My cooperating teacher, the first grade team, and the entire faculty at Magruder Elementary School have all served as wonderful role models during my practicums and student teaching semester.  The amazing experience I had with my placement has prepared me to work as a leader in the educational field.  Being a leader in the classroom involves showing the students that you are excited about teaching and interested in the lives of each of the students.  Getting to know my students, my coworkers, and my volunteers allows me to become more effective in planning and working with everyone. 

During my student teaching semester I have had the opportunity to attend numerous faculty development trainings, planning meetings, PTA events, parent-teacher conferences, child studies, and IEP meetings.  Every single meeting and training session has allowed me to develop my own understanding of what it means to become a leader in the school. 

As an educational leader, I know that I will work to adapt my teaching methods to fit with new and effective research based methods.  I also know that I will work to serve others, through both extracurricular activities and career training opportunities.

The following link includes the list of all of the meetings and events that I attended during my full time student teaching position: Log of Professional Experience

One noteworthy event that involves leadership dealt with a lesson on plant parts.  Rachel Florek, another student teacher, and I went from store to store asking various grocers and florists if they would donate dying flowers to our classroom.  In the end, we received a huge donation from Williamsburg Floral and Gifts of beautiful carnations, roses, daisies, and lilies.  It was amazing to have help from the community and I made sure that my students wrote to thank them.