| PYROTEACHNIC BLOG RESUME PHILOSOPHY LIBERAL ARTS ENGLISH STANDARDS RESOURCES |
WHAT'S THIS?
As part of the certification requirements at Mount Mary College, educators in training are required to produce an electronic portfolio. You are currently viewing the "Personal Skills" section of my portfolio, which contains reflective statements and links to artifacts which illustrate my abilities in the key areas of communication, interpersonal relations, responsibility, reflective thinking, and integrity and commitment.
home
If you would like to contact me regarding the content of this site or to request more information, please feel free. I welcome any comments or suggestions for improvement, too!
contact
QUOTES ABOUT COMMUNICATION
There is more than a verbal tie between the words common, community, and communication . . . Try the experiment of communicating, with fullness and accuracy, some experience to another, especially if it be somewhat complicated, and you will find your own attitude toward your experience changing. - John Dewey
Self-expression must pass into communication for its fulfillment. - Pearl S. Buck
The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention . . . A loving silence often has far more power to heal and to connect than the most well-intentioned words. - Rachel Naomi Remen
Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing. - Rollo May
If I am to speak ten minutes, I need a week for preparation; if fifteen minutes, three days; if half an hour, two days; if an hour, I am ready now. - Woodrow Wilson
We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak. - Epictetus
Communication works for those who work at it. - John Powell
Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after. - Anne Morrow Lindburgh
The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives - Anthony Robbins
We shall never be able to remove suspicion and fear as potential causes of war until communication is permitted to flow, free and open, across international boundaries. - Harry Truman
Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. - Winston Churchill
The pen is mightier than the sword. - Edward Bulwer-Lytton
We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out. - Ray Bradbury
I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen. - Ernest Hemingway
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Clothes and manners do not make the man; but when he is made, they greatly improve his appearance. - Henry Ward Beecher
QUOTES ABOUT INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results. - Andrew Carnegie
A group becomes a team when each member is sure enough of himself and his contribution to praise the skills of the others. - Vince Lombardi
Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. - Henry Ford
If I could solve all the problems myself, I would. - Thomas Edison
Synergy is the highest activity of life; it creates new untapped alternatives; it values and exploits the mental, emotional, and psychological differences between people. - Stephen Covey
A group becomes a team when each member is sure enough of himself and his contribution to praise the skills of the others. - Norman Shidle
Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together. - Vesta M. Kelly
One must either take an interest in the human situation or else parade before the void. - Jean Rostand
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. - John Donne
QUOTES ABOUT RESPONSIBILITY
You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of. - Jim Rohn
The willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life is the source from which self-respect springs. - Joan Didion
By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail. - Benjamin Franklin
Chance favors the prepared mind. - Louis Pasteur
Let's make a dent in the universe. - Steve Jobs
Things may come to those who wait, but only things left by those who hustle. - Abraham Lincoln
Presence is more than just being there. - Malcolm S. Forbes
Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
The art of life is a constant readjustment to our surroundings. - Kakuzo Okakaura
In war as in life, it is often necessary when some cherished scheme has failed, to take up the best alternative open, and if so, it is folly not to work for it with all your might. - Winston Churchill
QUOTES ABOUT REFLECTIVE THINKING
Look within! . . . The secret is inside you. - Hui-neng
One of the greatest moments in anybody's developing experience is when he no longer tries to hide from himself but determines to get acquainted with himself as he really is. - Norman Vincent Peale
Seeing within changes one's outer vision. - Joseph Chilton Pearce
The unexamined life is not worth living. - Socrates
By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. - Confucius
Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action. - James Levin
Be harsh with yourself at times. - Seneca
The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection. - Thomas Paine
Education begins the gentleman, but reading, good company and reflection must finish him. - John Locke
QUOTES ABOUT INTEGRITY & COMMITMENT
Men of integrity, by their very existence, rekindle the belief that as a people we can live above the level of moral squalor. We need that belief; a cynical community is a corrupt community. - John W. Gardner
It's not what we eat but what we digest that makes us strong; not what we gain but what we save that makes us rich; not what we read but what we remember that makes us learned; and not what we profess but what we practice that gives us integrity. - Sir Francis Bacon
First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do. - Epictetus
It is not worth an intelligent man's time to be in the majority. By definition, there are already enough people to do that. - G. H. Hardy
You can stand tall without standing on someone. You can be a victor without having victims. - Harriet Woods
The person that loses their conscience has nothing left worth keeping. - Izaak Walton
Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got. - Janis Joplin
What a man does, that he has. What has he to do with hope or fear? In himself is his might. Let him regard no good as solid but that which is in his nature, and which must grow out of him as long as he exists. The goods of fortune may come and go like summer leaves; let him scatter them on every wind as the momentary signs of his infinite productiveness. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
PERSONAL SKILLS
Being an educator involves more than the recitation of learned knowledge -- teaching requires a person to not only know their subject, but also to communicate content effectively while establishing rapport with a variety of individuals and groups. He or she must be committed to an extraordinarily tough task, and have the responsibility and integrity needed to meet the demands of empowering the next generation to succeed. Most of all, one must have the self-awareness necessary to evaluate personal performances in order to eliminate professional weaknesses and achieve a state of continual self-improvement. Those who choose to teach must, by necessity, build upon these skills, but it is my belief that most teacher candidates are drawn to their profession because they recognize these skills as innate personal gifts. I like to think that I, too, possessed these strengths even before discovering my vocation, but I have continually sought to improve my skills in the areas of communication, interpersonal relations, responsibility, reflective thinking, and integrity and commitment.
