Michael Ducie

EDUG 787
Professor Bernstein
8 December 2014

Final Growth Statement

Going through this semester and Professor Bernsteins class has

been extremely beneficial to me as I continue growing as an educator. I
have never been more challenged or had more responsibility than I did
this semester. Having work and graduate school everyday taught me
how to manage my time and prioritize. Before this semester, I could
never see myself teaching children any younger than 2nd grade. This
semester, teaching in the pre-school has made me realize that I could
be comfortable in any classroom setting and with any grade.
Manhattan College has prepared me so well for my transition into a
classroom. Understanding and being able to asses students will be
critical to my development as an educator and the information and
strategies I learned this semester will be invaluable to me moving
forward.
Going into this semester, I would not have been able to
administer a standardized test effectively or be able to convert raw
scores into standard scores. This class was able to improve both my
knowledge of different types of evaluations and there components, as

well as my ability to administer and evaluate said evaluations.

Professor Bernstein used engaging hands-on lessons that
demonstrated good teacher practice and simplified the professional
language that I am still becoming accustomed to. The information I
learned was extremely applicable to the classroom and I was able to
practice administering the WIAT III to a student. I also learned about
RTI and efficient strategies for tracking and recording behaviors in the
classroom. I became more familiarized with IEPs, as well as the referral
process.
Overall, I have really grown as an educator this semester. I am a
better science and social studies teacher, I have learned a variety of
ways to assess students and read IEPs, and I have become more
organized and a better manager of my own time. There is obviously
still plenty of ways for me to continue to improve myself, as there
always will be, but getting my foot in the door was extremely beneficial
to me. It was easily the most difficult 4 months I think I have ever had,
but it confirmed that I want to be a teacher for the rest of my life.
Despite long days and nights, lack of sleep, and not having a hint of
anything resembling free time, I enjoyed myself. I love what I do. I look
forward to the new challenges I will face when I start student teaching
in a special education classroom next semester. I know that Professor
Bernstein and Manhattan College has prepared me well.