Context: I completed these professional development activities while student teaching in the Spring of 2008. I completed these activities under the instruction of Mandy Bledsoe, by cooperating teacher. These activities I was involved with inside and outside the school.

Impact: I was very involved in professional development activities while student teaching at Millis Road School. I made sure to be involved inside and outside the school and very involved with the community. I made sure to work closing with other staff at the school and with the parents of the children.

Alignment: Through the completion of this project I have met the following NCDPI standards:

Standard 16: Elementary teachers develop as leaders in their schools and communities by staying informed about educational policy issues and supporting professional development. Elementary teachers participate in co-curricular activities, provide leadership in student and curriculum involvement, and connect these activities to the development of citizenship ideals in their students.

Indicator 2: Teachers participate in meeting that establish policy.

I met this standard by attending all faculty/ staff meetings at Millis Road. Every Tuesday we have staff meetings at these staff meetings we are involved in profession development activities with vocabulary. I also attend the grade level meetings every Wednesday with the principal, Russel Harper, and the curriculum facitator, Linda Holden, along with the other Kindergarten teachers.

Indicator 3: Teachers communicate with parents, guardians, and caretakers to build partnerships between home and school.

I meet this indicator by writing a weekly newsletter to the parents or guardians of the students in my class. I think it is very important for parents to be involved and informed on what's going on in their child's classroom. Each week I inform parents what we will doing for the week.

Indicator 4: Teachers participate in the selection of textbooks and resource materials that augment the elementary curriculum such as atlases, maps, children's literature, and software.

During my block II placement at Cove Creek school I was able to give input on the textbook choice of the first grade social study books for the next year.

Indicator 5: Teachers communicate with administrators concerning their needs including funds for field trips and guest speakers, materials unique to specific subjects an special projects, and professional development study and travel.

I am able to communicate my needs for my classroom at every grade level meeting. We meet as a grade level ever week on Wednesday. This gives the kindergarten teachers a chance to get togheter with the principal and curriculum facilitator. This is a grade opportunity to keep in touch with administrators with any concerns.

Indicator 6: Teachers welcome classroom observation by other professionals and initiate professional diaouge regarding teaching methods and instructional delivery.

I was observed during all practicum, internships, and student teaching experiences. Through the observation and feedback from the observations I am able to improve on my teaching strategies.

Indicator 7: Teachers encourage participation in civic and volunteer activities.

I encouraged civic and volunteer activities in my block II placement by service learning project , visiting the nursing home. And also through my student teaching placement. My students were involved in trying to donate 100 cans to a local soup kitchen for the 100 day of school.