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Teaching

Teaching Portfolio

Two completed field placements, one ongoing tutoring role, and a developing teaching philosophy built around real-life preparation, student independence, leadership, and career readiness.

Teaching Philosophy

Practical, welcoming, and student-centered.

My approach to Family and Consumer Sciences education is grounded in real-life preparation. I believe students learn best when they understand why the content matters and how it connects to their lives beyond the classroom.

A strong FCS classroom should be practical, welcoming, structured, and career-connected. Students should leave with more than content knowledge. They should leave with the skills, confidence, and habits needed to make informed decisions for themselves, their families, and their communities.

Why Family and Consumer Sciences Matters

Connecting school to real life.

Family and Consumer Sciences prepares students for decisions they will make throughout life. FCS connects education to food and nutrition, child development, financial literacy, housing, textiles, consumer choices, relationships, careers, leadership, and family and community well-being.

FCS belongs in schools because students need practical, meaningful, and career-connected learning. Many students will face financial decisions, food budgets, housing choices, relationship challenges, career transitions, and family responsibilities before they feel fully prepared. FCS gives them a foundation to meet those moments with confidence.

Classroom Goals

What I am working toward in my future classroom.

  • Help students build practical life skills they can use beyond graduation.
  • Connect classroom content to real decisions, careers, families, and communities.
  • Create a respectful, structured, and productive classroom environment.
  • Prepare students for independence, responsibility, and career readiness.
  • Use FCCLA as a leadership and application tool connected to classroom instruction.
  • Support student confidence, personal growth, and responsible decision-making.
Teaching Portfolio Documents

Teaching artifacts reflecting my current preparation.

These teaching artifacts represent my current stage of preparation as a future Family and Consumer Sciences educator. They include philosophy statements, sample lesson and unit plans, an FCCLA integration plan, and an assessment example. This section will continue to grow as I complete methods courses, additional field experiences, and student teaching.

Teaching Artifact

Teaching Philosophy

A statement of my developing beliefs about Family and Consumer Sciences education, student growth, and the purpose of teaching practical, real-life skills.

View Teaching Philosophy
Teaching Artifact

Sample FCS Lesson Plan: Consumer Decisions

A sample lesson focused on helping students evaluate consumer choices, compare options, and make informed decisions.

View Lesson Plan
Teaching Artifact

Sample FCS Unit Plan: Independent Living

A sample unit plan centered on life skills, personal responsibility, financial decision-making, housing, food, and independent living preparation.

View Unit Plan
Teaching Artifact

Classroom Management Philosophy

A statement outlining my approach to structure, respect, expectations, classroom routines, and student accountability.

View Management Philosophy
Teaching Artifact

FCCLA Integration Plan

A plan for connecting FCCLA to FCS classroom instruction, leadership development, career preparation, service, and student engagement.

View FCCLA Plan
Teaching Artifact

Assessment Example: Independent Living Rubric

A sample assessment tool for evaluating student work in an independent living unit.

View Assessment Example
FCCLA in the Classroom

FCCLA should extend instruction, not stand apart from it.

FCCLA should be connected to FCS instruction, not treated as something separate from the classroom. When integrated well, FCCLA extends learning into leadership, service, career preparation, competitive events, and student-led projects.

I want to advise FCCLA because I believe student organizations can help students see themselves differently. FCCLA gives students a place to lead, serve, compete, communicate, and grow. Those experiences make FCS content more meaningful because students are able to apply what they learn in visible, practical ways.

Field Experiences
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My first formal classroom field placement was in the Pittsburg High School FCS program with Chef Anthony. I observed, assisted, and supported instruction in a high school FCS setting, including hands-on culinary and food safety learning. This experience gave me an early look at classroom management, lab-based instruction, student engagement, and the importance of clear routines in an FCS classroom.

Responsibilities

  • Assisted with instruction in FCS courses connected to culinary skills, food preparation, and food safety.
  • Supported lesson delivery, classroom routines, and student engagement.
  • Worked with students in hands-on kitchen lab environments.
  • Reinforced safety procedures, organization habits, and practical skill development.

Lesson Plans and Activities

  • Hands-on kitchen lab rotations paired with student reflection.
  • Peer teaching activities where students explained or demonstrated part of the cooking process.

Reflections

  • Students were more engaged when they had ownership in the learning process.
  • Safety routines became part of classroom culture when expectations were consistent.
  • Chef Anthony's mentorship helped shape how I think about pacing, structure, and hands-on instruction.
Future Growth

This portfolio is a work in progress.

This teaching portfolio will continue to grow as I complete methods courses, additional field experiences, and student teaching. The goal is for this page to reflect the development of a serious, intentional teacher over time, not just a snapshot of where I am now.

After graduating, I plan to teach Family and Consumer Sciences at the secondary level in Kansas, advise an FCCLA chapter, and stay connected to professional organizations and advocacy work that support the future of the field.

See my leadership rolesView full resume