Caitlin Smith

LeADERS

 Reflect on professional development opportunities in which you have participated

during your internship by providing a brief description of each opportunity,
including the networking connections made during the event. What new
knowledge, skills, and abilities did you gain by participating in these professional
development opportunities? Describe how these opportunities have shaped your
views of your major/minor and your career goals. If possible, include pictures or
video of the event(s).

I completed TLED 301 to satisfy the LeADERS requirement for academic internship.

TLED 301 required a thirty-hour observation in a local elementary school. I completed

my thirty-hour observation at Red Mill Elementary in a second grade classroom. Red Mill

Elementary is a public school located in Virginia Beach. I had the opportunity to interact

with students and teachers alike during my time at Red Mill. I developed knowledge

about working with students as an educator. My mentor offered advice about the daily

school routine and I was able to witness how the classroom operated on a daily basis. I

also had the opportunity to go to many different types of meetings including

parent/teacher conferences, curriculum development, and daily planning. These types of

meetings are crucial to the daily routine of school. Curriculum development and planning

requires collaboration between teachers. I was able to witness professionals

collaborating and creating for the success of student academics. I developed skills that

will help me as a future educator and to operate my own classroom successfully. I also

developed skills to help me collaborate not only with my peers but also my students. The

opportunity to observe a well functioning classroom is crucial for a teaching major.

Completing TLED 301 made me excited for my major and continuing my education as a

future elementary school teacher.

 Reflect on the relationship between prior coursework/learning and the duties and
responsibilities of your internship by comparing the content of at least 2 previous
courses with the duties and responsibilities of your internship. What were your
position responsibilities? How did your college course work prepare you for this
 type of work? What prior knowledge/experience were you missing prior to your
internship? How did your internship experience affect your career and academic
goals?

I also completed TLED 430 and SPED 313 before my observation. TLED 430 covers

instructional technology for grades K-12 and SPED 313 pertains to child development

from birth to adolescence. TLED 430 required me to complete lesson plans, develop

technology skills for the classroom, and create activities for students via technology. This

was a great experience prior to entering the classroom. I felt I was able to identify and

create activities that were exciting and useful for students. I also learned how to

differentiate activities for diverse learners. SPED 313 required me to become

knowledgeable about child growth and development. This is crucial for understanding

your students as a teacher. Understanding how child are developing helps an educator

better understand how the child will best learn in the classroom. SPED 313 required me

to research and report my research via writing and projects about child growth and

development. I feel prior to TLED 301 (my academic internship), I was missing actual

interactions with students and other teachers. Actually entering the classroom gave me

great experience and a better understanding. My academic internship was vital for me as

an IDS-Teacher Prep major.