School of Education Portfolio

University of Wisconsin Platteville

Artifact Reflection
Title of Experience/Artifact:

SHI Project and AP Teaching

Date Experience Completed:

Spring and Fall 2014

Describe your educational experience/artifact:

This was my first experience with the business aspect of physical education. I had no idea what
to expect going into this project. This was easily one of the most difficult projects that I have
worked on during my four years at Platteville. I learned that collaboration with your peers and
other school members is a necessity. The SHI project taught me that there are some aspects of
teaching that you cannot complete or do by yourself. I have a great deal of respect for the
teachers who are willing to take advantage of the opportunities that can be available if you are
willing to work beyond 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
I am working one on one or one on two in cooperation with the elementary school treadmill
program at Westview Elementary School in Platteville. I work with students on the treadmill to
help reduce behavioral issues and Focus. I am able to work with the students for twenty minutes
on the treadmill doing both locomotor and manipulative skills. I am working with Mr.
Woodworth the physical education teacher at the school. Mr. Woodworth provided me with a
document which discusses the reasons for the treadmill program and provides various activities
and skill practice concepts that can be used with the students while on the treadmill. I enjoy
being able to participate in this awesome program with the elementary school.
Wisconsin Teacher Standard Alignment

The standard that I would align this artifact to would be standard 10, Collaboration: teachers are
connected with other teachers and the community. This standard is the epitome of a project such
as a SHI. You need other teachers and school board members to support you and assist in
projects like this one. The completion of a SHI shows that the teachers are working towards
improving pupil learning. The treadmill program at Westview Elementary School aligns with
standard 10, Collaboration, because I am working in conjunction with the school and the
physical education department to participate in this program. I am using and teaching the skills
provided to me from the school. I have been working with Mr. Woodworth in order to complete a
context for learning sheet on the school and I am reviewing my lesson plans with Mr.
Woodworth prior to my teaching lessons.

UW-Platteville School of Education Knowledge, Skills, Dispositions Alignment

The domain that I would align this artifact to would be domain 4, Professional Responsibilities. I
would say that KS4a. Reflects on teaching, is the perfect KSD for this project. From the
beginning of the survey to the grant usage, the teacher must reflect on the outcomes of their
teaching and find ways to improve upon their results. Every year the teacher has to assess what
they are doing and what they can do better. As technologies and times change so should the
instructional strategies and content knowledge.
I believe that this artifact addresses KSD KS2.d. Manages Student Behavior, because I am
working with the school treadmill program to help students improve behavior and focus in class.

The students that I work with were selected for treadmill, because it is believed that they could
benefit from participating in the treadmill program. Therefore I believe that my primary
responsibility is to help manage student behavior.
Explain what you learned about teaching/learning from this experience:

I learned that teaching is so much more than xs and os or running and playing. This project was
very intense and demanding. A SHI and grant applications are very time consuming, but the end
result can be something amazing. If you learn to become a skilled grant writer then there is no
limit to the funding that you can obtain for your school. A bigger budget means more and better
equipment for your students. As a prospective teacher it is my responsibility to put my students
in the best position to succeed.
I learned that when working with students it is important to have a strong classroom management
plan. If you dont have a good classroom management plan, then the students will pick up on this
and it may be difficult to address behavioral issues. When you have good management skills the
students know what to expect and you have a protocol in place for specific situations.
Explain what you learned about yourself as a prospective educator as a result of this
experience/artifact:

I learned that I have a lot more to learn. I was getting to the point that I was starting to feel
comfortable about teaching soon. Upon completion of this project I now know that I have much
to learn. I know that this aspect of teaching plays a huge role in many of the school districts in
southwest Wisconsin where funding can be limited. This was a wonderful learning experience
for me and I am thankful for the opportunity to further my abilities as a prospective teacher. I
would definitely recommend this experience to other prospective teaching candidates.
I learned that my students benefit a great deal from the treadmill program. When I am a teacher, I
will have to find creative and new ways to help my students in any way possible. The treadmill
program is a very creative and beneficial method to assist the students and their teachers. The
students are able to focus better in class and the teachers dont have to struggle with the students
inattentiveness and misbehavior due to their high energy levels. My school will appreciate my
desire to seek out any way to improve student learning and engagement.