Maria L. Bajorek: E-Portfolio

My name is Maria Bajorek. I am currently a student at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. In December 2003, I will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. At this time, I will be a certified elementary teacher and will also be certified to teach mathematics and science through grade eight. My previous classroom experiences include those in the Dearborn Public School District, Crestwood School District, Westwood School District, Inkster Schools, KinderCare Learning Center (Dearborn), and the Child Development Center at the UofM-D. I am a substitute teacher for the Crestwood School District in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. I am a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), and just recently joined the Michigan Teachers' Technology Education Network (MITTEN). This e-portfolio aims to inform of my successes with MITTEN during my student teaching experience in Dearborn, Michigan over the course of the Fall semester, 2003.

I am currently student teaching at Samuel Long Elementary School in Dearborn. In cooperation with Linda Tafelski, I am working with a 2nd/3rd grade split classroom of 20 students (12 second graders, 8 third graders). Long Elementary is located in the Dearborn Public School District, which consists of 20 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, and 3 high schools. Long School accommodates approximately 220 students, who come from a relatively small neighborhood of middle income households. About half of the student body reside in single-parent households. Long Elementary is in its sixth year as a Service Learning School, in which students actively participate in community service projects as part of their yearly curriculum. Parent involvement is reasonably high, creating a comfortable, positive learning environment for all students.

A CEO Forum's Interactive School and Readiness STaR Chart survey has determined Long Elementary to be a High Tech level school. The specific areas assessed were:

Connectivity: Mid Tech
Hardware: Target Tech
Content: High Tech
Professional Development: High Tech
Integration and Use: Mid Tech

The High Tech ranking was based on the average of survey responses. Please click here to view the extensive results for Long School. The Dearborn Public School district is constantly trying to bring in new and innovative technology, ranking Long Elementary among the best. Their tech support is highly responsive and knowledgeable. I am fortunate to have this opportunity to work with such a supportive group of educators.