During this summer session, I took two courses: EDLD 5313, Creating Significant Learning Environments, and EDLD 5389, Developing Effective Professional Leadership. At the end of our 8-week course, students are required to reflect on their time in class and assess their contributions to the class. For this course, I rated myself at 98. I achieved this goal by completing my assignments ahead of the deadline and engaging in all of our class discussions with multiple responses, taking the initiative, and communicating with fellow classmates frequently, even outside in our GroupMe chat. 

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Personal Reflection:

Things that worked for me were that I worked on my assignments ahead of time and did not wait until the last minute. I made an effort to complete all my readings, discussions, and replies, providing constructive feedback to multiple people. I worked every night from six p.m. to midnight, after dinner was made and the kids tucked into bed. I tried hard not to leave it until the night before. I tried to plan accordingly, so I was ahead of the game. We took a week-long Alaskan cruise and stopped in Victoria, BC. I tried to gather all the work and discussion posts that were due before we left, as well as those for Sunday when we returned to Texas. I kept my ePortfolio up to date with our assignments and did not wait until the last minute to post everything. In fact, I had already drafted my initial course page for 5389 and the place holders for the material. Then, I linked the class material once I had completed the work.

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On my first assignment, Alternate Pl- "A Call to Action," I made a 92, and I was shocked but happy. I heard that Dr. Harapnuik was a tough grader, and I wasn't sure if my ideas aligned with what he was looking for; however, I believe that the concept is beneficial for all types of learners and allows them the chance to create COVA on a personal level. The feedback I received was, "I enjoyed reviewing your assignment and believe you have a great start for your Call to Action Assignment. I feel you covered the assignment expectations, and I can tell you put a lot of work into your assignment. While reviewing, I would like to encourage you to expand on your audience you are trying to persuade. I really liked your setup, and I feel you have a clear Call to Action, which can be beneficial. Nice job! Keep working hard. -Regards, Dr. Lynch." I worked really hard and stressed over this assignment, 

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On my second assignment, Planning the Alternative PL, I created my Alternative PL and thought through the timeline, aligning it with the district timeline for Galena Park. By adding these PL sessions to our monthly Friday sessions, we already have this in place, which will help teachers feel like they aren't giving up any extra time for a session. For this assignment, I received a 96.

 

I was excited to see the feedback I received, and the following comment was left by Dr. Lynch: "Angela, I enjoyed reviewing your PL plan outline. You have an excellent foundation to build out your model of PL. I love your topic. It appears you have communicated with Dr. Harapnuik, which is great, although I'm not sure how to score your assignment exactly."

 

I would encourage you to give credit to Fink's 3-Column Table somewhere in your work; otherwise, I loved your setup and how everything flowed together. I look forward to reviewing the final product in the coming weeks. Great job!" This made me feel like I was spot on with the assignment request, especially since I sometimes felt unsure if I was delivering everything that was being asked.

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On our third assignment, Connecting and Communicating Your Ideas, threw me for a loop. I wasn't sure how to compose it, but I did my best. I used the outline provided by Dr. Harapnuik and created the information based on our assignments this semester. 

 

When we first had our class meeting and discussed the topics in this course, I was extremely excited about the course. I was excited to utilize my creative side in planning fun sessions for teachers and educators, and to dive deeply into PL planning sessions. However, ​​this class stressed me out more than all the others I have taken so far. I learned about building PL sessions and all their different aspects. I learned how to keep the end user in mind and how the sessions would affect them, as well as instilling COVA into the sessions for educators, making them beneficial for all. Not just another set-and-get session. I appreciate the topics that were taught.

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Regarding class discussion boards, I took the lead in creating the GroupMe chat for our class and actively communicated and participated with classmates, not only in our GroupMe Chats but also within our discussion posts. We discussed our assignments and helped each other grow, not only within this course but also in our other courses and our profession. Within our discussion posts, I commented at least four times minimum on other classmates' posts. I tried to give constructive criticism and positive feedback. I also felt like I got the same in return for my posts.​​

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Core Collaboration Group:
My core collaboration group comprised Keslie Adams, Ann Zastryzny, Leslie Gutierrez, Ayla Rightenour, and Veronica Mata. We have been participating in this program since October 2024 and established a group name in January 2025, when we had Dr. Johnson, called ✨The Extras.✨ We have our own chat group that's constantly active, where we discuss our assignments, life, and life in our classroom. I also spoke with Benjamin Portillo on a frequent basis. He and I discussed many of our courses, their work, what we are currently doing, and what I have to look forward to in my upcoming classes. We also discuss life and school on a daily basis.

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When we had our first class meeting, Dr. Harapnuik discussed the presence of Ed. Tech students in our course. Unfortunately, they have set up their own Blackboard class, and we are unable to communicate with them. On multiple occasions during our Zoom meetings, I posted the GroupMe chat link for them to join; however, not many of them did. We were able to get this chat group up to 38 students, and there was a lot of discussion. I even sent a private message to a few students with the link, but they never responded.

 

Those who joined the chat group were Keslie Adams, Ann Zastryzny, Leslie Gutierrez, Ayla Rightenour, Veronica Mata, Alayna Hasley, Annette Graham, Ashley (no last name), Candace Johnson, Chelsie Melton, and Curtis Lee, Desitny Schindler, Donn Nauert, Emilty Matheny, Erika Ponder, Greg Hamilton, and Ines Fernandez, Jennie Noonan, Joey Fisher, Jose Muniz, Karimi Garcia, Katelyn Herrin, Katharina Claxton, Katia Soto, LaShunda Brown, Lauren Livingston, Monica Guerrero, and NKima Browning, Nilka Quinones, Paula Brasfield, Sara McDavid, and Shanina Pryor, Stephanie Scaletta, Tasha Brown, Thaddeus Komorowski, Tytiauna Goode and VyVy Pham. However, most people, if not everyone, in the chat contributed and helped everyone in some way. We were a very active and chatty group. Some people were upset about their call-to-action grade. So, the chat group got a little heated. As the group's admin, I felt that something needed to be said, so I reminded the group that the teachers had our best interests at heart and that they wouldn't let us fail. The worst-case scenario is that they earned a 70 but still graduated and received the same degree, and the best-case scenario is that they got to redo it for a higher grade.

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In addition to these two groups, my 5313 group, for Dr. Johnson's class, consisted of Karimi Garcia, Leslie Gutierrez, Tytiauna Goode, and Yusmila De Nicolo de Ocando. We had many discussions regarding this course, as we also discussed her class. So I had many discussions going on at once.

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Conclusion:

In conclusion, I have gained considerable knowledge regarding this course. I enjoyed this topic and was excited to learn more about setting up PL sessions. I am very proud of myself for writing and producing class materials this semester. We have had some great discussions and thought-provoking talks. I have made friends in this course and grown both as a person and as an educator.​​​

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Seven classes down and three more to go. Come on, graduation!!

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Thank you, Dr. Harapnuik and Dr. Lynch!