WELCOME! To my Teaching Portfolio

"The teaching portfolio is both a process and a product. It is at once the receptacle for evidence of achievement in teaching and the means for teachers to discern ways to achieve more. " (Eileen M. Herteis , University of Saskatchewan)

Welcome to my digital portfolio! I have created this website for the very reasons mentioned above. As a new teacher, I have much to offer but also much to learn. For my own benifit, then, this portfolio will remain a working document. It will serve as an ever changing piece of work that will help me reflect upon the things I have learned  and the things I still need to learn as I move forward in this exciting career.

I also hope that this online version of my portfolio will demonstrate my capabilities as an educator and help prospective employers understand my views on education and what I can bring to their school or school board.

Please use the navigation bars on the left to browse my statement of philosophy and various documents and lessons pertaining to students and the classroom. Enjoy and thank you for visiting my site!

Sincerely,

Jessica A. Norwood

Reference from grade ten student...

"...I was lucky to be in a class that Ms. Deachman was teaching during her university placement. I feel the need to write a letter of reference for Ms. Deachman because I believe we have shared a very memorable 3 weeks together in a classroom environment."

To see this student's entire letter of recommendation, please click on the PDF link below:

Reference Letter from Student.pdf (380,7 kB)

I attach this letter of reference on my home page because it really embodies everything I strive to do and be as a teacher. It was my first placement (5 weeks) and I was a little unsure of myself. The placement went well, but I still didn't know what the students thought of me. On my last day I went to the staff room to give back my keys and the summative assignments I marked. My associate teacher was there and said "Jess, one of the students wanted me to give this to you." I read the letter and was floored. All of my hard work had payed off. Staying up late to memorize the students' names and create the perfect lesson plans was worth it!

I cherish this letter. Whenever I experience a hectic day supply teaching, or hear someone say "Why did you become a teacher? You know there's no job, right?" I just pick up this letter to remind myself of why I do it...