able to complete the assignment at my own
pace- well before the set due date.
I will read ASCD article “Essential Skills for New Teachers” and
write a comparison reflection on how I can use these skills in
everyday life.
Documentation: To document my improved time
management, I will create a journal that has personal due dates
and actual due dates written in it. I will adhere to these dates
and evaluate my progress. Also, I will dedicate my time to my
assignments by turning off electronics and focus on the task at
hand without any distraction until complete.
I will create an assignment log for the tasks given to me.
I will have a list of goals to remind to me the purpose of
completing the task.
Reflection: It is important to me to manage my time and plan
well in advance. If I have a plan, my schedule will be more
smooth and I will be prepared to show my growth. To grow
personally and professionally, I will create a journal not only
has due dates but goals as well. It is important to complete the
tasks at hand but more significantly, I must remember my
personal goals. Everything I do will connect to these goals in
some way and provide a step closer to completion.

11. Personal Five Year Plan
Goal: Personally, I would like to work on my public speaking
skills. In small groups I am able to easily express my opinions
or share my knowledge however, in bigger groups, I find myself
choking up in nervousness sometimes. As a teacher, it is
imperative that I feel comfortable around my students and the
greater community. I must be able to communicate accurately
and with ease. I must be able to speak to parents about their
child and I must be able to relay to administration the progress
in my classroom. By the time I graduate from college, I will be
able to speak freely with conviction to a large audience.
Action Plan: In order to work on my public speaking skills, I
will practice speaking to groups that get larger gradually. I will
present my e-folio to my base group and mentors to work on
this skill before I present to the community. I believe that if I
practice speaking to a larger audience, I will be more relaxed
when it is my time to shine.
I will take a class on public speaking and talk to other education
professionals to see what they think I should do when speaking
in the classroom and publically to the greater community.
Documentation: To document my improved public speaking
skills I will create a video in which I am speaking to a large
group. I will use this video to evaluate my progress and to
reflect on my weaknesses. As I gain insight of my weaknesses,
I can pave over them when I speak at another event using what
I have learned.
I will create another video of the next speaking event so I can
compare and contrast my techniques.
I will have evidence to show my growth as I become a better
speaker.
Reflection: It is important to become a better public speaker. If
I can speak naturally to a group of people without hesitation, I
will be able to get my point across more gracefully. To grow
individually, I will document my progress so that I have
something concrete to show that I overcame this fear
successfully. It is important to me that I am understood by
those around me. As a teacher, I must leave a lesson with
confidence so that my students feel that they have a purpose to
learn the material at hand.

12. By assessing my personal and professional strengths and
weaknesses, I gained a better sense of myself and what I need to work
on before I step into the classroom. I know that it will be hard for me to
manage time and speak publically- two things that teachers must do
everyday. However, after creating a five year plan, I now realize that if I
stick to the plan, I will be able to overcome these fears. I realize the
importance of a five year plan and I find it very beneficial to have a
guide for self growth. I believe that I must create goals and a plan for
fulfillment to help me personally and professional. I understand the
power of the plan and I must document progress as I fulfill the plan. I
will have goals, small and large, evident in my classroom. In my
classroom, we will set goals for learning and goals for life. We will
draw up an action plan and stick by it as we progress through the
year. By setting these goals, I now have a more solid understanding of
the power behind goals and setting an agenda to meet and exceed
them.

13. Academic Excellence
As a pre-service teacher striving for Academic Excellence, I strongly believe that I must hold myself to high
academic standards. I must also have rigorous professional standards and goals for the future. I understand the importance
of my personal intellectual development as I obtain expertise in my content area. I now realize how crucial it is to be
consistent with my research and remain cutting edge with my teaching strategies.
I understand the importance of applying a constructivist approach based on my knowledge of development,
principals of learning and motivation, and learning abilities. I will plan all activities based on formative and summative
assessments; meaning that I will gage their learning abilities and needs to tailor lesson plans around them. I realize the
importance of designing activities that motivate their learning. My lessons will be accepting to the diversity within my
classroom and will attend to the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical abilities of my students.
As I complete my education courses, I will have the knowledge of current, research-based education theories that I
need to become a master of multiple teaching strategies that are learner centered. I will show the research documentation for
my strategies and document activities, planning, and instruction in my classroom. Also, as a lifelong educator, I will be
accountable in my professional development within education and my content area. I will attend seminars and enroll in
courses to remain current with the evolving strategies. I will create a current resume that documents my educational progress.
In my classroom, it will be a safe and inviting environment in which my students will conduct positively, cooperate,
and remain interested. We will document our progress in group projects, portfolios and other activities. We will use electronic
technology regularly to share our skills with others in our learning environment. It will be clear through our projects that we are
thinking at or above the current New York state and national standards and I will be sure that my students are able to provide
ample evidence of their learning at their current, personal, level.

