Disposition 5 - Attendance

Today was the last day of class instruction / last day of presentations. Because I completed all my presentations on Monday, I could have easily skipped class today because I had a lot of errands to run to get my kids and husband on the plane tonight and also because I knew that we would not be doing anything that would be graded. I did go class and because of that, I'm proud to say that I have fulfilled the "Attendance" disposition with a 100 percent attendance for this First Term 2009!

Disposition 9 - Commitment

Because I am done with all my presentations, it would have been easy to not go to class today but work on another class assignment instead. But, rather than doing that, I reminded myself of the commitment I have made when I decided to go into this Education program. So, I went to class and participated in the presentations that were given today. Because of that, I can say that I was able to fulfill the "Commitment" disposition today.

Disposition 3 - Learning Community

I fulfilled the "Learning Community" disposition today by giving a science lesson (along with my science partner) on force and motion. It took a lot of preparation and working together in trying to come up with a flow of activities as well as a lesson plan that we both could agree on. I feel that in presenting, both my partner and I were able to contribute to the learning community of our class.

Disposition 8 - Initiative

Through participating in the presentations today, I felt that I was able to fulfill the "initiative" disposition by having a positive attitude as a participant in the presentations and by completing the tasks that were given to me to do. It is always easier to not participate or not be involved in the activities given to the class to do, but as part of working towards becoming a better professional, it is important to take the initiative and be an active member of the classroom environment.

Disposition 3 - Learning Community

I was able to contribute to my learning community today by offering the opening prayer for class. It was also my presentation day today and through my presentation, was able to contribute once again to the learning community of our class. I could have done a better job with my presentation and hopefully I can learn from this last one and do a better job for my next (and last) presentation.

Disposition 5 - Attendance

I fulfilled the "Attendance" disposition today by going to class. I had a sick child at home and was going to miss class but then at the last minute, I was able to figure out having someone help me out with the kids. It was good to go to class and participate in the presentations.

Disposition 7 - Flexibility

Today was my presentation day. Melissa Tyler and I had quite a few things that we wanted to do with our presentation but because of time constraints, we shaved it down to only a few. Because of that, I feel that I was able to fulfill the "flexibility" disposition. If I wasn't flexible, we would have gone overtime with our presentation. Instead, we made do with our situation and ended the presentation smoothly.

Disposition 6 - Punctuality

For class today, I arrived about five minutes early and so that allowed me to fulfill the "Punctuality" disposition for today. I'm really glad to have made it class before it started because I am aiming to be early for class rather than late.

Disposition 9 - Commitment

Again, Dr. Winstead was not in class today. I fulfilled disposition 9, "Commitment" by going to class anyway. When I was admitted to the Education program, I made a commitment to be an active part of the program and to be in class when I should be. I had a friend in town who is leaving today, and Dr. Winstead was not in class again so it would have been the "perfect" time to skip class and hang out with my friend. Instead, I remembered the commitment that I made, to be a better student than I was during my undergraduate years, and it was a no-brainer. I went to class and I'm glad that I did.

Disposition 1 - Personal Integrity, Disposition 5 - Attendance

We had to take a test today on the content matter for Earth and Space science. I fulfilled disposition 1 by being honest in the way I studied for the test and especially when I took the test.


There is nothing more tempting than not going to class when you know the teacher is not going to be there. As tempting as it was, I went to class (on time too) and fulfilled the "Attendance" disposition by being there in class especially since I could have just stayed home. The best part was that we got to make s'mores at the end of class. I am so glad that I went to class today!

Disposition 6 - Punctuality

I am proud of myself today. After having some trouble getting my babysitter up in time for me to leave for class, we sorted things out and I actually made it to class a little before class started. So yes, I fulfilled disposition 6 today by arriving before class and getting myself ready for today's presentations.

Disposition 3 - Learning Community, Disposition 4- Responsibility

Today I fulfilled the third disposition of "Learning Community" by actively participating in the presentation that Crystal and Melissa Ann did today. Their presentation was based on the HCPS III Science Standards for the first quarter for first grade. The rest of the class had to pretend that they were in the first grade and when we participated, we had to keep that part in mind. I feel like I did a good job and helping these two out with their presentation by playing the part that they asked.


Melissa and I also did a presentation today but using the science standards for second grade. I fulfilled the disposition of "Responsibility" by doing my part of the presentation that we both agreed on. I also feel like I fulfilled the disposition by sharing the work load evenly between the two of us. I came prepared to do my part for this presentation.

Disposition 3 - Learning Community, Disposition 11- Being a Reflective Learner

It was a work session today in class for our presentations that begin on Monday. I worked with my partner for this task with no disagreements, compromise and respect for each other's ideas. In doing this, I was able to fulfill the disposition of the learning community (#3).

Today was the last day to take the Pedagogy test for this class (ELED 360 - Science Methods). Even though I did not study or take the test in class, I feel like I was able to execute disposition 11 of being a reflective learner by going the extra mile with my study notes because I knew that if I didn't do a good job in making my study notes, I would do poorly. I did not do as well as I had hoped on the test but I know what areas I could do better with for the next test.

