Calvin College

Midterm Elementary Student Teaching Evaluation

Student Teacher: Gibbs, Erin

Date of Experience: Spring Semester (February - May, 2017) Mentor Teacher: Makarewicz,
Amanda

School: St. Stephen School City: East Grand Rapids, MI

College Supervisor: Rysdam, Jen Grade Level: 6/8/2017

Subject Areas: Math and Science

Date: 3/17/2017 9:04:19 AM

Rating Key: Please rate the teacher candidate in the following areas; selecting the number
that best describes his/her knowledge and performance.
4: Student exceeded expectations.
3: Student met expectations.
2: Student showed some inconsistency in meeting expectations.
1: Student failed to meet expectations.
N: Not observed.

1. The teacher candidate is knowledgeable in the

relevant content areas. Rating
Only rate subjects which the candidate taught.
1.1Reading/Language Arts N/A
1.2 Writing N/A
1.3 Mathematics 3
1.4 Social Studies N/A
1.5 Science 3
1.6 Bible/Religious Studies N/A
1.7 Other subject areas:
Chinese N/A
Computer Skills N/A
ESL N/A
Fine Arts (Art, Music, Theater) N/A
French N/A
German N/A
Health N/A
Physical Education N/A
Spanish N/A
Speech N/A
Other

Please comment on the candidates knowledge in relevant content areas.

Erin has a very in depth understanding of the content areas. In the rare case where she might
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not be as familiar with concepts she takes the time to review for herself in order to have an in
depth understanding.

2. The teacher candidate takes into account the multiple

factors that influence student learning. The candidate: Rating

2.1 Is responsive to the developmental and ability factors that

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influence student learning and classroom climate.
2.2 Understands contextual factors, such as culture, race,
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socioeconomic status and gender that impact student achievement.
2.3 Reflects upon existing educational structures, policies, and
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issues and is aware of current reform efforts.

Please comment on the candidates understanding of the multiple factors

that influence student learning.

Erin is very aware that there are many factors that can influence a student's learning. She has
asked me questions about student's backgrounds to get an understanding of what each student
has going on. She is also very observant of the students and has adapted her interactions and
teaching in order to help each student learn.

3. The teacher candidate creates and delivers effective

lessons and appropriate assessments that are meaningful for Rating
all students. The candidate:
3.1 Translates standards and curriculum into appropriate goals and
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plans.
3.2 Creates daily goals and plans that take into account students
diverse abilities and developmental levels as well as culture, race, 3
socioeconomic status, and gender.
3.3 Uses a variety of instructional approaches and teaching
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strategies.
3.4 Adjusts and revises instruction based on student responses and
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needs.
3.5 Makes good use of a variety of instructional resources. 3
3.6 Integrates information technology appropriately into instruction
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and assessment.
3.7 Helps students use technology in their learning. 3
3.8 Uses a variety of assessment procedures, both formal and
informal, formative and summative, to evaluate teaching and 3
learning.

Please comment on the candidates ability to create effective lessons,

including appropriate assessments, that are meaningful for all learners.

Erin is very thorough in her lesson planning. She takes the time to plan lessons that have a
variety of approaches to the content. Erin does not stick to one way of teaching information,
she incorporates activities, group work, movement and technology, which allows for each

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student to get the content in a way that is best for the individual.

4. The teacher candidate demonstrates professionalism and

care for students. Rating
4.1 Candidate communicates effectively. The candidate:
4.1.1 Communicates appropriately in speaking, writing, and
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listening with students from diverse groups.
4.1.2 Communicates appropriately in speaking, writing, and listening
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with parents and guardians from diverse groups.
4.1.3 Demonstrates appropriate communication skills in speaking,
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writing and listening with other professionals from diverse groups.
4.1.4 Demonstrates the ability to compromise and problem solve. 3
4.1.5 Demonstrates ability to use technology to effectively support
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reporting and communication.

Please comment on the candidates professionalism and care for students as

demonstrated in his/her communication.