15. If I were to show a cross-cut diagram of my student, It would show many rings of growth and
knowledge. I believe that every student will learn given the right time and conditions. When they reach
this point, a new ring of knowledge will be branded into their brains. As my students grow intellectually, I
believe that they can use their prior knowledge and experience to compare and contrast with their new
learning. As the teacher, it is my job to demand higher level thinking within my classroom. My students
and I will grow together in my classroom if they reach for and strive to surpass my high expectations. I
believe that every student has a chance to succeed. My role as the teacher is to help them succeed, to
help them grow a new layer onto the preexisting.
I now realize the importance of a rigorous classroom. As the role model in the classroom, I
must always guide my students to reach higher beyond heights that they are used to. I understand that I
must push students to grow and that I must be patient with those who may not be ready to advance.
However, as I demand excellence, I will not wait for these students to reach higher levels of thinking. I
will simply provide another path to them in which they can advance freely and at their own pace.
In my classroom, I will show the growth of my students as a tree shows it’s growth with rings.
We will show growth using portfolios or time capsules. When we reach the end of the year, we will open
up our time capsules or showcase our portfolios so that the community will be able to hear our growth. I
will ask that others critique our projects using the Socratic method in which they must ask questions for
my students to answer to stimulate my student’s critical thinking and illuminate their ideas.

17. Education is a never ending road of constant growth. I believe that it is imperative to dedicate
my life to education and continue to learn every day. As an educator, I must hook my students with my
lessons. They must have a clear purpose or need to participate in the lesson. My students will have a
passion for learning when they realize it is fun. I believe that it is important that my students find learning
rewarding and they truly doing it for their own personal growth. As the teacher, it is my job to make
lessons interesting while using multiple methods of teaching. It is also my role as the teacher to attend
professional development courses and maintain a current grasp in the English content area to learn new
material and gain new cutting edge methods of teaching.
I now realize that as an individual devoted to life-long learning, I must hold myself to that. I
must remain current in the field. It is also important that I get my students excited to learn to hold their
interest and encourage further learning later in life, outside of the classroom. I understand that it is my
role as the teacher to make interesting and effective lesson plans.
In my classroom, I will utilize learning centers and other methods of teaching to present
material to please a diverse crowd. They will see many different materials around that they may find
interest in using to grasp an understanding of the material.

18. Artifact 3

19. My students will come into my classroom on the first day with many different levels of past
knowledge and experience. Also, I will have a room full of diverse learners. Some may learn faster than
others. I believe that it is my role of the teacher to cater to the differing needs of my students. If some
students are struggling, I will pull them aside and assist them when my other students are given time to
work on their science homework. It is my job to push them to succeed- to push them to reach or surpass
their goals. My students will understand that education is not a marathon. Understanding something new
may pose a challenge and I will show them that it is not impossible. As the teacher, it is my job to make
certain that I have a plan for those who are “accelerated,” those who are “average”, and those who are
“lacking”. I believe that no student should be considered “accelerated” or “lacking” in general as they all
have different areas of strengths and weaknesses. When I write my lesson plans, I will document the
development plan and have a strategy in place that describes how I helped these students.
I now realize the importance of accommodating all of my students regardless of their strengths
and weaknesses. I must have active lesson plans that include all of my students and strategies for their
success. I understand that my lessons and activities must appeal to all of my students so that they are
able to remain engaged throughout.
In my classroom, I will utilize learning centers and other methods of teaching to present
material to please a diverse crowd. They will see many different materials around that they may find
interest in using to grasp an understanding of the material. My students will hear me assess their
learning as we utilize whiteboards or pop up to gauge their learning. As I gauge their learning, it is my
role to accommodate the needs of all of my students.

