To be an effective teacher of literacy, one must continually develop best-practice teaching strategies to encourage and help students become readers and writers. An effective teacher must be able to teach literacy to all levels of individuals, including those with special needs. It is also important to be an innovative classroom manager and a teacher who accommodates various learning styles. Throughout my Literacy and Special Education Master's program I have grown as a teacher of literacy and deepened my knowledge of Positive Behavior and Supports Interventions as well as classroom management. Please check out the following artifacts and presentations displaying my experience and knowledge with Literacy, Special Education, and Classroom Management.
/Katie Thills's Master's Showcase
Accommodating
Struggling
Writers
Authentic
Literacy
Experiences
Literacy Work
Photo by Frida Kahlo
As a Elementary Spanish teacher it is important to expose young students to diverse cultural experiences, which can be done through interactive reading and writing activities. This example showcases a brief introductory PowerPoint on Frida Kahlo which is followed by a writing activity where students create a detailed description of one of Frida Kahlo's self-portraits. Then, students paint their own self-portraits and write a persuasive narrative about their painting to "sell" in a gallery walk game. Student's should take ownership of their own writing piece and become motivated when they are able to share their writing.
To increase our student's writing abilities it is imperative to focus on each individual students' needs and provide them with the appropriate tools and support according to their level. I continually implement best-practice strategies in my classroom including the use of writer's workshops and effective student-teacher writing conferences for all of my students.
Sharing
Award
Winning
Books
Improving
English
Proficiency
I believe award books are beneficial to our classroom lessons and libraries. Meaning they are being used in an efficient manner whether it be motivating readers, bringing awareness to new themes, or improving literacy for our students. In my classroom we perform various project-based learning cultural activities based on Hispanic books and authors who have won many of these prestigous awards.
I have multiple English Language Learners and English Second Language Learners in my Spanish classroom (ELL/ESL). I have performed Case studies on many of these individuals and a complete Literacy Analysis on one individual. With these students I incorporate ELL/ESL techniques and strategies for making grade-level material comprehensible while also promoting their English language development.
Special Education Work
Incorporating technology has an impact on the language and communication skills of children with ASD. In my lesson plans, I implement computer-animated Spanish vocabulary tools/website and also incorporate video modeling for Spanish conversation and dialogue scenarios. To further make accomodations for our students with ASD, I collaborate with fellow teachers and create schedules for students to post in all our classrooms.
Technology
Interventions
for students
with ASD
Video by ModelMeKids
Transition
Plans
for students
with ASD
In order to successfully transition and place a student from special education into a general education multiple steps need to be implemented before a placement is decided. I have had first-hand experience with this process. I feel lucky to work in a school that involves Intermediate School District employees and an Austism Spectrum Disorders program, because otherwise I would not have the opportunity to dive this deep into the evaluation process and see how long it truly takes to place a child in a specific program.
PBIS and Management
Implementing
Positive
Behavior
Interventions &
Supports
PBIS is a non-curricular universal prevention strategy that aims to alter the school environment by creating improved systems; for example, discipline, reinforcement, and data management. I believe PBIS will promote positive change in our staff and student behaviors. It is an evidence-based academic and behavior practice that can improve the academic and behavior outcomes of our students.
Incorporating
Classroom
Management
Strategies
Created by Katie Thill
Throughout my teaching career the aspects of my management style have evolved to fit the needs of my classroom. I focus my classroom management style on five aspects including rules and procedures, physical arrangment, student and teacher relationships, collaboration vs. independent time, and instructional plannning and assessments. Providing these structures as well as allowing students to have choices on the routine of our classroom promotes a positive atmosphere for learning.