While I have many areas in which I have already worked hard to excel, there are some where I have had some struggles with.  This does not mean I lack in these areas; this only means I must keep working hard to perfect them.  We all have areas which we can keep improving, and I am no exception. From the observations performed by Dr. Sefranek during my first two semesters, I can see others have been able to see areas of improvement in my teaching as well.

 

 I need to work on mapping out the class before giving it.

• Laura should routinely and explicitly map out the current days aims for students, making connections to past classes by clarifying how prior lessons have led up to the present, and what will soon follow. She may alternatively request that students themselves make the connections between the current day’s objectives and past lessons.

 

I need to work on being clear with my instructions

• Laura should write instructions for group activities on the board and review them prior to students’ participation in order to ensure her instructions are not merely spoken and that students can refer back to them as needed.

 

I need to give them space to answer questions

• When she asks students questions, she needs to ensure they cannot respond with simple or superficial yes or no answers. Her questions should prompt deeper levels of analyses and interpretation. She might create a balance in terms of level of difficulty by drawing them in with easier questions, then pushing them to reflect and respond more profoundly with more challenging questions.