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2020 Spring Assessment Janelle Keller

Janelle Keller is a first grade teacher at Edison Elementary who is currently in Phase II of the school's mentor program. She holds professional teaching certifications in childhood education and early childhood education. The document summarizes Janelle's strengths in various areas of teaching competence based on 16 classroom observations, including her use of differentiated instruction, classroom management techniques, knowledge of curriculum, and participation in professional development activities. Her mentor recommends that she be phased out of the mentor program and offered a full-time teaching position.

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79 views3 pages

2020 Spring Assessment Janelle Keller

Janelle Keller is a first grade teacher at Edison Elementary who is currently in Phase II of the school's mentor program. She holds professional teaching certifications in childhood education and early childhood education. The document summarizes Janelle's strengths in various areas of teaching competence based on 16 classroom observations, including her use of differentiated instruction, classroom management techniques, knowledge of curriculum, and participation in professional development activities. Her mentor recommends that she be phased out of the mentor program and offered a full-time teaching position.

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Mentor Program 

 
Professional Performance Review Board 
Competency Assessment 
 
Name: Janelle Keller  Date: 03/18/20 
 
School: Edison Elementary   
 
Assignment: 1st Grade 
 
Present Phase: Phase II (as of 2nd semester)  
 
Dates of Visitation: 9/12, 9/20, 9/26, 10/1, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 11/12, 11/22, 12/3,  
12/10, 12/17, 1/7, 1/28, 2/12, 2/26 
Collegial Circles: 1/16, 2/5, 3/4 
 
Recommendation: Phase Out 
 
Prepared By: Andy Lueth 
 
Background 
 
Janelle earned a Master’s of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education through 
Medaille College in 2013. She earned an Initial Childhood Certification in 2013, 
and an Early Childhood Extension to teach B-2nd in 2014. Janelle now holds a 
NYS Professional Certification in Childhood Education 1-6, and Early Childhood 
B-2nd. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Buff State in 2012. After 
graduating from Medaille in 2013, Janelle became a day-to-day sub in KenTon, 
and then accepted long-term sub positions in the Buffalo and Starpoint schools. 
Janelle had always wanted to stay in the KenTon school system, but a long-term 
sub position offered steadier employment than did a day-to-day status. 
 
Janelle did an outstanding job as a First Grade Teacher at Edison Elementary. She 
is hoping to stay in KenTon and teach full time again next year and going forward. 
Instructional Practice and Procedures 
 
Janelle reflected on her instructional practices and wrote: 
 
Students learn at different paces. I am always using active research to find 
different techniques and strategies. Some of my students excel in reading, 
while others excel in math. All students are unique and my classroom 
provides a safe place of learning for each of them. 

Janelle went on to list and describe specific examples of strategies relating to, 
amongst other, Math instruction, including: differentiated instruction, small 
group learning, flexible curriculum, peer-to-peer tutoring, partner work, turn 
and talk, and think-pair-share, enrichment activities...etc.   

Janelle is extremely adept at monitoring student achievement and growth, and 


she adjusts her student grouping choices often, to minimize off-task behaviors, 
to challenge them appropriately for their levels and abilities, and to maximize 
successes in learning across the board. Janelle’s students are maturing into 
self-starters, which will serve them well when they move up to second grade. 

 
Classroom Management 
 
Janelle reflected for more than a page on classroom management. In part, she 
wrote: 
 
My classroom management has many layers. Organization is crucial for my 
elementary classroom. Organizing my lessons, all materials, and resources 
allows for a smooth flow of our day.  

Each day, I begin with a reflection of the previous day. The following 
questions organize and guide my instruction: How can I make the day more 
efficient? What lessons did we finish or need to be retaught? How can I 
challenge my students without frustrating others? My students strive off 
my organization, as it provides a safe environment for all learners.  

Time management is another focus of my classroom management. Time 


management helps my students stay on task. My classroom would not flow 
as well without transitions that are smooth. Every lesson begins with a 
review from the last lesson, an introduction through to an ending with an 
assessment/closing for every lesson. This helps my students focus and build 
on their routines. Behaviors are less likely when students know when and 
what to expect.   

Janelle went on to describe how she helps her students to practice patience. She 
also listed her school-wide PBIS program and a behavior clip system as ways in 
which she promotes positive reinforcement and helps kids to consider 
consequences of their actions and choices. Janelle also proactively changes the 
dynamics of her student groups if needed, by changing the physical environment 
of the classroom. For instance, she may place 3 students at a table instead of 4.   

Janelle’s students regularly experience a vibrant mix of visual, auditory and 


kinesthetic learning, in an effort to stimulate multiple intelligences and appeal to 
a variety of learning styles.  

Janelle also maintains effective communication with parents, so there is 


additional support and no surprises. Collectively, these methods and measures, 
as well as thoughtfully considering and planning for a number of small details, 
helps ensure that Janelle’s class is organized, focused, productive, fun and safe.   

Knowledge of Subject Matter 


 
Janelle pays careful attention to developmental appropriateness for all her 
lessons and activities, and she is highly organized around, and very familiar with 
NYS’ First Grade curriculum.   
 
Professional Development 
 
This year, Janelle is participating in the CO II Committee for Edison Elementary. 
The goal of this action research project is to develop and implement alternate 
benchmark assessments. Janelle has also attended trainings this year for 
American Reading, Eureka Math, AIMS web, and a workshop called Teacher 
Self-Care. 
 
Conclusion 
 
By any measure of dedication or professionalism, and on every level of any 
comparison, Janelle embodies and represents the best that teachers have to offer; 
to her students, her school, her district and to her community. I strongly 
recommend that Janelle be phased out of the mentor program and sincerely hope 
that we can offer her a full-time position in KenTon next year, and for the rest of 
her teaching career!   
 
 
Teacher:___________________________________________ 
 
 
Mentor:___________________________________________ 
 
 
Date:_____________________________________________ 

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