20. Grounded Practices
As a pre-service teacher committed to teaching and counseling practices that are grounded in current research and theory, I
believe that I must document and demonstrate best professional practices as an educator. I must continue to have rigorous professional
standards and goals for the future. I will create a positive learning experience for myself and my students as I allow them to observe, assess,
make decisions, and reflect upon their learning experience as they connect to the school and national standards. It is crucial that my own
beliefs remain fluid as I evaluate them and make assumptions. I will assess the effects of my choices and actions on my students, the lesson
plan, and my student teaching experiences and create an updated portfolio as evidence of solid understanding.
I understand the importance of providing evidence of learning and implementing a constructivist approach based on my knowledge
of development, principals of learning and motivation, and learning abilities. I will document the use of a wide variety of resources, methods,
and instructional strategies based on constructivist philosophies. I will adhere to national and state standards for teachers and will demand
higher level thinking of myself. Within my lessons, I will use information technology to further learning that is designed for my students. My
activities, lesson plans, and field experience will cater to diversity within my classroom and will attend to the intellectual, social, emotional, and
physical abilities of my students as I provide opportunities to reflect on issues of diversity, respecting differences, while enhancing the learning
of a diverse student population.
I will be able to use formal and informal assessment techniques (ex. Whiteboards) to see the progression of learning. Their
learning and assessments and my own can be demonstrated in projects or portfolios. Also, as a lifelong educator, I will be accountable in my
professional development within education and my content area. I now realize the importance of a teacher assessment as it best evaluates my
practices so I can see what is working and what needs work..
As I complete the required hours of field experience, I will observe and reflect on culture, style, organization, and management
systems within the classroom. What I have seen will be documented and reflected upon in my professional binder so I can look back at them
while I am student teaching and a first year teacher to implement what works and toss out what was ineffective. In my experiences, I will
reflect upon the relationships I see between my personal observations and the theories and concepts that were explored in my education
courses. Reflections will provide evidence to these connections and will relate them to personal experience..
In my classroom, we will use projects, portfolios, and whiteboard splash to provide evidence of our learning and to
reflect; reinforce it. As an educator, I will participate in these projects as it is my responsibility to provide the opportunity to my students to allow
them to show their evidence of individual learning. I will be actively reflecting upon my own strategies of teaching and will be forcing myself to
research cutting-edge techniques to implement in my new age classroom. As I reflect upon my strategies, I will draw an education philosophy
that will remain fluid. I am a student of education for life so my beliefs will change and redevelop as I encounter different experiences in the
classroom.

22. As you enter my classroom, you will see many fossils of learning. We will show evidence of our
learning as the year progresses. I believe that my students should build a portfolio of their past works so
that they have concrete evidence to go back and see their growth and areas in which they still may need
to work. It is my role of the teacher to give my students the opportunity to grow as they learn and
document their knowledge as they work toward their final goal. My students will realize the power in
reflection as they go back and assess what they have learned. I believe that their reflexive power will
help them help me understand what material they understood and embraced. As the teacher, it is my job
to use their work to shape an individualized plan for how I teach them in the future. As we make fossils
of learning and reflect, I will be able to see their progression of learning and use it to improve my
practices.
I realize the importance of reflexive power and evidence of learning. As my students reflect, I
can use their experience to mold how I teach them on an individual level. When they provide evidence of
their learning, I can see their progress and they can too. They will see the growth of their learning
throughout the year while they provide me with valuable information of their understanding. I understand
that it is my role as the teacher to use their reflection and evidence to gauge the growth of my classroom
to better tailor the needs.
In my classroom, we will begin the year with a portfolio in which my students will be able to
show artifacts of their learning and reflect upon it. They will hear me asking questions as to why they felt
their artifact was important to their learning. As we complete other projects in the classroom, they will
see them displayed around the classroom so that they have the chance to see how others showed their
learning and compare that to their own.

