Collaboration and Outreach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effective teachers foster positive relationships with a variety of target groups (students, families, colleagues, local community members, etc.) in order to promote and enhance the teaching and learning environment.

 

 

Teaching and learning are inherently collaborative processes. Growing up among a family of teachers, I understand first-hand how engaging and interactive the teaching profession can—and should—be. This collaborative relationship extends far beyond teacher-to-teacher partnerships; it involves most of the major stakeholders in a student’s educational “family”, i.e., community members, parents, and students. Because most of my professional background has been rooted in educational science outreach, I am well aware of the many positive outcomes inherent to the constructive alliance between collaboration and outreach.

 

My scientific outreach began as a junior at Cornell University. I created an interactive program, with modifications for grades 2-8. The program focused on white-tail deer overpopulation. I brought in tangible items that the students could touch and ask questions about—including deer antlers, skulls (deer and bobcat), deer hides, deer footprints and examples of berries and acorns from their diet.  This was a very hands-on presentation that was very successful. Consequently, I was later selected to work with Ithaca College professionals to create an educational film funded by the New York State 4-H program.

 

My professional experiences a short time later included interning at the Long Island Aquarium (located in Riverhead, New York) and, finally, Ithaca’s own Sciencenter. In both placements, I learned valuable skills in regards to engaging guests of all ages (from young campers to extended families with multiple adults) in informative ways so as to prompt their further curiosity. If you entered my classroom, you would see these skills on a daily basis. I try to incorporate those qualities inherent to an interactive museum presentation into my classroom discussions so students can question and wonder about the world around them in scientific ways. If they are immediately engaged by an appealing presentation, their curiosity will be piqued and their interest will be subsequently enhanced.

 

Collaboration among colleagues is important, especially for a beginning teacher. Learning from the experience of others is an invaluable resource. During both student teaching placements I worked with other colleagues, (both interdisciplinary and within the science department) to share resources and ask for advice. The English teacher in my first placement used a specific graphic organizer that helped her students create evidence-based claims. Since the students were already familiar with this format, I incorporated it into my own lessons so students had continuity across the disciplines.

 

It has often been said that a parent is a child’s first true teacher, and I sincerely believe that families continue to play a very important role in their children’s education long after the little ones have crawled down from their parent’s lap. As a result, I have made a class website that I will use with future students that reaches out to their parents or caregivers. This will be a website designed to inform this all-important home group on a bimonthly basis regarding what my expectations are for the unit. Parents/ caregivers will have access to class content through this website, in addition to student grades. In both placements I actively used SchoolTool to input grades and communicate with parents.

 

I abide by the laws and responsibilities of a public school teacher and hold myself to high professional standards. Moreover, I support my students in athletic events and school productions. In both placements, I visited my students and thoroughly enjoyed their performance in the school musicals. I am a strong supporter of the arts— it was my pastime during my student years in my home district.  I value the importance of teacher support throughout the district.