Context
These activities were completed during my student teaching experience at Hardin Park Elementary in the Spring 2006 semester. Such activities as faculty meetings, taking on car duty shifts once a week, and attending school functions after the school day are examples of my involvement with my school and community.

Impact
In participating in the activities that I did, I showed myself developing as a school leader and as an active participant in the school community. Having participated in these types of activities during my student teaching experience will prepare me to be an actively involved teacher in a future teaching situation, and will also demonstrate how I can become a leader in a school community because I care enough to be involved with the school during and after school hours. Also, in participating in these activities, I gained a better understanding of how schools are run and how decisions are made, which will help me be a more aware and active teacher as well.

Alignment
Standard 16:
Indicator 1: This indicator was met when I encouraged my students to come to the International Art Festival Night at school. To encourage student participation outside of school, I showcased their artwork in various locations throughout the school so they would want to attend and show their artwork and accomplishments to their families. In so doing this, I encouraged students to be involved in activities outside of school.
Indicator 2: This standard was met when I attended faculty meetings and K-2 area meetings. During these meetings, policies for lockdown procedures, book usage in grade levels, academic assistance referrals, etc. were made. This demonstrates my participation at meetings where important policies are made and discussed.
Indicator 3: In participating in afternoon car duty where I met parents and loaded students into their cars, I demonstrated my ability to communicate with parents to build partnerships. Because parents got to know me and see my face, our communication increased because I got to know who the parents were and what they did in their lives. This allowed me to build a partnership with the parents because we became acquainted and had a common interest in their children.