24. As an educator that is committed to professional development, I will attend classes and study
other teaching methods for use in my classroom. As I develop, I will carry my new knowledge into the
classroom to reinforce or change my current practices. I believe that it is important to stay current in the
field of education so that my students are learning effectively and efficiently. I will be able to assess the
effects of my choices and actions on my students and the lesson plan. My personal assessment will
allow me to change how I teach in the classroom and help me become the best resource I can be for my
students. My students will benefit from my personal development as I will introduce new technology and
techniques for learning to my classroom. I believe that the incorporation of new technology and practice
is beneficial to my students as it will give them opportunities to bring real world issues into the
classroom. It is my role of the teacher to constantly assess my technique so that my lessons are more
meaningful to my students. It is also my role as the teacher to bring in new technologies as my students
will be able to use them to aid their learning.
I realize the importance of professional development and it’s affects on the classroom. I now
know the importance of technology in the classroom as it can aid my student’s learning and prepare
them for the real world. I understand that it is my role as the teacher to introduce new technique and
technology into the classroom as it will benefit my students.
In my classroom, I will utilize new technology like smart boards and Google resources so that
my students are able to interact with myself and their classroom. These technologies will be useful in
their future school career as they will be able to reflect upon their own work and the work of others and
share their thoughts with me as their teacher.

26. “Sometimes, you have to look back in order to understand the things that lie ahead.”
― Yvonne Woon
In education, reflection is a powerful demonstration of understanding. In order to understand
new material, my students must first look back and understand the importance of past learnings. I
believe that when students reflect on their learning, they will have a better understanding of what they
are asked to talk about. Their reflection will give them space for their opinions and thoughts on what
they think could happen next or explain what they would do differently. I will assess my students using
their reflections to gauge their understanding and to monitor their progression throughout the year. My
students will benefit from this as their learning will become more meaningful as I ask them to dive
deeper into their minds. I also think that reflection gives them the room to be creative and show me
what they know through song or art. I believe that the use of art in the classroom will allow my students
to think differently as they can use it to reflect on what they know. It is my role of the teacher provide the
opportunity to reflect using a project or group assignment in which they must collaborate and express
their opinions to others.
I now realize the power of reflection and the door of creativity that it unlocks for my students. I
understand that the use of art to reflect upon other subjects can allow visual thinkers to become more
“hands on, minds on” when they are given the chance to express themselves in this way.
In my classroom, I will ask my students to reflect in some way about material they are learning
in class. In math, I could ask my students to draw something or build something that could represent
the parts of a circle and pi. Perhaps one person would draw a bike and would ask them to explain why
they chose a bike and how it relates to the discussion. My students will see their progress after they
reflect multiple times throughout the year and compare it later on.

27. Educational Professionals Who Respect Diversity and are
Committed to Empowerment, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice
I am an educational professional that respects diversity and is committed to empowerment, equity, inclusion and
social justice. I strongly believe that I must empower my students to become responsible, self-regulated learners committed
to high standards and excellence in learning. I must create an empowering educational environment for all of my students
in which my students work in groups and are free to risk when doing so. I now realize the importance of the New York State
Code of Ethics for educators and it’s importance when meeting the student’s personal needs. I am an advocate for my
students and a vehicle for change. I believe that I must be respectful of the diversity of my student and design instructional
opportunities to my diverse population of students. I will treat my children fairly when meeting their individual needs and I
will defend the rights of all students to an appropriate education. I must be caring and sensitive in all situations of injustice
and take action appropriately when I see an issue arise.
I understand the beauty of a diverse classroom and I respect all individuals despite the life they are dealt. I now
know that as a vehicle of change, I must take appropriate action when I see that the needs of the whole student are not
being addressed. I may be their only advocate when it comes to their education and their future so I must take action when
they need it most. I now realize that injustice is something I may see in the classroom or the community among students
and their families and I must be sensitive to it. I will continue to be a caring individual towards the injustice and will do
anything in my power to support the students and his or her families.
In my classroom, it will be a safe and inviting environment in which all of my students will be active participants.
The differences among them will provide a greater outlook on the world as we see the celebration of different heritages. We
will regularly discuss major holidays and their meanings. Also, rather than celebrating one or two American holidays, we will
celebrate neutrally and I will introduce different holidays to the students in which they may not be accustomed to. Also, we
will regularly discuss current events and injustices within the world age appropriately to compare and contrast the different
sides of the argument. My students will be exposed to the whole world rather than just our small community.

