Well I made it through edTPA with all my limbs attached. Hooray! After a week of writing, recording, analyzing and reflecting Ryan came to visit for a whole weekend. I usually only get him for 24 hours so it was a nice change having more time with him after a long week. I am sure glad to have that experience behind me. One thing I learned was that I am NOT made to sit at a desk all day. Good thing teachers hardly ever sit down. I luckily had an Ice Day to spend time focusing on getting that submitted and off of my plate. What a good feeling it was to be done. I was able to sit back and really pour all my energy into my lesson plans for my kiddos.
I gathered some funny pictures to hopefully put a smile on anyone's face who is suffering through Tasks 1-3. Source
I gathered some funny pictures to hopefully put a smile on anyone's face who is suffering through Tasks 1-3. Source
Tips
Here's just a few things I learned that I would have found helpful to know before venturing into this long and tedious process.
1.) Take it step by step
Each task has anywhere from 3-10 different things you need to complete. I found that only looking at one thing at a time helped me not get overwhelmed.
2.) Make realistic deadlines
We were lucky to be given the week "off" of teaching. My fellow student teachers and I went to school, worked on stuff, taught and went back to our dungeon. I made deadlines for myself and worked to meet those. For example I would tell myself that before leaving for the day I would have all my lesson plans done. That way I felt like I accomplished something and felt okay to walk away from it.
3.) Take a break (or fifty)
We took tons of breaks. Get a snack, some water to just stretch. I can't sit still and find that I work best in smaller chunks of time.
4.) Use your resources
Don't be afraid to reach out to your peers for questions. Even if they don't have an answer for you, it always helps to talk an idea out.
5.) Practice recording
You never know how these recording will turn out. If your space allows practice recording before the actual time. The students will adjust to the camera being there too. I had a conversation with my students about the camera. I told them that the camera was only watching me and I needed their help to show whoever was grading my portfolio that I was a great teacher.
6.) Break it down
Instead of filming your segments in one large piece, break it into smaller clips by starting and stopping the recording at certain parts. This can be tricky if you are trying to teach and record yourself. Tripods are your friend. I picked up the camera to talk around and get close up of the students working, I focused on their work and not their faces. Some of them didn't even realize I was recording.
7.) Thank your students
This was not an easy week for them with me out of the room and messing with their routine. I made it a point to thank them for their help and even brought in donuts for the kiddos. I really wanted a donut too, but I promise I was only thinking of the kids.
8.) Think about your outfits
Watching some of the film back made me realize that my clothing hangs differently than I think it does. This might not be that big of a deal, but you want to come off looking like a professional. I will definitely be buying some Static Guard for future use.
9.) Take care of yourself
If you need to come home after a long day of typing and sit on the couch all night, do it. I did my best to keep up my normal running schedule, but I found it hard when my body was telling me it needed sleep. Pay attention to your body and listen to it. You won't want to be run down and tired this week.
10.) You can do it
Even when you are up to your eyeballs in work samples remember that you love what you do (or at least I hope you do if you are doing through with edTPA). This isn't a forever thing and before you know it it will be over. My advice? Don't draw it out longer than you need to. Get it out of the way, your students miss you!
1.) Take it step by step
Each task has anywhere from 3-10 different things you need to complete. I found that only looking at one thing at a time helped me not get overwhelmed.
2.) Make realistic deadlines
We were lucky to be given the week "off" of teaching. My fellow student teachers and I went to school, worked on stuff, taught and went back to our dungeon. I made deadlines for myself and worked to meet those. For example I would tell myself that before leaving for the day I would have all my lesson plans done. That way I felt like I accomplished something and felt okay to walk away from it.
3.) Take a break (or fifty)
We took tons of breaks. Get a snack, some water to just stretch. I can't sit still and find that I work best in smaller chunks of time.
4.) Use your resources
Don't be afraid to reach out to your peers for questions. Even if they don't have an answer for you, it always helps to talk an idea out.
5.) Practice recording
You never know how these recording will turn out. If your space allows practice recording before the actual time. The students will adjust to the camera being there too. I had a conversation with my students about the camera. I told them that the camera was only watching me and I needed their help to show whoever was grading my portfolio that I was a great teacher.
6.) Break it down
Instead of filming your segments in one large piece, break it into smaller clips by starting and stopping the recording at certain parts. This can be tricky if you are trying to teach and record yourself. Tripods are your friend. I picked up the camera to talk around and get close up of the students working, I focused on their work and not their faces. Some of them didn't even realize I was recording.
7.) Thank your students
This was not an easy week for them with me out of the room and messing with their routine. I made it a point to thank them for their help and even brought in donuts for the kiddos. I really wanted a donut too, but I promise I was only thinking of the kids.
8.) Think about your outfits
Watching some of the film back made me realize that my clothing hangs differently than I think it does. This might not be that big of a deal, but you want to come off looking like a professional. I will definitely be buying some Static Guard for future use.
9.) Take care of yourself
If you need to come home after a long day of typing and sit on the couch all night, do it. I did my best to keep up my normal running schedule, but I found it hard when my body was telling me it needed sleep. Pay attention to your body and listen to it. You won't want to be run down and tired this week.
10.) You can do it
Even when you are up to your eyeballs in work samples remember that you love what you do (or at least I hope you do if you are doing through with edTPA). This isn't a forever thing and before you know it it will be over. My advice? Don't draw it out longer than you need to. Get it out of the way, your students miss you!