2008-2009+Portfolio

= Welcome to Catie Wooten's 2008-2009 Portfolio =

As a part of my continuing education and professional development, I keep a portfolio of my progress throughout each school year. This helps me to reflect on my collaborative inquiry project, my feedback from students and parents and other work I do throughout the year. It is my goal that the portfolio process will help me improve my teaching in the classroom as well as my other professional duties such as collaboration with others.

Why a wiki?
Throughout this year, I have been implementing the use of a wiki in both of my classes for all of my units. I use this as a place to store files for students, share assignments, keep track of homework, ask for feedback, implement formative assessments and share other useful links and information. It is fair to say that wikis have permeated my classes this year. I'm very pleased with many aspects of using wikis in my classroom. I have become more familiar and proficient with many tools and advantages of wikis. While it may not be the perfect tool for a portfolio, as I considered other options, it seemed like a good one. As you read through, you can add comments or thoughts. Simply become a member of the wiki and add your thoughts.

Background Information
This is my third year teaching, and my third year at Yarmouth High School. I currently teach Physical Science as a member of the Freshman Team and two sections of Biology to sophomores. Last year my collaborative inquiry centered on student learning in Biology with the use of animations and online interactives with Julie Raines. This year I am working with Mike Weiss on developing an honors challenge program as a way to meet the needs of a wide range of learners in a heterogeneous science classroom.

[|My 2007-2008 portfolio]

I have a background in science, particularly Earth Science, from Cornell. I hold an MA from Teachers College, Columbia University in Science Education. Outside of school, I work as a head counselor at a summer camp, and I love to hike and snowshoe.