Strengths/Weaknesses
When I initially evaluated myself, I put myself at a higher level than what I was. As I went through the Induction process I learned I still have some developing to do to be at the level I originally thought. My areas of strength are the environment I create for my students. We bring the deaf culture into our classroom and follow deaf culture norms. Students sit in a U-shape to promote visual learning and input, flash the lights for attention, and be sure to use visual cues for learning.
An area of weakness I am focussing on strengthening is organizing subject matter for student learning. I like to use the curriculum that is laid out already, but I know there is a way that it can be organized to reach the needs of my students. I would also like to organize this curriculum into an online platform so my students have constant access to the curriculum and practice videos. One class period a day is not enough to develop a second language, especially a visual one.
An area of weakness I am focussing on strengthening is organizing subject matter for student learning. I like to use the curriculum that is laid out already, but I know there is a way that it can be organized to reach the needs of my students. I would also like to organize this curriculum into an online platform so my students have constant access to the curriculum and practice videos. One class period a day is not enough to develop a second language, especially a visual one.
Professional Goal
Over my career, I want to build a bridge between my ASL students and their local community. I want them to feel a "burden" for advocacy of the deaf and rid the world of Audism. Students in my class will be fluent enough in ASL to express their concerns and work with deaf people to close the gap between hearing and deaf worlds. I want my students to apply their knowledge beyond the classroom. As I go through my career, I will work to build working relationships with the local deaf community and higher education to establish events we can host together. My success with these events will mark what I need to work on for the days ahead.
[Mrs. Flores] works to connect students to the culture and experience of the deaf community and builds an understanding and empathy that will extend far beyond high school for her students.
-Ms. Estrada, Hesperia High School Principal
To new teachers, passion is the backbone to this profession. There are definitely days when it feels like everything and everyone is against you, but the passion you have for your students to learn and learn your specific content will be rewarding. When