Marguerite Lafferty |
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“I was impressed by her teaching abilities and her interactions with the students in our classroom.” Shelley McLaughlin Transitional Kindergarten Teacher Luiseno Elementary School Lake Elsinore Unified School District
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Work related letters of Recommendation attached |
Professional ProfileMulti-grade level Teacher who cares about the students, their education, and their all-around well-being. I have worked four years in many different Special Education classrooms as a Substitute Teacher. Have worked with teachers and students to make learning enjoyable and understandable. Collaborated with other professionals to provide high-quality educational experiences. Education, Credentials, & CertificationsMasters in Education in Special Education Associates of Science in Drafting & Design Technology Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology – Mechanical 30 Day Substitute Teaching Certificate
Key QualificationsVerbal and Written Communication skills. EmploymentDistrict Wide Substitute (Special Education preference) – 5/ 2018 – Present District Wide Substitute (Special Education preference) – 9/ 2019 – Present District Wide Substitute (Special Education preference) – 8/ 2019 – Present • Implements lesson plans, while ensuring the integrity of academic time and in a manner with motivates students to learn and participate. • Maintains discipline and classroom control that fosters a safe and positive learning environment for all students and staff in accordance with school and county policies • Ensures appropriate supervision to assure health, welfare, and safety of all students. Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities. • Reports all student injuries, accidents, illnesses, and discipline problems to the appropriate authority immediately or as soon as is reasonably possible. • Dismisses all students from the classroom before leaving the building, then completes a Substitute Teacher Report Form. • Complies with and supports school and state regulations and policies; performs other related duties as assigned by building administrator(s) in accordance with school/state practices. ActivitiesMember of National Association of Special Education Teachers Supporter of The ARC in Palm Springs Volunteer Service for Lake Elsinore Unified School District K-12 grades ‒ 7 years total |
Description and Rationale: This is the professional resume I plan to use to apply for future jobs as a special education teacher in one or more districts in my area. It includes my current job as a multidistrict sub and will have 3 work-related letters of recommendation attached as required by edjoin.
Professional Disposition Statement
I believe that all students can learn. I do understand that they may not always want to learn, but undoubtedly, they are learning whether they know this or not. I know it can be hard when they fight you the whole way, but they still can and are learning. When you can pique a student’s own curiosity, they will create the need or desire to learn themselves. Therefore, getting to know your students personally, developmentally, their learning styles, different cultures, strengths, and weaknesses is critical to breaking down their walls and getting through (ReachOut.com, 2022). Develop high expectations for your students; they may surprise you. Show compassion when growing that relationship of support for the student’s emotional, intellectual, and spiritual needs (Supporting High Academic Expectations Synthesis paper, 2020). Present yourself professionally in dress and conduct to distinguish your role as their teacher. Lastly, be dedicated to yourself as an educator, your students as an advocate, and spread positive changes in yourself, the school, and the community. All these qualities lend to helping a student learn.
My Professional Dispositions Assessment shows I strongly agree with all the dispositions mentioned, which in turn align with my professional disposition statement. I may still be learning how to accomplish some of these in the classroom, but I still strongly believe they are all necessary to help a student learn.
I really didn’t understand the classroom environment concept when I started this program. Teaching and observing how the different teachers decorate their rooms, especially elementary versus high school I realize that it is not actually the decor of the room, but the warmth, caring, uplifting, and general atmosphere created by the teachers, aides, and classmates. For example, an elementary classroom will display a lot of the students’ work and have bright colors and reminders of how to respect one another. At the high school, the classroom isn’t necessarily always purposely decorated, it can be simple to avoid distractions for the students, maybe some encouraging words. The real environment is the one the teacher creates with his compassion, professionalism, positive words, and actions.
The Model Code of Ethics is a guide to proper professional conduct. Professional dispositions demonstrate the conduct we feel will benefit the students to the best of their abilities. Both the Model Code of Ethics and a teacher’s professional dispositions combined are the best outcome for our students, ourselves, and the community we serve (NASDTEC, 2021).
To improve as a teacher, I will be open to learning from all sources, teachers, colleagues, co-workers, parents, paraprofessionals, and yes, even my students. I want to join a professional group outside the school that will teach me how to advocate for my students. Continuing education to always be informed of new and better ways to be of service to my students will be one of my outstanding goals.
References
Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation. (2020). Supporting High Academic Expectations Synthesis Paper. https://www.cese.nsw.gov.au/publications-filter/high-academic-expectations-synthesis-paper
National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification. (2021). Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE). https://www.nasdtec.net/page/MCEE_Doc
ReachOut.com. (2022). Why it’s Important to understand Student Needs and Interests. https://schools.au.reachout.com/articles/why-its-important-to-understand-student-needs-and-interests
Description and rationale: This is my professional disposition on how I intend to represent myself in my future job as a special education teacher. It explains my philosophy of what I believe students need and how I intend to service my students to meet those needs.