COMMUNICATION
Indicator
The teacher candidate:
- possesses effective qualities of speech: volume, pitch, enunciation, rate
- has command of grammar in speaking
- has command of aspects of written English
- has effective listening skills
- is confident, poised and self-directed
- demonstrates energy, vitality and enthusiasm
- demonstrates a professional manner; is neatly dressed; has good appearance
Artifact for Personal Lens: Communication
Name of Artifact: Mellon Essay Awards
Date: April 2001
Institution: Loyola University Chicago
Name of Artifact: Thank You Email, Boo's Funeral
Date: March, 2008
Institution: Family
Reflective Statement
To reflect my ability to communicate effectively I have attached two awards I received in the Mellon Essay Contests for Philosophy and History at Loyola University Chicago that demonstrate my abilities in written English. I believe it is important for people to be able to write well on a number of different subjects, and to apply the skills learned in English class to other disciplines. Writing effectively is defined by how well your style, word choice, and arrangement convey the meaning you intended; these awards reflect my command of written English because they show recognition of my ability to use English effectively in different disciplines.
To view the example document, please click on the 'more' link below, which will bring up the item referenced. To move between the document's pages, please click on the 'next' or 'prev' tag affixed to the right and left margins. To return to this page, simply click outside the border of the document, or on the close tag on the right of the footer.
Communication is the successful transmission of information through a common system of symbols. Of course, these symbols are not always written. Our speech, appearance, and actions all communicate meaning to others. People judge who we are by what they observe about us; to be taken seriously, a teacher must project confidence, competence, and character through every available means of communication. Speaking clearly and sincerely, dressing neatly and well, moving with vitality and enthusiasm -- these are the signs that can communicate a teacher's professionalism to students, gaining their confidence. To illustrate the effectiveness of professional poise and appearance, along with my personal commitment to these, I have included a thank you letter from my sister, for my participation in the 'funeral' of Boo, my nephew's fish. My nephew Fraser, who is only four years old, was very attached to his fish and took his loss as hard as any child takes the death of their first pet. He refused to let his parents take Boo out of the bowl, and it was only after his father explained the concept of funerals that he accepted the fact we had to flush Boo. I was asked to preside over the service, and I took my commission very seriously. I arrived in my most professional suit, prepared to speak in comforting and glowing terms about the significance of Boo's short life, but when we crowded into the bathroom, Fraser was visibly upset and said he didn't want us to do it anymore. Instead, he would keep plastic-wrapped Boo safe in his pocket. I suggested that we go through the ceremony, and then Fraser could decide what he wanted to do with Boo. Thankfully, he decided to pull the plug. My sister attributes the success of the operation to my demeanor, and my off-the-cuff remarks about how Boo needed to swim on to a better place. This commonplace event exemplified for me the power and importance of communicating clearly, not just with words but with one's entire presence, in order to provide comfort and guide people to necessary understandings.
To view the example document, please click on the 'more' link below, which will bring up the item referenced. To move between the document's pages, please click on the 'next' or 'prev' tag affixed to the right and left margins. To return to this page, simply click outside the border of the document, or on the close tag on the right of the footer.
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Indicator
The teacher candidate:
- shows a willingness to work with other people
- is cooperative in carrying out suggestions
- shows interest and involvement in student activities
- establishes positive relationships with others
- demonstrates positive interaction skills with children/adolescents/adults of diverse cultures/ages/abilities
- has a positive attitude toward child/adolescents
Artifact for Personal Lens: Interpersonal Skills
Name of Artifact: Peer Academic Counselor Invitation
Date: March 2001
Institution: Loyola University Chicago
Reflective Statement
During the summer of 2001, I was invited to become a Peer Academic Counselor (PACker) for Loyola University Chicago, a job which required strong interpersonal skills and a love of working with students. My department recommended me for the position as a "bright, responsible, enthusiastic" student "with good interpersonal skills" who would be capable of the demanding work. PACkers were responsible for providing both personalized & group-orientated guidance for incoming students of all ages in regards to academic requirements, policies, and procedures. For me, the most important aspect of the job was developing course recommendations for students through close analysis of their transcripts, applications, personal statements, and interviews. This experience reminded me that every student is an individual, with a unique background, skill set, and desires. To be able to discuss with students where they want to go with their education, and then start them down the road to success, was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I am glad that I accepted the attached invitation, which I have included as evidence of my interpersonal skills. This was one of the major experiences that influenced my decision to pursue teaching as a career.
