Colin Nacion
MAT Adolescent Education
Hey there! Welcome to my ePortfolio.
This site is a snapshot of my growth as a teacher so far. It’s part reflection, part archive, and part proof that I’ve put in hard work throughout my educational journey thus far. Through Ithaca College’s graduate program in Adolescent Education, I’ve completed two student teaching placements that couldn’t have been more different from each other. Such contrast pushed me to grow in real, tangible ways - adapting my approach, sharpening my thinking, and learning how to show up for students no matter the context. Like the work of teaching itself, this portfolio is still evolving - but everything here represents where I’ve been, what I’ve learned, and who I’m becoming as an educator.
Feel free to explore. You’ll find my teaching philosophy, lesson materials, student work, reflections, and many pieces that have shaped me so far.
About Me
I am 22 years old, born and raised just outside of Chicago. After earning my B.A. double majoring in English and Theatre at Ithaca College in 2024, I stayed an additional year to complete my graduate degree in Adolescent Education.
Outside the classroom, I come from a strong background in music and theatre - two worlds that taught me how to think critically, collaborate meaningfully, and create with purpose. To this day, I love to write songs and make music in my free time, and I’m constantly exploring how these art forms can enhance ELA instruction. Whether through performance-based assessments, creative writing, or interdisciplinary projects, I believe the arts have a powerful role to play in helping students connect more deeply with language and with each other.
Throughout this portfolio, you’ll see how these influences shape my teaching - through project-based learning, choice-driven assignments, and a classroom culture that values voice, creativity, and connection.
Teaching Standards
The Ithaca College Education Department uses the InTASC (Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium) standards to assess teacher candidates. These ten standards are grouped into four major categories:
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The Learner and Learning (Standards #1, #2, #3)
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Content Knowledge (Standards #4, #5)
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Instructional Practice (Standards #6, #7, #8)
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Professional Responsibility (Standards #9, #10)
In the “Table of Contents” page of this ePortfolio, you’ll find reflections and artifacts that show how I’ve worked to meet each of these standards during my time in the program. Artifacts include lesson plans, student work, unit designs, classroom photos (with identifying details removed), and other materials from my student teaching placements and relevant instructional experiences.
Additionally, you'll find short reflections where I explain the context of each artifact, connect it to theory and research, and reflect on how it shows my growth as a teacher. If you’re looking for a big-picture view of my teaching approach, you can navigate to the "Philosophy of Education" page from the menu.
