Reflective Analysis of Portfolio Artifact

Rationale/Reflection
NAEYC Standard:
STANDARD 6. BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL
Candidates prepared in early childhood degree programs identify and conduct themselves as members of the early childhood
profession. They know and use ethical guidelines and other professional standards related to early childhood practice. They are
continuous, collaborative learners who demonstrate knowledgeable, reflective and critical perspectives on their work, making
informed decisions that integrate knowledge from a variety of sources. They are informed advocates for sound educational practices
and policies. (NAEYC, 2010)

Brief Description of Evidence:
During the spring semester of 2013 during my ECED 235-Preschool Practicum course, I applied my early childhood
education knowledge into the field by working within a classroom of 3-5 year old children. I began by appropriately introducing
myself and my educational intentions through a letter that was sent home to every students family. Over the course of 16 weeks, I
grew as a professional by developing responsibility within the classroom, relationships with the students, teachers as well as the
families, appropriate behaviors within the work setting, as well as individual skills and dispositions. Halfway and at the end of the
semester I was evaluated based upon my improvements in each area as well as what I needed to work on as a developing
professional. Each artifact demonstrates my professional growth in the early childhood educational field.
Analysis of What I Learned:
Vygotsky believed the environment, especially the community, played a significant role in the development of knowledge. I
agree with this idea because as a growing professional, it is critical to involve oneself with their environment. His model known as
the Zone of Proximal Development does not only apply to children, but also to adults. As a growing professional, I have come to
understand the significance in involving myself socially with my mentor, students, their families, as well as the community. As a
future teacher I understand the importance in knowing how to use the resources around me to better develop as an educator. These
artifacts prove my growth over time and also my involvement in reaching out to families of the students in order to gain
involvement in their learning.
How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the NAEYC Standard:
Throughout my Preschool Practicum course, I was able to identify and conduct myself as part of the early childhood
profession by involving myself with the school and the community. I made it a priority to reach out to my mentor, students,
assistants, families, as well as the community in order to broaden my knowledge on becoming a better child care professional.
Through my introductory letter, I applied ethics to enhance my excitement of how much I want to be a teacher in hopes of appealing
to the families and grasping their interest in welcoming me within the classroom. I also incorporated the NAEYC Code of Ethics with
every aspect of the classroom, ensuring all learning and education went as appropriate as possible. Apart from the classroom, I
conduct myself with other professional standards within early childhood education as I ensure to be the most positive role model
meant for young students. From my practicum I now understand how teaching is a continuous, collaborative learning experience
because I am constantly facing new situations in which Im becoming more knowledgeable and a better critical thinker through
every situation in order to benefit from them and help my students do so as well. Upon understanding the early childhood field, I
now comprehend by making informed decisions, I am able to integrate my knowledge from a variety of sources including mentors,
assistants, students, families, as well as the community, and incorporate all this material and mold it into the most effective and
positive learning experience within the classroom.