Throughout This Course You Have Had The Opportunity To Obser
Throughout This Course You Have Had The Opportunity To Observe Mrs As
Throughout this course you have had the opportunity to observe Mrs. Ashland, her students, their parents, Mrs. Ford, and Park Lane Early Childhood Education Center. With your degree in reach, it will soon be your turn to become the next Mrs. Ashland or Mrs. Ford. To propel you on your journey, you will be creating an ePortfolio using PowerPoint. This will showcase who you are as an educational professional when you go to a job interview. Remember that portfolios grow as you do, so you will be able to continue to add to and revise your portfolio even after this course is over. This assignment is a culmination of the learning gained throughout this course.
The case study about Mrs. Ashland serves as a reflection of best practices in key early childhood areas for you to utilize as an example. You will need to use PowerPoint to create your ePortfolio. Your portfolio will need to contain the following requirements: Portfolio Table of Contents. Cover Letter: Revise the cover letter you created in the Week Five, Discussion Two forum. Your cover letter should be one page in length. Biography : Write a one-page biography to introduce yourself to potential employers. Make sure to include either a photo of yourself or some images that relate to your professional interests. This is your opportunity to let your potential employer know a little bit about who you are. Model of Teaching : Review your initial response from Week One, Discussion One. Develop a revised position statement regarding what model of teaching you believe fits best with your philosophy of learning. Make sure to include why you believe this model of teaching is the best for you and your students. Add support from a scholarly source here to build credibility about the approach that you believe is best. Your model of teaching should be one page in length. Developmentally Appropriate Practices : Review the feedback from Week One, Discussion Two. Develop a position statement that clearly describes your beliefs on the importance of using developmentally appropriate practices in early childhood education. Your position statement should be one page in length. Approaches to Curriculum: Explain how you will plan your curriculum, using your ideas from the Week Two discussions. In addition, use the feedback provided on the lesson plan rubric from your peers to revise your lesson plan from the Week Two, Discussion Two forum. Include a copy of the newly revised lesson plan. Your curriculum plan should be no longer than a page, not including the lesson plan. Differentiated Common Core or Early Learning Standards Lesson Plan: Review the feedback on your Week Two assignment. Revise your Common Core or Early Learning Standards Lesson Plan. Include a copy of your newly revised lesson plan and the summary paragraph that explains the considerations you took into account when planning. Parent Communication : Develop a plan for ongoing parent communication using your learning about the various forms of parent communication from Week Three, Discussion One. This plan should be one page long. Classroom Organization: Describe your classroom management plan. This can simply be the poster you created for the Week Three, Discussion Two forum, or you can develop a summary of your plan. Your poster or plan should be one page in length. Assessment Plan: Review the Week Four assignment feedback. Choose two of the four assessments from your Week Four assignment to revise and include in your portfolio. Your assessment plan should be two pages in length. Disposition Statement: Review the Week Five, Discussion One feedback. Create your philosophy of the necessary qualities of an early childhood educator. This philosophy should be one page long and reflect your personal beliefs. Plan Professional Development: Professional development plays an important role in the life of an educator. Research different methods of continuing professional development. Develop three statements of commitment as to the types of professional development you plan to engage in over the next year. At least one of your resources for professional development should be online. For each commitment, include a rationale as to why you chose this particular type of professional development and how it will help you to continue to grow as an early childhood educator. This section should be one page in length. Rationale: In this section you will need to look at each component of your portfolio. In three to four sentences, reflect as to how these components demonstrate mastery of one or more of the Program Comprehensive Exam Main Topics. Use your Reflective Journal Template while developing your rationale. Reference Page : Using your textbook and at least five outside scholarly sources helps to strengthen your beliefs as an educational professional. This project, including the 12 required components, should be submitted as a document that contains the hyperlink to your ePortfolio. You are encouraged to be professional and creative with your ePortfolio. The ePortfolio should address the material using college-level writing, critical thought, and APA formatting. In addition, it should include graphics, visuals, and media, as appropriate. Contents should be designed to clearly and concisely address the material with research justification.
Paper For Above instruction
The creation of a comprehensive ePortfolio serves as a vital reflection and demonstration of an aspiring early childhood educator's professional development, philosophy, and preparedness for entering the workforce. This portfolio not only encapsulates the knowledge gained throughout the course but also functions as a dynamic tool for career advancement, showcasing personal insights, pedagogical beliefs, and evidence-based practices tailored to early childhood education.
Introduction and Cover Letter
The portfolio begins with a compelling cover letter, revised from the earlier assignment, highlighting the candidate’s enthusiasm, qualifications, and professional goals. The cover letter is crafted to personalize the applicant’s narrative, providing a first impression aligned with the job’s expectations and emphasizing a strong commitment to early childhood education. It reflects understanding of the institution’s values and illustrates how the applicant’s skills and experiences match their needs.
