Vanessa M. Johnson
Texas Southern University: TRiO Upward Bound
TRiO Upward Bound provides fundamental support to students in their preparation for college entrance. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their pre-college performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. Upward Bound serves high school students from low-income families and high school students. The program helps students with academic services, cultural enrichment activities, and individual counseling to become better prepared to enter and succeed in a post-secondary educational institution. I wanted to provide my students with access to this exciting opportunity because it prepares them for a post-secondary education that they could benefit from. In the evidence provided in the section, I demonstrate how I introduced the application process to the students. Outlined below is notes from a guest speaker on the information presented to the students, and the impact this program had on them. The evidence also shows how I navigated the students through this opportunity and how it provided access to the students and their families.
​
Table of Contents:
-
Annotated Lesson Plan
-
Guest Speaker Presentation
-
Student Work
-
Video Refection
-
Interviewer Reflection
-
Upward Bound Photos
-
Teacher Reflection
​
​
​
​
​
Annotated Lesson Plan
In the annotated lesson, I have outlined the purpose of the lesson. The annotations show my reflection as a teacher reflections of the lesson and how i provided access to outside opportunities through the lesson components. The lesson plan beings with a guest speaker and presentation followed insturctions on how to complete the Upward Bound application and essay.
Guest Speaker Presentation
Pictured below is the Power Point that the Guest Speaker referenced during his presentation. The students took notes on the information provided by the Speaker and the Power Point. At the end of the presentation, the speaker led the students through the application process and navigation of the Upward Bound website. The speaker gave the students information about the program that they would not have known about if it wasn't presented to them.
Student Work
As shown below, the students took notes on the presentation. I instructed the students to make sure their notes were thorough because they would use the notes to write their personal essays. The student notes shown below helped him to answer the application essay prompt.
Pictured left is a draft of the personal essay. The student effectively addressed all of the questions from the personal essay prompt and incorporated the presentation notes to demonstrate understanding of the assignment.
The student sample below is a personal statement written by the student who wrote the above presentation notes. The student adequately answered the questions and was accepted into the Upward Bound program. Providing the students with opportunities to complete assignments that could be used to navigate their educational paths makes work meaningful to them.
​
At the end of each lesson or discussion the students complete the lesson reflection. For this, I use a strategy called the 3-2-1 writing strategy. The student used the notes to reflect on what was taught and understood of this opportunity of access I provided.
Video Reflection
Below are two students who have been accepted to the Upward Bound Program. The video is a reflection of their work in the program so far. Both of these students are on the path of being first generation college students.
Interviewer Reflection
Pictured below is the Adult TRiO Advisor. I was able to interview him about the interview and selection process with my students. We sat down and discussed the program, how my students performed, and what we as teachers can do to provide students access to opportunities like this in the future.
Upward Bound Photos
The photos outline important components of the application and selection process. Students had to turn in a teacher recommendation form and if they were accepted received an acceptance letter. The students also got to learn on a college campus as shown below. Opportunities like these expose student to real college level experiences that motivates and encourages student success.
Teacher Reflection
Having my students go through the Upward Bound Application process had a bigger impact than I had initially intended for my students. When I first presented this experience to my students, I simply wanted them to apply to get the experience, but going through it with them, I saw that it opens doors for other conversations that I needed to have with them. It made my work in the classroom purposeful. Discussions related to why we write essays to meetings requirements, and time management, all tie in to this opportunity. What I found in doing this also gave my students something that they could take away and apply to other opportunities. Most importantly, I now know that I play a pivotal role in accessing resources for the students.