Artifact Reflection

Title: Paraprofessional Certification

Date: November 2012
Artifact Description:
The following artifact is a certificate from the Illinois State Board of Education verifying my
accreditation as a State and No Child Left Behind Approved Paraprofessional. It is authorized by
the Region 8 Office of Educations Superintendent and states that I have met the requirements
to be a Paraprofessional in the state of Illinois. In addition, I have included a copy of my
Examinee Score Report to show the results of my assessment. Also, a staff directory from
Orangeville Community Unit School District #203 is included as an artifact to confirm my
employment during the spring of the 2012-2013 school year.
ALIGNMENT
Wisconsin Teacher Standard Alignment:
This certificate best aligns with standard ten of the Wisconsin Teacher Development and
Licensure Standards which states: The teacher fosters relationships with school colleagues,
parents and agencies in the larger community to support pupil learning and well-being and acts
with integrity, fairness and in an ethical manner. This certificate aligns with standard ten
because it allowed me to serve as an aide in a first grade classroom and foster relationships
with school colleagues and parents to support students learning and well-being. The Examinee
Score Report and my employment at Orangeville prove my ability to collaborate with others,
including the Regional Office of Education as well as the Orangeville School District. It shows I
am capable of actively pursuing requirements needed for employment and that I understand
schools as an organization and recognize their operating systems. My experience as an aide
allowed me to consult with other adults regarding the education and well-being of the students I
was working with. Working with other professionals also permitted me to improve the overall
learning environment for students. This is important because collaboration with educational
professionals, as well as parents and even the community, helps to maximize student takeaway.
UW-Platteville School of Education Knowledge, Skill, Disposition Statement Alignment
This certificate best aligns with KSD4.e of the UW-P School of Education Knowledge, Skill and
Disposition statements which says: The candidate is aware of opportunities for professional
development to improve content knowledge and pedagogical skill and can take an active role in
assisting other educators. This certificate aligns with this standard because I was able to pass
a test, obtain a job and work as an aide with first grade children. I was aware of the opportunity
to gain professional development through employment in the Orangeville School District. This
experience improved my content knowledge and allowed me to take an active role in assisting
other educators.
Secondary Alignment:
KSD4.f Showing Professionalism
KSD4.c Communicating with Families
REFLECTION
What I learned about teaching/learning:

Obtaining this certification and applying for a job in the Orangeville School District made me
realize how much effort goes into education before the learning process even begins. I felt like I
got off pretty easy knowing I only had to pass one test in order to work as an aide. Through my
collaboration with my colleagues at Orangeville, as well as from my own journey to become an
educator, I know that there are many more assessments to complete and procedures to follow
before I am able to call a class my own. However, my time as an aide in first grade was such a
great opportunity for me to observe, assist and serve students. I understand even more the
importance of knowing a students learning style and teaching to it. With a classroom full of
extremely diverse students, both socially and academically, it was very important to be alert and
adjust teaching and disciplinary styles as needed. A teacher most certainly must be responsive
to his/her students needs and try his/her hardest to create the most optimal learning
environment. This experience allowed me to foster relationships with school colleagues and
parents to support students learning and well-being. It shows I am capable of actively pursuing
requirements needed for employment and that I understand schools as an organization and I
recognize their operating systems.
What I learned about myself as a prospective educator:
Not only did earning my Paraprofessional certification prove my ability to sufficiently pass tests,
but also that I am capable of selling myself in an interview to acquire a job. Although I did not
have much competition for my position as an aide in the Orangeville School District, it was
wonderful to gain interview experience to practice my composure and conduct with educational
professionals. I learned that I am able to thrive in such an environment and create many
professional and personal connections along the way. As I continue on to my prospective
licensure stages, I can go ahead with confidence that no matter how difficult a class may prove
to be, education can still take place with endurance and a considerable amount of creativity.