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Both formative and summative assessment are important for a student's success. Formative or entry-level assessments help inform the teacher of a students' progress and current understanding of a lesson, and whether or not students are ready to move on to the next lesson, or take a step back to review concepts that are unclear. These assessments can be as simple as a short quiz or a survey to assess student understanding. Summative assessments evaluate a students' understanding at the end of a lesson. These include essays, projects, presentations, etc. I believe formative assessments to be the most rewarding for both teachers and students as it provides students direct feedback and ability to acknowledge/fix their mistakes. Thus, they will be better prepared come time for the summative assessments.

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Science contains tons of content that is not easily digestible, so presenting new material in a variety of ways is key to helping students best understand the subject. Appealing to all types of learners -- auditory, visual, kinesthetic -- makes science challenging, yet fun to learn. I plan to incorporate different kinds of technological strategies to enhance students' learning, such as doing in-class quizzes through Quizziz, having students make concept maps on Popplet, or recording presentations through Flipgrid.

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With the new Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), students are faced with a new set of expectations that prepares them for a world that is constantly evolving, especially in science and technology. Whether or not students pursue STEM, the NGSS challenges students to meet different performing expectations (PEs) across three disciplines: Life Science, Physical Science, and Earth Science,  featuring cross-cutting concepts that connect these disciplines together. I believe the new curriculum for middle school science has the potential to successfully prepare students in developing critical thinking skills and content/online literacy skills and, thus, prepare them for their future endeavors.

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I believe adolescents thrive best in an environment that is empathetic, kind, honest, and encouraging. Creating a space where teenagers and young adults feel confident and free to express themselves increases their engagement in the classroom and willingness to learn. Positive feedback is important in assessing student performance. Kindness and empathy allows students to feel safe to express their academic and personal concerns and, thus, helps teachers provide the right resources and help to maximize their success, inside and outside of the classroom.

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I wish to teach middle schoolers because I find them to be the most witty, charming, and curious students that teachers have the honor of working with. Curiosity and desire to discover new things are two key characteristics in a science classroom. I believe adolescents are a special age group to teach because they are beginning to learn and question who they are, what they find important, and where they feel they belong. As teachers, it is a privilege to be part of that journey and guide our youth toward a path that suits them best.

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I am interested in teaching middle schoolers, so students in the age group of 11-14.

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My goals for my students in my science classroom include:
- Creating a positive, empathetic, and inclusive classroom
- Developing curious, critical thinkers to the world around us
- Engaging in fun, yet challenging activities and learning to work both collaboratively and independently

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I plan on teaching middle school science.

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The role of a student is to acquire knowledge and skills in order to consciously make decisions that align with their moral beliefs and goals. Students are learners, creators, problem solvers, and future leaders.

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The role of a teacher is to impart knowledge and skills to students in order for them to create and develop their own set of knowledge and skills. Teachers are educators, mentors, supporters, and learners. They provide resources for students when they are in need of help academically and emotionally.

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The purpose of education is to facilitate learning for all students. This learning  should pave the way for students towards opportunities in careers and personal achievements. Education exists not just in the classroom, but in our homes, our professions, and public spaces. Education should be accessible and attainable for all.