Disposition 5 - Attendance

I fulfilled the attendance disposition by not only coming to class but also going to the meetings that I had set up with my partner for the Teacher Resource assignment. We met for 2 hours last night to figure out which parts of the resource we would work on and how we would do our short presentation in class.

Disposition 10 - Dress and Grooming

Today was a presentation day for most of the class. I decided to fulfill disposition 10 "Dress and Grooming" today by dressing up professionally for the presentation. I am going to make it a goal to dress professionally every time I have to give a presentation whether it be in this class or another.

Disposition 8 - Initiative

Today I fulfilled the "Initiative" disposition by working on my share of the task that we had in class today and helping the rest of my group complete theirs. I was able to help the members in my group with wording their questions and they helped me with trying to figure out what words to use for our part of the class jeopardy game.

Disposition 2 - Respect for Authority; Disposition 4 - Responsibility

I fulfilled the "Respect for Authority" disposition by listening to what Dr. Winstead talked about and suggested for the different assignments that we are given. I also took a lot of notes because I know that Dr. Winstead knows what he's talking about and all the suggestions that he gave is only going to benefit me and because he knows all these things because of the huge amount of experience that he has in the Education field.

For the disposition of "Responsibility", I felt I was responsible for my learning because I came to class having completely read the first chapter of the textbook. We may not have talked about the chapter that much but at least I knew that I did my part of reading the assignment that was given. Also, I was able to talk about the "energy ball" activity that we did on Monday because I read up on it before class.

Disposition 3 - Learning Community; Disposition 4 - Responsibility

Being the first day of class, there was the usual ice-breaker activity. This is an education class so it wasn't the normal run-of-the-mill introductions one would give in a college classroom setting. Today's classroom experience helped to build the foundation of this class' "learning environment". I felt that this professional disposition was met by having to learn each class members names and something about them. Because we had to introduce another person, we had to pay attention to what our partner was saying and ask questions about the things they may have mentioned. I feel that this helped to create good rapport between the classmates so that later on during the semester positive learning will take place much more easily than if the good rapport was not established at first.

I felt that I fulfilled disposition 4 (responsibility) today by having all my materials ready for class. Even though we didn't have a reading assignment or any other assignment, I felt prepared to learn because I had my textbook, my pen, paper and (mostly because I am a mother with kids who still wake up at night) I felt rested and alert enough to pay attention to what was happening in class. I asked questions about different assignments because I wanted to be sure that I understood what was required of all the assignments. Today, I took responsibility for my learning (even if it was just the first day of class and most of what we did was go over the syllabus).

THE DISPOSITIONS

Professional Dispositions
1. Personal Integrity:
Candidate was honest and forthright in all dealings with students, teachers and school personnel. There was no evidence of lying, cheating, plagiarizing, or any other type of deception.

2. Respect for Authority:
Candidate showed respect for the teacher/supervisor and others in authority with whom he/she interacts (e.g., courtesy, appropriate body language, recognition of experience/expertise of teacher/supervisor, acceptance of feedback, appropriate use of title). Candidate also showed respect for all he/she came in contact with by acknowledging the experience and expertise of teachers/supervisors and recognizing the opportunity to benefit from this additional experience and training.

3. Learning Community:
Candidate contributed positively in class by demonstrating an openness for learning, paying attention, supporting the teacher and classmates (regardless of any differences such as racial/ethnic, religious or cultural), contributing positively to the learning of classmates in whole or group activities, avoiding conflicts, and refraining from disruptive activities (e.g., talking on phone, eating, reading newspaper, carrying on a conversation).

4. Responsibility:
Candidate turned in assignments on time, and addressed all details and requirements adequately. In class, he/she had read assigned materials, often contributed meaningfully to class discussions, and carried a full share of the work in all cooperative activities. In class, candidate came fully prepared, having read assignments and completed all other activities assigned or suggested outside of class. Such preparation also allowed the candidate to make contributions in class.

5. Attendance:
Candidate attended class and/or other program activities, following the School of Education policy.

6. Punctuality:
Candidate was on time to class and other program activities or obligations and stayed through the entire class period or activity; remained involved and participated throughout the entire time.

7. Flexibility:
Candidate accepted and adjusted to changes that affected assignments or class activities, fulfilled assignments and completed work despite problems or obstacles that arose. Showed ingenuity and creativity when faced with problems or obstacles in fulfilling assignments.

8. Initiative:
Candidate demonstrated a positive attitude toward class work and interaction with classmates, and worked on his/her own to solve problems, improve circumstances and complete tasks. He/She was observant of needs or opportunities for service and took action without being asked.

9. Commitment/Loyalty:
Candidate demonstrated commitment to the program/profession by consistently making choices to honor his/her commitment and the responsibilities associated with classes, etc. over other activities (e.g., family reunions, concerts, vacations).

10. Dress and Grooming:
Candidate meets the expectations of the Honor code and shows his/her commitment to professionalism by dressing in conservative clothing that clearly sets him/her apart from the students he/she teaches.

11. Being a Reflective Learner:
Candidate demonstrates the ability to reflect and improve performance by actively seeking ways to assess his/her abilities and deepen knowledge of classroom practice and student learning.