My innovation project update

"Leadership is not about being in charge. It's about taking care of those in your charge. True change happens when you lead with empathy, understanding, and genuine connection."
— Simon Sinek

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As a participant in the ADL program, I've had the opportunity to work on an innovation project that has become an integral part of my curriculum. Through this process, I've realized how an ePortfolio can give me a unique voice and ownership over my learning journey. By documenting and reflecting on each step, I can see the growth in my teaching practices and the development of my students. This tool allows me to share my insights but also helps me track how I can implement these experiences in my kindergarten classroom. I'm excited to reflect on how this ePortfolio has evolved and how it empowers me to engage my students in meaningful ways, giving them a platform to express their voices.

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Empowering Growth: A Journey of Reflection and Transformation Through My ePortfolio

Creating my ePortfolio was an eye-opening experience that allowed me to reflect extensively on my development as an educator. Initially, I envisioned it as a tool for organizing my work, but it has now evolved into a platform for documenting my journey and thoughts and changing teaching approaches. Consistent documentation and reflection have helped me better understand blended learning, student involvement, and language growth.

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The ePortfolio has provided me with a platform to present my work and the ability to track my development and its influence on my students. It has become a valuable tool for connecting my development with my teaching practices, allowing me to stay focused on continual improvement.

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My proposal integrates blended learning and the COVA approach to create a personalized and engaging learning environment in my kindergarten classroom. Designed to foster student ownership and independence, it supports the development of critical skills for the future. I sought feedback from my coworkers to refine and adapt the approach, ensuring it meets my students’ needs. This collaborative effort encourages a growth mindset, inspiring curiosity and empowering students to take charge of their learning.

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The "why" behind my concept is the belief that every child deserves to take ownership of their education and grow with confidence. The Four Disciplines of Execution and the Influencer Model were essential in refining my plan’s execution. They clearly focused on goal-setting, accountability, and progress tracking while offering strategies to motivate students and colleagues. These frameworks helped refine my approach, ensuring it would have the lasting impact I envisioned.

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To strengthen my approach, I utilized the Understanding by Design (UBD) method, which allowed me to focus on the desired outcomes and then plan activities that align with those goals. I began by defining what I wanted my students to achieve and worked to ensure every step of the learning process contributed to that goal. I then created a detailed Fink’s Three Column Table to connect my objectives, activities, and assessments, ensuring a cohesive and purposeful learning experience. As I progressed through the ADL program, I developed an Action Research Plan, which I continually refined based on ongoing reflections and feedback. This process enabled me to design a more effective and engaging classroom strategy, culminating in Professional Learning on integrating blended learning and the COVA approach into their teaching practices.

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Current Progress

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I am nearing the end of implementing and improving my innovation project, which has a solid foundation. The following phase evaluates the content, organization, and assessment techniques. Documenting the process has been critical, and I will solicit input from students and colleagues to identify areas for development and success. This feedback will help shape future improvements. As I plan for next year's implementation, I'll reflect on the current cycle's accomplishments and challenges and use that information to change methods and resources for better results.

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Next Step: Building on Progress and Refining the Approach

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Moving forward, my primary focus will be further refining and enhancing the blended learning model with the COVA approach in my kindergarten classroom. I will integrate the Cognate-Based Language Instruction (CBLI) strategies to strengthen vocabulary development. I will allow my students to connect new science terms with their native language through cognates, visual aids, and clear definitions. This approach will foster more profound comprehension, retention, and meaningful language growth.

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Additionally, I plan to assess the effectiveness of these strategies by continuously gathering feedback from my students and colleagues. This will help me identify areas for improvement and refine the approach based on their insights. By continuously reflecting on my teaching practices and staying responsive to my student's needs, I aim to create a more engaging and impactful learning experience. I am excited to share these developments in my upcoming presentation and look forward to using this feedback to strengthen the innovation project for future implementation.