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Cassandra Van Dyne Home   Learn More    Standards       Inspiration        About the Author
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Big Sur, California 2016
The Trunk 
I've always considered myself a student and wanted to continue past my BA, get my Master's (so close) and then get whatever else was next after that. 
As a first year teacher, I spend most of my time trying new things, reflecting, and altering my actions to cater to my students.  I currently teach in Oakland, CA at Skyline High School.  We use a district-made curriculum that is engaging to many types of learners and offers a variety of different activities- but it is paper-heavy.  I am constantly exploring new tools and ways to engage my learners.  I have a background in After Class Enrichment programming and strive to connect what students learn to the always changing world around them.    

I found Touro's Innovative Learning Program prior to becoming a teacher in hopes of getting ahead and adding some tech tools to my toolbox.  I have been introduced to so many amazing resources and applications! I have also had a great group of supportive cohort members, instructors, and advisers helping out along the way.  


We are all students before we are educators: being open and positive to one own's learning and the learning of those around us are paramount.

The Roots
Growing up in San Diego, my beautiful parents, Dave and Jackie, had taught me the power of education and the importance of personal growth.  I graduated high school with the thought that even though I enjoyed high school, I didn't want to ever be on a high school campus again. I was on to the "bigger and better"...or at least my then idea of the "bigger and better".  It was surprising when I found myself an AmeriCorps member at Redwood Middle School, serving to the needs of teenagers and loving it! Following my year of service, I decided to continue my work in Napa County and supported students at Calistoga Junior Senior High in their social, emotional, and after school needs.  I realized my passion was to be in the classroom, to be with the students, and to take part in the learning. I started attending Touro University concurrently for the credential program and the Innovative Learning Master's Program.  This experience prepared me and instilled confidence in leading students in 21st century ! I am still striving for the "bigger and better" and am loving working with my students at Skyline High School. I seriously did not think I was ever going to attend high school every day again! 
 

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The branches
Tell us about yourself and how you came to develop your driving question.  You might also want to include a link to your personal web page, blog, etc.  It is also nice to include the means for people to contact you through a contact form.  This way you won't have to give out your email address.

  • Information about yourself that you are comfortable sharing
  • Teaching philosophy statement

    • rc=ex0share
  • Link to your blog (DO NOT USE BUTTONS TO LINK)
    • ​http://cevandyne.weebly.com/
  • Link to your master’s website
  • A contact form

Reflections on your Journey

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  • The context for your work (see the “meet the teacher” section in the examples on tpackcases.org  and the first pages of the video cases on teachinginterchange.org/video-cases.html )
  • TPACK reflection - this should describe your thinking as you developed this capstone and your journey to getting to where you are now.
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Lasting Learning from the Innovative Learning program

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Lasting learnings from your journey over the past ‘almost’ year.
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