Rachel Lofton
ABout Me
Hi, I'm Rachel, and I am excited to be finishing my Masters of Curriculum and Instruction in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at the University of Kansas. I grew up in Ohio, but moved to Kansas when I was a teen. I got my Bachelor of the Arts in Intercultural Studies at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, KS.
I currently live in Overland Park, Kansas and have been working as a PreK teacher for six years. I also have been volunteering for six years as an English as a second language (ESL) teacher on Wednesday nights. I briefly took a break from my Masters in TESOL to teach English for three months in the Czech Republic as an intern in the fall of 2023. It was an amaizing experience and taught me so much about what my students go through everyday in trying to learn a new langauge.
It has been my dream to teach English as a second language for my career since High School. My Spanish teacher Sra. Barraza is who inspired me to pursue this passion. She was always so passionate about teaching languages and knew several langauges herself. Unfortunately, she passed away and is not around to see me graduate, but I know she would proud of me. She is who inspired my own passion about languages and cultures, and I find joy in sharing my knowledge of the English language with others. I love to see my students grow in their English skills, but also as people. I hope to share my experience and work together to uplift and embolden English language learners (ELL)s.
Portfolio Introduction
In this portfolio you will find what I have learned and how I have applied learning objectives from my coursework at the University of Kansas.
Curriculum and Instruction highlights curricular theorists who have shaped how I teach and what I have done to apply these theories.
Delivery details how I apply these curricular theories in my lesson plans and how it benefits English language learners(ELLs).
Assessment explains how I create a good assessment for ELLs and its application.
Standards explores how they are an important part of education, which standards I employ in my work, tutoring, and volunteering (TESOL and Early Childhood Educational Standards).
Technology teaches about the influence it has on education as a whole, how to use it as an advantage, and how I have incorporated it into my current learning context.
Inclusion emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in schools and how to best support ELLs as they are learning about a new culture and its social rules.
Professionalism and Leadership demonstrates how I have been a professional and a leader in my learning context and what I have learned from it.
Program Reflection reflects on how I have changed and grown throughout the course of this Masters program.
Statement of Purpose
My purpose is to teach English to speakers of other languages, which stands for TESOL. In my experience thus far I have seen my students grow and learn and be able to find better jobs, and go to college. For the little ones I work with I have seen them grow in confidence, socially with their peers, and communication in English. In the future I hope to continue to help my students achieve their goals through learning English. I want to see them succeed in life and I hope to utilize the experience I have gained from the TESOL program in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Kansas.
Education
2017-2021
Intercultural Studies
MidAmerica Nazarene University
Intercultural studies is about learning about cultures and their contexts. How to communicate best with different cultures and how to observe differences from an empathetic point of view. This degree has taught me why culture is important which is also highlighted in the Inclusion section of my portfolio.
2022-2025
M.S.E Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in TESOL
University of Kansas
TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. The purpose of this degree is how to use education to best support English Langauge Learners (ELLs). In this portfolio you will find why TESOL is important and how it can be used to help ELLs learn alongside their peers.