Artifact Reflection Title: 40th Annual Association for Middle Level Education Conference Date: Fall 2013 Artifact

Description: I attended the 40th Annual Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) Conference in Minneapolis, MN. The conference invited teachers, pre-service teachers, counselors, administrators, and superintendents from across the nation to come together for three days to engage in professional development workshops. The following artifact is the cover of the conference program book which was received by each participant. Alignment Reflection: Wisconsin Teacher Standard Alignment: This artifact best aligns with Wisconsin Teaching Standard 10, which states The teacher fosters relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support pupil learning and well-being and acts with integrity, fairness and in an ethical manner." Through my experience attending the 40th Annual AMLE Conference, I have found that this experience aligns best with the Wisconsin Standards of Teacher Development and Licensure Standard Ten. At the AMLE conference I had the opportunity to collaborate with different teachers, counselors, and administrators during sessions and get feedback and experience that will help me in the classroom. Numerous studies over the past decade show that when schools, families, and community groups collaborate to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, and like school more. Teachers and school administrators need to understand how they can tap into community resources and how their resources can provide valuable time, talent,
Warren, S. R., Noftle, J. T., Derin-Ganley, D. D., & Quintanar, A. P. (2011). Preparing urban teachers to partner with families and communities. The School Community Journal, 21(1), 95-112.

and materials that facilitate student success. These educators need to know how their teaching practices and effectiveness can be enhanced via effective connections and interfacing with the families and communities of their students and schools (Warren, et.al, 2011). This quote relates to Standard 10 because teachers connect to other teachers and the community. The community and families play an active role in curriculum and the classroom. By going to the conference and collaborating with other teachers I am better able to guide students to be a positive member of the community. Students with a strong community have support for learning and ensure well-being throughout their life making good choices. I am also better able to connect with the community through experiences and practices I have gained at the conference. For example I can volunteer at community activities and be a positive role model for my students and get to know members of the community outside of school. One of the first sessions that I attended was When Consequences Dont Work: Succeeding with Difficult Students. This session gave a great overview of different techniques that teachers can use in the classroom to manage and supervise student learning without the use of harsh rules and strict structure. This session was a wonderful example of collaboration as the facilitator encouraged discussion amongst the participants to share not only your own tricks of the trade but also to learn about other teachers own techniques. Through this process I learned some new strategies for students who are causing a disruption, without necessarily singling them out. For example, giving them choices and clear consequences for each action and following through may help those students who constantly look to challenge you. Another session that I attended at the conference was Do or DI: Daring Teachers to Differentiate Instruction to Boost Student Success The presentation was a nice display of how different ways of instruction can help students in individual ways. He suggested breaking up
Warren, S. R., Noftle, J. T., Derin-Ganley, D. D., & Quintanar, A. P. (2011). Preparing urban teachers to partner with families and communities. The School Community Journal, 21(1), 95-112.

lessons with brain teasers and making the classroom active through song, dance, or games to keep the students engaged in the lesson. Finally, through my experience at the AMLE conference, I was able to foster relationships with my fellow PDS classmates, and gain some insight into their own unique experience at the conference. Throughout the week and upon arrival back to PDS classroom, I was able to share what they learned at different sessions and collaborate with other PDS students who were not in attendance. Without a doubt with the collaboration of the PDS students and professor whether they were at the conference or not our discussion will aid in our future endeavors. UW-Platteville School of Education Knowledge, Skill, Disposition Statement Alignment: It is my belief that my experience at the 40th Annual AMLE Conference aligns best with KSD4.e. The alignment states that the teacher candidate is aware of opportunities to develop professionally and improve their understanding of content knowledge and pedagogy. Through my experience at the Professional Development School and my involvement with the Collegiate Middle Level Association I was able to learn about and take advantage of the opportunity to attend the conference as well as other developmental experiences. I will look within the larger community to build myself as a professional and develop the skills necessary to be an effective educator for my students. Most importantly I will make it a high priority to collaborate with fellow teachers and educators to build a great school and district.

Secondary UW-Platteville KSD Alignments: KSD4.d. Contributes to the School and District

Reflection:
Warren, S. R., Noftle, J. T., Derin-Ganley, D. D., & Quintanar, A. P. (2011). Preparing urban teachers to partner with families and communities. The School Community Journal, 21(1), 95-112.

What I learned about teaching/learning from this experience: Through my attendance and participation at the 2013 AMLE Conference, I learned a lot about classroom management and how to keep my students attention by being creative. It is important to have an understanding of content knowledge, but it is just as important if not more so to understand the make-up of the student and what makes them tick. By attending conferences and workshops teachers are able to collaborate with one another and learn different techniques to keep them interested and on task.

What I learned about myself as a prospective educator as a result from the experience/artifact: Through this experience, I learned the importance of being a life-long learner. I learned that although education is content based, it is heavily dependent on environment and the role modeling of the teacher. In my classroom I will develop my skill set of content but also my skill set in teaching methods by being creative with my instruction. Students will pay attention more by adding brain teasers, or by pairing content with a song. By attending professional development opportunities and collaborating with different teachers, I will learn how to reach my students on a deeper level and learn techniques to create a positive classroom environment.

Warren, S. R., Noftle, J. T., Derin-Ganley, D. D., & Quintanar, A. P. (2011). Preparing urban teachers to partner with families and communities. The School Community Journal, 21(1), 95-112.