29. My classroom will be a place that is excepting and inviting to people from all cultural
spectrums of the world. Despite the diverse population in my classroom, my students will be immersed
in other cultures and have a solid understand of human rights so they become individuals that are
accepting to people that are different from them. I believe that my students will think of the world
differently as a open and caring member that does not let differences define the relationships they
make. It is important to me that my students recognize others equally and with respect. I must teach
them what respect is and that they must treat others the way that they wish to be treated. I believe that
teaching character in the classroom is important as students learn about people from many different
walks of life. Respect, honor, compassion and other elements of character allow my students to step
back and ask if their action would be deemed acceptable. I will express to them that actions speak loud
and that feelings are hurt when they fail to demonstrate the elements of a strong character. It is my role
of the teacher to teach diversity and give my students the tools they need to assess themselves and
their actions.
I realize the importance of teaching respect for diversity and character elements in the class
room as these are building blocks of a leader of change. I now understand that not only will students be
diverse but so will their thoughts regarding other people. I must teach them the old saying that action
speaks loud and words may still hurt if they are not thought through.
In my classroom, I will teach diversity by introducing other cultures and people groups to my
students.. I would place them in a scenario in which they were in a school with these “other people” and
have them react to prompts using the character elements that we learned. I will shape my students into
caring and compassionate individuals that are aware of the outside world beyond the confines of the
school walls.

31. In my classroom, there will be a mix of students with different abilities and talent. I must be
accommodating of these students and realize that they come from different backgrounds. I have
learned the importance of preserving this diversity and showcasing it for all to see. I believe that it is
my role as the teacher to care for my students and be sure that they are safe and respected by those
around them. I now know that through respecting differences and sharing different backgrounds,
students will be able to see life through the eyes of the other student. Just like when something is
displayed in a museum, my students will be displayed through their group work and projects so they
can make a valuable and personal contribution. It is important to me that all of my students feel that
their school environment is a nurturing place where they want to be. I believe that if students are
nurtured, they will feel empowered to learn. It is my role of the teacher to provide my students with
chances in which they can shine.
I realize that all students come from different walks of life. They all have different abilities and
talents and I feel that they should be given a chance to demonstrate them to their classmates. I now
understand that empowerment in the classroom is important as it fuels their drive to learn new things.
In my classroom, my students will see the talents of other students in the classroom. I will
have a mini talent show in the beginning of the year as an ice breaker. This talent show will give the
class insight as to what the student is good at or enjoys doing. If they choose not to participate, I will
ask them to complete an “All About Me” poster in which they will be able to present to the class to
show what they are made of and what they are interested in.

33. As a cat would do with her litter, I will protect and serve my students. Since I must be
accommodating of students and realize that they come from different backgrounds, I realize that it is
my job to protect their diversity and fight injustice. I have learned that as a teacher, I am not only a
teacher but a parent away from home. I believe that it is my role as the teacher provide and protect
the needs of my students. I now know that I may need to intervene appropriately in my students life by
seeking counseling or providing other needs. I realize the importance of the New York State Code of
Ethics as it protects my rights and responsibilities as a vehicle of change. It is important to me that all
of my students are given a fair chance to succeed. I believe that if students are provided the social
and personal services that they need, they will be able to preform better in the classroom. It is my role
of the teacher to improve the quality of my students life by providing, to the best of my extent, myself
and the resources they may need to survive inside and outside of the classroom.
I realize that all of my students should receive the services they need to preform adequately
and healthily in the classroom and outside of the classroom. They may need help obtaining services
and I must use the NYS Code of Ethics to determine if it is my duty to request these services for my
students. I now understand that I am an advocate for my students and must use professional
judgment to decide when it is appropriate to intervene in my student’s life.
In my classroom, my students will see me watching them and will hear me asking questions
like “How was your weekend?”. Through using informal assessment, I may be able to see signs and
symptoms that may suggest their need for help. I will not pry further than if they seem uncomfortable
however, I may take note of distress and ask them about it in a private setting.

34. In conclusion, I feel that my e-folio has helped me connect
my beliefs to the Conceptual Frameworks. It has helped me
understand what I must do as an effective teacher and has given
me a base upon which I was able to build my own educational
philosophy. I now realize that I will be able to use many elements
from my e-folio and outside research within my classroom with
ease as I have incorporated my own interpretations into the
reflections. My e-folio has given me insight as to what it means
to be an educator and a life long learner.