Capsection Five
Capsection Five
Capsection Five
Introduction
As we continue, I now have the opportunity to reflect upon my personal experience
within the Medaille College M.S. Ed. Program. Having the opportunity to reflect on the
culmination of life, work and educational experiences that has brought me to this point fills me
with pride. This reflection of my journey speaks to my core beliefs of the necessity for continual
personal and professional growth. Along with the pursuit of excellence in planning, instruction,
assessment, classroom management and desire to engage children through innovative ways to
present the curriculum. This section will prove that my past and present experiences, along with
connections to Teacher Education Accreditation Council and the Council for Accreditation for
Embarking on this academic journey has been one of the most difficult, but extraordinary
experiences of my life. The process of reflecting on this journey has allowed me to realize the
tangible and intangible experience I have gained, which has prepared me for a future educator.
portfolio has allowed me to develop academically and personally, something which I value
Improvement). The accomplishment I feel each week as I progress through this experience is the
realization of success. This experience is unique because I have already had the opportunity to be
teaching in the classroom. Working as an uncertified teacher for the previous 2 years while
attending Medaille has proven monumental to my growth and readiness as a certified educator. I
have been able to transfer my knowledge and skills gained at Medaille directly to the classroom;
week after week implementing strategies and practices in which I was learning. Specifically,
with notable mention, EDU 504: Early Field Experience Seminar provided me with insight into
the parent-teacher relationship, which helped facilitate growth towards a more personal but
emphasize enough the privilege I have had teaching while enrolled in teachers college, I have
also learned a great deal being exposed to the Buffalo school system and Saturday academy.
Each school has given me an educational or enlightening take away that I will carry with me as I
continue on my educational journey. A school I became very fond of was Frank A. Sedita
Academy. Spending a majority of the time there allowed me to really connect with the
community, venders, students and their families. Each time I arrived it felt more and more like
home, and it allowed me to truly feel more comfortable and confident in that environment. I
enjoyed this school so much because I feel it really benefited the community and provided the
families a positive, welcoming and loving environment for them to come to and build
educational and social skills. I remember our first time there; being outside playing basketball
with the children, it was so rewarding seeing their joy and confidence build with every successful
different approach to educating the future teachers, but it was so necessary. The education
system is more than just delivering lesson plans to kids, more than just inside the school, it is
what teachers must to do from an administrative side to advocate for children (TEAC/CAEP
are caring educators)
Having completed my undergraduate degree minor in development psychology, ESP
allowed me to take my previous knowledge of children with exceptionalities and apply it to the
classroom; carefully attending to the needs of each student. When reflecting on incorporating
effective and appropriate lessons for children of all needs, I am reminded of a quote heard in first
semester: “fair is not equal”. This has had a profound impact on me as a future educator as it
serves as a reminder that lesson planning, instruction and assessment are not a blanket for
everyone in the class. They are tailored to the needs of the diverse learning styles and
matter in their certification area(s), Claim 2: Medaille College graduates meet the needs of
Another course which pushed my academic boundaries was ECI 510: Research in
Education. This course showcases my ability to research, analyze and think critically while
academic development through reputable peer reviewed sources to increase my own knowledge
and provide a better learning experienced for my students. It has developed the skills necessary
to organize and plan effective instructional periods and draw conclusions of a child’s assessment
While I have mentioned the impact ECI: Culturally Responsive Pedagogy has had on me, I
would be remis if I did not touch on the pivotal effect this had on me and my ability to educate
all my students to the best of their ability. This course came during the Black Lives Matter
movement which highlighted the dire need for everyone to take responsibility and action toward
historic fundamental change. This change starts with me in a classroom realizing my own
environment and material which aims to educate and impower children. Children must see
themselves in their future and it is my duty as an educator to provide and education that is rich
with cultural diversity (TEAC/CAEP Standard 1: Content and Pedagogical Knowledge, Standard
4. Program Impact, Claim 2: Medaille College graduates meet the needs of diverse learners
are caring educators).
Lastly, the course EDU 571: Technology for the Classroom was one of the most practical
and useful experiences, especially since our studies have continued through a global pandemic.
This shifted the population of learners to be educated remotely, which is a testament to a teacher,
and students, need to be flexible, resilient and consistent with their goals. This course has
substantially increased my ability to provide an innovative and interactive online platform where
I can engage students to increase their education. I have been given resources that makes me
excited to use in the classroom. The Weebly website and Google Classroom are simply two I can
visualize using quite frequently to create diverse and relative material to keep my students
engaged and learning. It has also addressed the need to educate my students of their diligence
toward cyber safety and appropriate usage of the internet (TEAC/CAEP Standard 1. Content and
know the subject matter in their certification area(s), Claim 2: Medaille College graduates meet
readiness to become a teacher, I must first start with a quote from one of my favourite books
Bubblegum Pie “I didn’t give up… I was bold and persistent though progress was slow. I’d never
trade the hard road for the easier street; it’s made [my success] so much more sweet.” This quote
speaks directly to my ability to remain persistent through times of challenge and uncertainty.
Embarking on this journey to complete my Master of Education while raising 3 young children
and working fulltime demonstrates how passionate I am about becoming an educator and how
and grow academically and professionally. In addition, I continue to exhibit growth in areas
educator because it will be the mindset I encourage in my classroom; that dedication and
perseverance will provide the greatest successes. The M.S. Ed portfolio has given me the
opportunity to prove the importance of having a continual pedagogical focus on planning and
organization while being sensitive to the needs of the students. I am grateful for the opportunity
least restrictive environment. It has provided me with strategies and tools to manage a classroom
and maintain student engagement; for, when children are engaged and learning, they are less
likely to need management or redirection. As a future educator, I will continuously advocate for
the importance of family involvement to ensure success of a child and promote a strong school
community. My time at Medaille has given me perspective; traveling to another country and
learning about the similarities and differences of our educations systems has increased my
knowledge and my skillset. I have come to realize that our focus is the same; to be an active
participant in the development of a child’s future and we must fight for them both inside and
outside the classroom. Building strong schools is all about building strong communities.
Conclusion
My journey to get to this point has not always been direct and correct, but it has been
mine. Without my path I perhaps would not have realized my passion to teach or had developed
a love for educating our future. Completing the reflection section of this portfolio allow me the
opportunity to take in all I have accomplished to this point and it has been enlightening. It has
allowed me to highlight the acquisition of the many tools and skills provided to me, as well as