Michelle Alvarez

Department of Teaching and Learning

Award for Fall Student Teacher

Michelle’s enthusiasm and focus in student teaching was apparent from the very start (actually earlier, as she opted to start a week early in order to attend meetings and meet other faculty). Michelle’s high-level implementation of differentiation, behavior management, and varied participant structures were evident from her first formal observation, which is impressive given that these practices are often not demonstrated until much farther into student teaching. Michelle consistently demonstrated critical self-reflection along with a hunger for feedback and professional growth and an openness to that feedback and ideas offered to her. Part way through student teaching, her Clinical Teacher commented that "they were learning from each other at this point!"