Erin demonstrates professionalism and care for the students in all that she does. Her interaction
with students shows the students that she doesn't just care about the lesson that needs to be
taught but also about the student in general. She is very aware that a key to success in the
classroom is building a relationship with each student. Although Erin hasn't had to do much
communication with parents, the times that she has it has always been professional.

4.2 Candidate demonstrates appropriate dispositions and

behaviors. Rating
The candidate:
4.2.1 Exhibits moral and ethical behavior. 3
4.2.2 Approaches teaching with enthusiasm, energy and initiative. 4
4.2.3 Completes all tasks in a high quality manner. 4
4.2.4 Manages the time demands and other stresses of teaching
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effectively.
4.2.5 Identifies strengths and weaknesses of his/her own
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professional practice based on critical reflection.
4.2.6 Receives feedback from students, parents, and colleagues and
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adapts performance appropriately.
4.2.7 Transfers new understandings appropriately to personal
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teaching practices.
4.2.8 Participates in the professional community of the school and
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college.
4.2.9 Exhibits concern for the wants and needs of others. 3
4.2.10 Demonstrates care for students psychological and social
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well-being.

Please comment on the candidates professionalism and care for students as

demonstrated in his/her dispositions and behaviors.

Erin shows enthusiasm and energy in all that she does. Anyone entering the classroom would

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see very quickly that she is passionate about all aspects of being in a classroom. Whether it is
interacting with students or teaching a lesson her enthusiasm and energy shows! Erin does an
excellent job managing her time and the stresses of all that is involved in teaching. She
recognizes the importance of taking the time to prepare well thought out lessons and the
importance of adapting lessons to meet the current needs of the class.

4.3 Candidate develops positive and productive learning

communities. Rating
The candidate:
4.3.1 Knows and implements school policies. 3
4.3.2 Creates a positive classroom climate that promotes openness,
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mutual respect, and caring.
4.3.3 Communicates and puts into practice clear expectations for
student behavior, promoting self-discipline and ensures a safe 3
environment for students.
4.3.4 Demonstrates flexibility in facilitating routines and transitions
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and in responding to unexpected occurrences.

Please comment on the candidates professionalism and care for students as

demonstrated in his/her ability to develop positive and productive learning
communities.

From the first days in the classroom Erin has stepped in and shown the students that she has
high expectations but also cares. She is excellent at reading individuals as well as the class to
make sure there is a positive classroom climate. Erin know that sometimes this means a lesson
might need to be put aside in order to promote the positive classroom environment. Erin
recognizes the importance of all of these factors contributing to successful learning.

5. The teacher candidate can describe how faith (worldview) impacts the
way they teach and learn.

Please respond to ONE of the prompts below, based on whether your school
is publicly funded or faith-based.

Faith-Based Schools: Teacher candidates at Calvin College are nurtured and

challenged to develop an understanding of how the Bible informs their
teaching, content, and vision for education and its connection to society.
Please comment on how well the teacher candidate articulates and enacts
this understanding.

Publicly Funded Schools: Teacher candidates at Calvin College are nurtured

and challenged to develop a principled perspective that informs their
teaching, content, and vision for education and its connection to society.
Please comment on how well the teacher candidate articulates and enacts
this perspective.

Erin has often discussed how faith can play into the classroom even when the subjects might
not easily lend themselves to an obvious faith connection. Erin has very specifically approached
integrating faith into the classroom environment, has incorporated it in her communication with
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 students and has regularly shown the students that her faith and theirs is important to her.

Summary Comments:

Erin is what I would call a natural teacher. She recognizes the importance of building
relationships with students which will lead to a positive classroom environment, which in turn
leads to successful students. She puts effort into all that she does, she strives to find
meaningful ways to facilitate the learning in the classroom. She is able to adapt quickly to the
changes in the classroom. Whether it is changes that need to be made based on observations
of the class, or changes that just happen in schedules, she shows the flexibility that is
necessary to be a successful teacher.

Questions about this form? Email Gwen Buteyn in Calvins Education

Department: gb23@calvin.edu .

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