Educational Research
Teacher Work Sample
Poetry Devices Mini Unit
This Teacher Work Sample documents the planning, implementation, and evaluation of a poetry unit for 11th-grade ESL students at a public school in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. The unit focused on teaching literary devices—specifically alliteration, assonance, oxymoron, and paradox—through interactive, student-centered methods like games, group work, journaling, and creative assessments. Stephanie tailored instruction to meet diverse needs, including those of special education students, English language learners, and transient military families. The data showed significant student growth, with post-test scores increasing by an average of 42%. The project highlights her ability to create inclusive, engaging, and standards-aligned instruction that supports both academic and emotional development.
Collaborative Tasks
Community Service Project
The community service project focused on educating the school community about safety during earthquakes and tsunamis. Motivated by a recent tsunami alert in the area, the initiative aimed to raise awareness and help students feel more prepared in the event of a natural disaster. The project began with the creation of pre- and post-surveys using Google Forms to assess students’ initial knowledge and measure what they learned. A key part of the project was a live outdoor presentation by a guest speaker with expertise in emergency preparedness, who spoke about what to do before, during, and after an earthquake or tsunami. Students listened attentively and engaged with the material, asking questions and reflecting on their own experiences. As a whole, the project was both informative and empowering. It connected students to real-world emergency knowledge in a way that felt personal and urgent. The activity highlighted the importance of communication, collaboration, and community awareness. It was meaningful to contribute something that could potentially save lives and to know that even a school-based initiative can have a lasting impact.