To view the example document, please click on the 'more' link below, which will bring up the item referenced. To return to this page, simply click outside the border of the document, or on the close tag on the right of the footer.
RESPONSIBILITY
Indicator
The teacher candidate:
- demonstrates reliability and responsibility
- meets deadlines
- has good attendance
- is prepared
- takes initiative
- is self-directed when appropriate
- adapts to situation demands
Artifact for Personal Lens: Responsibility
Name of Artifact: Professional Recommendation
Date: October 2006
Institution: USWeb
Reflective Statement
For several years, I worked as a content provider/copy editor for USWeb, an Internet marketing firm that specializes in search-engine optimization (SEO). Most everyone at the firm worked from home as telecommuters, which required us to be exceptionally reliable and available at all hours of the day. Missing a deadline or joining a conference call unprepared could have cost our company literally tens of thousands of dollars, which is why we all strove to ensure our personal responsibilities were completed before they were required. When USWeb decided to provide leadership support to NBM, a client who was beginning a series of new e-commerce properties, I was selected to join the management team as the Director of Content, and eventually took on additional responsibilities, finally becoming the general project director for one of their most profitable sites, www.dotflowers.com When I began my student teaching, I was sad to leave this job behind, but thankful for the experience, which allowed me to strength my ability to adapt to unexpected situations and to take initiative as needed. The artifact I have attached is a recommendation from the CEO of USWeb, who personally oversaw most of my endeavors for both NBM and USWeb, and continues to employ me on a part-time basis for content and management work when needed.
To view the example document, please click on the 'more' link below, which will bring up the item referenced. To return to this page, simply click outside the border of the document, or on the close tag on the right of the footer.
REFLECTIVE THINKING
Indicator
The teacher candidate:
- uses reflective thinking practices in decision making
- uses higher level thinking skills to analyze and make appropriate judgments regarding situations
Artifact for Personal Lens: Reflective Thinking
Name of Artifact: Dean's List Awards
Date: 1999, 2000
Institution: Mount Mary College, Loyola University Chicago
Reflective Statement
My success in college has always been a great source of pride for me. Not only was I able to earn my bachelor's degree in only three years, I also graduated magna cum laude with three minors (almost four!) and departmental honors. As anyone who has ever had to manage school, family, and work knows, success requires good decision making and an understanding of what is most important in each situation. I chose class schedules that would challenge me, and I chose to succeed in my classes no matter how much work it entailed, which is why I was on the dean's list every semester. I decided to use what would have been my fourth year earning a master's degree overseas, even though my father was diagnosed with cancer on the same day I sent in my acceptance of admission. I went to London with the knowledge that I was making my father proud and with the belief that we still had plenty of time to be together. I did make him proud, but he died only six months after I returned home early because things were clearly much worse than had been predicted. I realized that every choice demands a sacrifice -- the world usually won't allow you to have both options -- which is why I now think even harder before making any decision or commitment.
To view the example document, please click on the 'more' link below, which will bring up the item referenced. To move between the document's pages, please click on the 'next' or 'prev' tag affixed to the right and left margins. To return to this page, simply click outside the border of the document, or on the close tag on the right of the footer.
INTEGRITY & COMMITMENT
Indicator
The teacher candidate:
- acts in accordance with the statement of student responsibility as stated in the Mount Mary College Student Handbook
- demonstrates sound judgment/values
Artifact for Personal Lens: Integrity-Commitment
Name of Artifact: James Charles Cox Award
Date: April 2001
Institution: Loyola University Chicago
Reflective Statement
I have always considered integrity and commitment to be the quieter aspects of a soul -- the whispers of action. This is why I was extremely proud to be recognized with the James Charles Cox Award by the English Department at Loyola University Chicago. This award is given to one outstanding senior who demonstrates characteristics of integrity-commitment: gentleness, kindness, honesty, charity, and leadership. I was surprised by this award because many people fail to observe the quiet behaviors that illustrate these characteristics, and I was also extremely flattered that my actions in this regard had such an impact on my professors. This award continues to remind me of the importance of maintaining one's integrity and commitment in every action one undertakes.
To view the example document, please click on the 'more' link below, which will bring up the item referenced. To return to this page, simply click outside the border of the document, or on the close tag on the right of the footer.
Continue On To Liberal Arts . . .
