University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education

PROFESSIONAL SEMESTER THREE

Final Report

* Please TYPE (including comments) DIRECTLY onto this form. Submit a SIGNED, DOUBLE SIDED paper copy.

PS III is a five-course equivalent integrated semester including half-time teaching and professional study in curriculum
design, leadership, advanced methods, and reflective practice. Intern Teachers are assigned full time to schools for the
semester during which they assume responsibility for approximately one-half of the teaching day. PS III professional study
is designed to complement and enhance the internship. The professional study components may occur on or off-campus
and are coordinated by the University Consultants in collaboration with Intern Teachers and school personnel.

Select the course in which you are registered:

Education 4571 Elementary Education Internship
Education 4572 Secondary Education Internship
Education 4576 Native Education Internship
Education 4578 Early Childhood Education Internship
Education 4582 Inclusive Education Internship
Education 4583 Technology in Education Internship

INTERN TEACHER: Melissa Gillam

SCHOOL: Coalhurst Elementary
Grade Level(s): 2/3 multi-age classroom
Teacher Mentor: Emma Lenz
Administrator: Chris McIntyre
University Consultant: Carole L Goodreau

Checklist

Final Conference Date: Date:

Review the Portfolio:

Review the Professional Inquiry Project

Intern Teacher Report and Signature

Teacher Mentor Report and Signature
Administrator Report and Signature
University Consultant Report and Signature

Complete Final Report submitted to Field Experience Office by UC

U of L: PS III Final Report: (Revised: April 2018) Page 1 of 5

 * Please TYPE (including comments) DIRECTLY onto this form.

PROFESSIONAL SEMESTER THREE: Final Report

University Consultant: Carole L Goodreau

Intern Teacher: Melissa Gillam

University Consultant Comments:

I had the pleasure of working with Melissa as her UC while she completed her PS 3 practicum at Coalhurst Elementary in
Coalhurst, Alberta. Melissa was placed in a Grade 2/3 multi age classroom and taught Social Studies, Art, Reading, Writing
(word work) and one unit of PE. Melissa settled in early on to a good working relationship with her teacher mentor and
thoroughly enjoyed her time spent in this school.

Melissa met the requirements of initial planning before the beginning of this internship, and submitted year, unit and daily
lesson plans in late August. I believe Melissa would say her planning became more authentic once she got to know her
students and what they were capable of. She worked early on in the practicum to figure out the pace of a lesson, and came to
know how much she needed to reasonably plan for. Melissa continued refining her planning skills as time went on, reflecting
on what worked well and where changes needed to be made. Her lesson plans had a structure and a flow to them which made
it easy for students to engage with the material. She was always organized and prepared for every lesson.

Melissa communicated effectively with her students. She worked hard to find resources and material that would engage her
students, and used a variety of instructional strategies throughout her teaching. Melissa was adept at making changes on the
fly in a lesson as she felt were necessary. I would encourage Melissa to make sure all students are involved in class
discussions, and to pose questions that all students are required to think about and respond to. Closures are important, and
need to be woven into each lesson. I continue to challenge Melissa to work on effective closures that help students synthesize
material for themselves, and provide her with some feedback about their understanding. She also explored how to be efficient
and effective in her planning, and still be able to spend time outside of teaching for herself and her family.

Melissa became much more comfortable in her classroom leadership. As Melissa is a mother herself, she had a first hand
understanding of this age group and related well. She created positive relationships with students and the classroom climate
was generally positive and conducive to learning. There were some challenging student behaviors in her room, and this
experience will serve her well as she had to try out a variety of strategies to find the most effective ones for the moment. She
monitored the classroom well and was aware of what students were doing. Melissa's professional growth plan was to continue
to grow her repertoire of management strategies.

Melissa learned a great deal about effective assessments and tried a variety of ways to check for her students' understanding
of concepts. She participated in preparing first term report card marks as well as parent teacher interviews. I know she found
it a valuable experience to talk with families and get a new perspective on students. I feel most of the interns would say this is
an area they want to continue to work on to feel more secure in.

Melissa helped out with a running club as part of an extracurricular activity. She also volunteered at a Turkey Bingo and worked
to provide leadership at a Halloween assembly. Melissa loved the feeling of support and collegiality she experienced at
Coalhurst School, and understood how important it was to be a contributing staff member.

Melissa felt a personal strength was her ability to connect with her students and I would agree. She was very calm and
straightforward in her relationships.

Melissa has completed her internship but has two more classes to finish up before graduating. She will be looking to find a
teaching position in the Lethbridge area when her courses are completed. I feel Melissa's maturity and experience as a mother
and a former teaching assistant has given her a realistic idea of what is required to be a successful teacher. She has the
passion to be an effective educator and I wish her the best as she finishes her degree and launches her career.

I have read the complete Final Report and certify that the assigned grade is: PASS

University Consultant Signature Date

U of L: PS III Final Report: (Revised: April 2018) Page 2 of 5