Reflective Analysis of Portfolio Artifact

Rationale/Reflection

NAEYC Standard:
NAEYC STANDARD 6. BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL Candidates prepared in early childhood degree
programs identify and conduct themselves as members of the early childhood profession. They know
and use ethical guidelines and other professional standards related to early childhood practice. They are
continuous, collaborative learners who demonstrate knowledgeable, reflective and critical perspectives
on their work, making informed decisions that integrate knowledge from a variety of sources. They are
informed advocates for sound educational practices and policies (NAEYC, 2010).

Brief Description of Evidence:

During the 2017 fall semester of ECED230 The Exceptional Child, a group of students and I participated
in case conferences. During these conferences, we did research based on each topic we were given.
Each of us decided on a part to play during the conferences. To prepare for our conferences our group
would get together to discuss how we would like to handle the conference and some of the ways the
conferences may go. After a few weeks of discussing possible outcomes of the conference and putting
information together on Google Docs, we would set up a time and date for our conference.

Analysis of What I Learned:

I learned that it is very important to use team work when it comes to group projects. When working
with other teachers in the education field it is important that you can all agree on your topics and
decisions. Sometimes you may not always agree on everything but it is important to learn to
compromise with one another. I also learned a lot of new education terms and learned new things that
helped me through this semester in all of my courses and even at my job.

How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the NAEYC Standard:

During this semester, I was able to practice special needs ethics. Being an educator requires all members
of the educational staff to maintain confidentiality. I conducted myself as an early childhood educator by
scheduling and holding conferences with the parents as well continuous communication before the
conference dates. I have followed ethical guidelines by preparing and presenting legal documents
necessary for each conference. I was able to collaborate with my group members to obtain a variety of
reliable sources. From conference to conference I have been able to reflect on my own work. Doing this
has helped me improve the conference that followed with the new strategies that I have obtained. My
goal of each conference was to come to a final decision. It was important for me to compromise when
necessary but also to let the parents know what I feel was best for each child. It was important for me to
be informed when it came to education practices and policies because that allowed me to approach the
parent in a professional and caring manner.