PROFESSIONAL SEMESTER THREE: Final Report

Teacher Mentor: Kali Brasseur

Intern Teacher: Matt Craig

Teacher Mentor Comments:

Matt has spent his time here teaching Math 9 with me, and I am observed him grow and show many strengths throughout
his time here at St. Pats.

Matt started out well-prepared and ready to work with the grade nines. The start of the year had some challenges, as we
learned that the students in our class had diverse needs, with students ranging from grade four level up to above grade
nine level. We also have some intense behavioural needs in our class, which has given Matt the chance to see how our
student support plan process works, and how we plan for students who require accommodations or modifications (and
the differences between those two things). Matt was very flexible in slowing down his lessons for students, and in
making sure they had enough practice. He has developed significantly in differentiating for the students with needs, and
hes dealt with behavioural issues calmly and with confidence. At the start of the year, as with any class, there were
times where classroom management was difficult. Now, as hes finishing up his time, the classroom moves very
smoothly and Matt has developed a great routine where the students know what to expect, and behave appropriately in
response.

As we moved through the first unit, Matt identified that hed like to work on mixing up his lessons so that the students
didnt become bored. Since then, Ive seen Matt grow and be able to bring students from one activity to another in order
to keep their interest. Matt has developed a better understanding of what grade nine students can handle in a sixty
minute period, and how long their focus can be sustained on one activity. He has also tried a variety of activities with the
class, and worked at planning activities semi-regularly that would get them out of their seats.

For growth, I think that if Matt is teaching math he needs to make sure that he is really comfortable with the material,
and has worked on using appropriate vocabulary and notation. Matt has improved at this throughout his time here, but
with new material would come new challenges.

Matt is great at checking in with students and doing formative assessments, doing whole-class review, having students
come up to the board or to offer up their ideas. He has developed good relationships with the students and keeps these
reviews low-pressure, so students arent afraid to give their answers. Matt is very patient when students dont
understand something, and he finds a good balance in giving hints but not giving away the whole answer. He offers good
scaffolding for students.

I think that Matts great strength is his calm demeanour in class and the relationship building he does with the students at
our school. Ive seen him make students comfortable in class, and help them become willing to take risks (like
answering questions in front of their peers). Ive seen him around the school, getting to know a variety of different
students. He has a spent a lot of his time outside of school hours coaching and volunteering at school events, which has
been appreciated by the other staff and the students. I think that these relationships are what will make the biggest
positive difference throughout his teaching career.

Teacher Mentor Signature Date

This page is to be returned to the UC to be included in the PS III Final Report.

University of Lethbridge: PS III Final Report (Revised: Nov 2017) 4