Final Reflection

Looking back on your capstone project, what aspects do you feel were particularly successful or effective? Why?

Looking back on my capstone project, the aspect that felt particularly effective, and contributed to much success, was the hours of thoughtful planning that went into it. I found that every small detail played a big importance during the delivery of every lesson. As I reflect, I know that I have never paced a lesson out so thoroughly as I did on the capstone lessons. I found that the minute-by-minute chunking really helped me out tremendously regarding my pacing! 

How did your capstone project contribute to your growth as an aspiring educator, and what lessons did you learn from it that you plan to apply in your teaching career?

On the second day of my capstone, student engagement was at a partially all-time low. The morning had been hectic and our morning routines were thrown off by a fire drill and two wasps in the classroom. That was also the day my site professor was coming by for my capstone formal observation. I felt totally defeated, especially after having a great first capstone day. However, I continued on. At the end of the day, I felt that the lesson could have gone a hundred times better in so many different ways! I became really stuck on that idea— really reflecting on how I could have done this better and how that thing didn’t go as planned… My site professor had to stop me and remind me that there were still many positive aspects to acknowledge and that I should not be worrying too much. She shared that teaching is a constant journey of improvement. We all have those days when things don't go as planned, and that's okay. Her words resonated deeply, reminding me that teaching is not just about having lessons that go perfectly but a continual commitment to improvement. 

How has your personal teaching philosophy evolved throughout the program, and what principles will you prioritize in your future classroom?

Throughout the program, my teaching philosophy has evolved from having thoroughly planned lessons to a more balanced approach that values spontaneity and the inherent joy of learning. There were moments when I felt the fun being drained from the classroom due to an obsessive focus on perfecting lesson plans, prompting me to remind myself that learning should be joyful. As I move forward into having my own classroom, I aim to prioritize student-focusedall-time learning with a culture of reflection and student voice. I aspire to create an environment that nurtures a love for learning, curiosity, and the intrinsic joy of discovering new ideas and perspectives.