December 15, 2003

This week, I spent a lot of time reading the information in my binder about all the entries, so I can get started on them.

Entry 1 is called "Assessment Informs Instruction." For that one, I pick a student in my class, identify an area of weakness, administer an assessment (formal or informal), plan instruction accordingly, and then reflect on the results. I also have to include the student's family in any plan I develop.

Entry 2 is called "Fostering Communications Development;" it requires a 15 minute videotape. For this entry, I have to identify a student who has a communication or literacy goal and then draw on a range of resources to help me further that student's literacy or communication learning. I need to show that in my classroom, the student is engaged and feels safe enough to take risks in the learning process.

Entry 3 is called "Enhancing Social Development;" it has to do with furthering a student's social learning and facilitating his or her participation in a group environment. I need to focus on the student's strengths when I create my plan for accomplishing that goal. That entry also requires a 15-minute videotaped lesson.

The last entry is called "Documented Accomplishments;" it's the one I have almost completed. In that entry, I have to demonstrate my work in three areas: as a partner with the student's families, as a learner, and finally as a leader.

My next step is to pick a student for my assessment entryand I know just who it will be!

Meet Nicole Chiarello Nicole Chiarello received her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University at Buffalo, of the State University of New York, in May 1994 and her master's degree in special education, learning and behavior disorders from Buffalo State College in December 1996. For the remainder of the 1996-1997 academic year, Nicole worked as an inclusion teacher at Niagara-Wheatfield Senior High School in Sanborn, N.Y. For the past six years, she has taught a district-wide special education program for three-to-five students with emotional and behavioral concerns at Bradford Elementary School in Westerly, Rhode Island. Nicole was named Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year in 2000. She is currently serving on a district team focusing on social, emotional, and behavioral concerns in the classroom.

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