Title: KinderCare Reference Letter

Date: Fall 2013

Artifact Description: My artifact is a reference letter I received from the center Director at the
KinderCare Learning Center in Howard, Wisconsin. I worked at the learning center during the
summer months of 2013. While I worked there, I quickly developed relationships with the
directors, fellow teachers, community members, and parents.
ALIGNMENT
Wisconsin Teacher Standard Alignment
I believe this artifact 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 a larger community to support pupil learning and well-being and acts
with integrity, fairness and in an ethical manner. This artifact best aligns with standard ten
because it proves that I have worked well with all of my co-workers. The director of the center
states Molly worked hand in hand with all members of my staff While working at the center, I
also went on several field trips with the teachers and students to different places such as, a local
farms, museums, and wetland reserves, were it required interacting with the coordinators at the
field trip site. In the reference letter the director also states She had the responsibility of
rolling out activities on and off sight on weekly field trips and outings. While on the field trips,
I worked well with the other chaperones, as I made sure to treat everyone fairly as though they
were responsible adults to care for the children.
UW-Platteville School of Education Knowledge, Skill, Disposition Statement
Alignment:
I believe this artifact best aligns with KSD4.c. of the UW-Platteville School of Education
Knowledge, Skill, Disposition Statements which states: The candidate is able to provide
frequent, sensitive and appropriate information to parents and students about students positive
and negative progress within the instructional program and successfully engages family in the
educational process when appropriate. This artifact best aligns with this standard because
families were encouraged to and participated in field trips that correlated with the curriculum we
were learning in the classroom at the time. Providing field trips for the students while
encouraging the parents to participate validates that I engaged the families in educational
practices when appropriate.
Secondary Alignment
KS3.c. Engages students in learning
KS1.d. Demonstrates knowledge of resources
REFLECTION
What I learned about teaching/learning:
This experience has taught me the importance of being able to work well with others both in a
school setting and in public. As standard ten discuses, teachers need to be able to develop
relationships with colleagues, parents, and the community. I learned that it is difficult for parents
to leave their children with someone they dont know and being able to get to know the families
as well as they get to know you is a crucial part in being an educator. As an educator, you are
not only representing yourself as a person but also the school as well. Staying connected with
colleagues, parents, and the community through field trips is a great way to develop
relationships.
What I learned about myself as a prospective educator:

I learned that developing relationships with colleagues, parents, and the community is important
as an educator because people get to know you and who you are as a person. It is important to
not only develop strong, positive relationships with my students but also with their parents and
my colleagues. Being able to know who your colleagues are, will give you the availability to
discuss many things with them such as ideas on lesson plans and how to solve problems. We
can learn from each other and become better educators through collaboration.