Biographical Statement
A one-page biography introduces the candidate to potential employers, integrating relevant personal, educational, and professional details. Incorporating images or videos related to professional interests adds a visual dimension, fostering a personal connection. The biography emphasizes the candidate's dedication to fostering positive learning environments and their continuous pursuit of professional growth within early childhood education.
Model of Teaching
The revised model of teaching articulates a clear philosophical stance, substantiated by scholarly literature. For instance, adopting a play-based or child-centered approach aligns with contemporary early childhood pedagogies emphasizing holistic development. The statement articulates why this model resonates personally and professionally, supported by research that underscores its effectiveness in promoting engagement and learning among young children. This model forms a cornerstone of the candidate’s teaching philosophy.
Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP)
The candidate’s position on developmentally appropriate practices underscores their commitment to tailored learning experiences that respect each child's unique developmental timeline. Citing nods to scholarly sources, the statement elaborates on how DAP supports children's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth, emphasizing the importance of responsive and individualized teaching methods in early childhood settings.
Curriculum Planning
Explanation of curriculum planning reflects how the candidate integrates theoretical frameworks and practical feedback to create meaningful, culturally responsive, and flexible curricula. Revising lesson plans based on peer feedback demonstrates reflective practice and commitment to continuous improvement. The plan adheres to standards and incorporates varied instructional strategies to meet diverse learner needs.
Lesson Planning with Standards
The portfolio includes a revised lesson plan aligned with Common Core or Early Learning Standards. The plan details specific learning goals, activities, and assessment strategies, demonstrating an ability to design standards-based instruction that is engaging and inclusive. The reflection paragraph discusses considerations such as cultural responsiveness, differentiation, and developmental appropriateness.
Parent Communication Plan
An articulated strategy for ongoing parent communication emphasizes building strong partnerships with families. The plan incorporates various communication methods, recognizing family diversity and emphasizing transparency, cultural sensitivity, and consistency. It underscores the importance of family engagement in supporting children's learning and well-being.
Classroom Organization and Management
Describing classroom management underscores a proactive approach to creating a positive, inclusive, and safe learning environment. Whether through a visual poster or a written summary, the plan integrates behavioral expectations, routines, and responsive strategies that encourage positive interactions and self-regulation among children.
Assessment Plan
Two assessments have been carefully selected and revised, demonstrating an understanding of formative and summative evaluation methods. The plan explains how assessment informs instruction and supports individual learning trajectories, aligning with best practices in early childhood assessment.
Dispositions and Philosophy
The disposition statement articulates core qualities of effective early childhood educators, such as patience, creativity, cultural competence, and advocacy. This reflective statement conveys personal beliefs about the necessary attributes and ethical responsibilities that underpin quality teaching.
Professional Development Planning
Three commitments to ongoing professional development articulate specific goals for continued growth. Rationales explain why each chosen method—ranging from workshops to online courses—supports strengthening expertise, reinforcing commitment to lifelong learning and reflective practice essential in early childhood education.
Rationale and Reflection
The rationale synthesizes how the components collectively demonstrate mastery of program themes, such as culturally responsive teaching, assessment, and ethical practice. It reflects on personal growth, the importance of reflective practice, and alignment with professional standards, providing a cohesive narrative of development as an early childhood educator.
References
- Feeney, S., Moravcik, E., Nolte, S., & Christensen, D. (2010). Who Am I in the Lives of Children? (8th ed.). Pearson.
- Krogh, S. (2013). A Bridge to the Classroom and Early Care: ECE Capstone. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education.
- Heald, S., & Zaur, J. (2013). Early Childhood Education 430: Week 5, Case Study: Dispositions/Closure. Ashford University.
- Marzano, R. (2012). Becoming a Reflective Practitioner. Marzano Research Laboratory.
- McFarland, L., Saunders, R., & Allen, S. (2009). Reflective Practice and Self-Evaluation in Learning Positive Guidance: Experiences of Early Childhood Practicum Students. Early Childhood Education Journal, 36(6). doi:10.1007/s
- National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2011). Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment. NAEYC.
- Wadlington, E., & Wadlington, P. (2011). Teacher Dispositions: Implications for Teacher Education. Adventures in Education.
- Bloomberg, J., & Volpe, M. (2012). Completing Your Qualitative Dissertation: A Roadmap from Beginning to End.
- Heard, H., & Edmunds, J. (2014). Critical Reflection in the Early Childhood Classroom. Journal of Early Childhood Research.
- U.S. Department of Education. (n.d.). Professional Development: Continuing Education. U.S. DOE.