Dear Reader,

My name is Kaitlyn Goral, and I teach second grade at the Arts and Sciences Preparatory Academy, located outside of downtown Cleveland, Ohio in a neighborhood known as Ohio City. I received my bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in 2010. Upon graduation, I completed a yearlong internship teaching in a sixth grade classroom in the East Lansing Public School District while beginning my graduate work. My graduate studies have focused on my internship experiences, as well as my first year of teaching. As you read my portfolio, I trust you will find evidence of my enthusiasm as a teacher and learner, as well as my dedication to creating an inclusive classroom environment for all students.

The Arts and Sciences Preparatory Academy is one of four charter schools managed by Mosaica in the Cleveland region. Our school has grades K-8, with one class per grade level, with a current enrollment of 178 students. Our school is located near low-income housing. Because 99% of our student population receives free or reduced lunches, we provide free breakfast and lunch each day. The ethnic breakdown is as follows: 83% African-American, 13% Hispanic, 3% Caucasian and 1% American Indian/Alaska Native students. The average class size is 25 students. However, class sizes change throughout the year as students move to and from our area. For example, I started with 27 students and ended with 21 with only 12 students who were with me the entire year.

My instruction incorporates all core subjects of reading, math, science and our social studies curriculum titled Paragon. Throughout each day, opportunities for differentiation are created through a time called Workshop in which students work in groups at their instructional levels. Some of my students have many challenges in their daily life. I believe in balancing an understanding of their hardships while also holding them accountable for high expectations. You will find in my portfolio a passion for differentiation in my classroom in terms of academic content and in the way I make each child a member of our classroom community.

Sincerely,

Kaitlyn Goral