Content Knowledge
Human Development and Learning
Diversity
Planning for Instruction
Learning Environment
Instructional Delivery
Communication
Assessment
Collaborative Relationships
Reflection and Professional Growth
Professional Conduct
The teacher understands the central concepts, methods of inquiry and structures of the disciplines and creates learning experiences that make the content meaningful to all students.
Teachers need to be well prepared before teaching a lesson. This does not only include having materials ready, but also having background knowledge of what is being taught. I know as a teacher, I am a resource of knowledge for my students and I cannot present them with false information. Once all of the information is gathered, I develop lessons that include a variety of experiences to enhance learning. I also feel it is important to make connections with content and other disciplines. It is essential to integrate subjects and connect new material with material learned in the past. It is also important to connect material to students’ lives and interests. All of these things will make learning more meaningful and have a longer impact on students. Attached is my “Egg and Chick” integrated unit. We were going to hatch chicks in the spring, and I knew nothing about this process. I spent days researching. After I found a lot of information, I was able to put together my unit. It came together nicely and the students loved it!
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Human Development and Learning
The teacher understands how individuals grow, develop and learn and provides learning opportunities that support the intellectual, social and personal development of all students.
As a teacher, it is not only important to have knowledge of content, but it is important to know who your learners are. In my student teaching experience, I worked with third graders. According to Piaget, third graders should fit into the concrete operational development stage. Knowing that will help me determine the types of lessons I need to create. However, there is more to it. I need to get to know each of my students individually. I need to take into account the different learning abilities and multiple intelligences, as well as students’ interests. I make modifications in my daily instruction to meet the needs of each student. One thing I found that my students love is working on the computer so I am always trying to incorporate this into my daily instruction. By doing these things, each student can have an equal opportunity for achievement.
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Diversity
The teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.
Diversity is the differences among people whether it is culturally, socially, economically or even academically. It is crucial for teachers to get to know all of the aspects of diversity that is found within the classroom, and integrate this into their daily standards-based lesson plans. However, teachers also need to make students aware of differences. By studying differences, students may gain more respect of others who are not the same as them. One lesson I created for my students was based around a story named, “How My Parents Learned to Eat”. This was a multicultural lesson that compared and contrasted America to Japan. As a class, we studied geography and culture of these two countries as we read the story. We then compared and contrasted the two and found that even though we have differences, we are the same. At the end of the story, I taught the students how to use chopsticks. We tried to eat rice using these chopsticks, and the students were so excited. This excitement made me positive that this is a lesson they will remember for a long time. Attached is my multicultural unit.
The teacher understands instructional planning and designs instruction based upon knowledge of the discipline, students, the community and curriculum goals.
When planning instruction for my students, I needed to keep in mind all of their different needs and also ways in which they learn best. I also had to keep in mind the resources that were available to me, as well as knowledge that the students had or lacked. Finally, I had to make sure that my weekly plans aligned with the state standards. In order to make planning manageable, I typed out my weekly plans by subject area. Within each subject lesson plan, I included the standards used, materials needed, opening and closing procedures, instructional strategies, assessments, and differentiated instruction. Attached is an example of a weekly lesson plan that I would actually use for daily instruction. Something I always tried to do was plan more activities than I thought I would have time for. Over planning is necessary because students work at different paces.
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Learning Environment
The teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning and self-motivation.
Student teaching was an opportunity for me to learn how to effectively manage a classroom. My mentor teacher had a strike system in which the first strike was a warning, second was to miss five minutes of recess, third was to miss the entire recess, and fourth was a note home. When I started taking over the classroom, I needed to start from the beginning to set rules and expectations. I had to modify my mentor teacher’s management plan in order for students to respect me as a teacher. I created something to go along with the strike board called “All-Stars”. If a student was not past the first strike, they would get a sticker for the day. At the end of the week, if the students had at least four stickers, they were able to participate in Friday free time. This worked very well. This is important because if even one student is out of control, learning is not taking place.
In addition to a classroom management plan, lessons needed to be engaging and fun, which leads to an environment of mutual respect and active on-task participation. This can also lead to creating relationships built on trust. I work at this by attending school events to show my students that I am more than just a teacher. It even can be something simple such as going out with them during recess. Achievement is only possible when there is a positive learning environment.
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Instructional Delivery
The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage students' development of critical thinking, problem solving and performance skills.
When delivering instruction to students, I feel that being prepared is very important. I always have background knowledge on the content being taught, include a variety of teaching strategies, and include engaging activities. I have these things planned out far in advance, but when it comes time to teach the lesson, I feel it is imperative to be enthusiastic. My mentor teacher even commented in my evaluation by saying, "Students enjoy the lessons you present because you are genuine and enthusiastic." I find that when I get excited and eager about something, my students do as well and can’t wait to learn. Learning can be fun, and I want to prove this to my students. I know when I also plan lessons that connect to my students’ lives and interests, they will become more motivated. These lessons are more meaningful and will have a longer impact on students. I want to be more than a person that delivers information to students, but instead be an educator that gives children the inspiration to learn on their own.
The teacher uses knowledge of effective written, verbal, nonverbal and visual communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration and supportive interaction in the classroom.
Communication is key in education. It is a teacher’s responsibility to communicate in a professional and appropriate way. Students, families, and staff need communication in order to have a successful school year. I communicate with students throughout the entire day and knowing that I am a role model to them, I model correct verbal skills. I also need to make sure that I am not only communicating verbally, but in other ways, so that I may reach other learners, such as auditory learners.
I also communicate with families orally, with notes home, in weekly newsletters, and through email. Attached is an example of a newsletter I sent home to the families. Families are just as important in their child’s education, and we need to work together for the benefit of the student. Another important communication skill I have is with other staff. I gain ideas, resources, and even help with this communication. One example is how I work daily with a resource teacher. I had four different spelling lists in my class. I had a majority of the class on the regular list, some with challenge words, a few with a shortened list, and a couple who needed an entirely different list. Doing this to meet the needs of my students would not be possible if I didn't have this communication with the resource teacher. This was extremely helpful and beneficial. I would never be able to make it through a school year without this communication.
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Assessment
The teacher understands various formal and informal assessment strategies and uses them to support the continuous development of all students.
Teachers and students are accountable for meeting the goals of the state and school district. I make sure that as a teacher, I am meeting these goals with my students by teaching innovative lessons and following up with formal and informal assessments. Assessments are dependent upon information that I want to obtain. This information will let me know if I am having a positive affect on student learning. Not everyone learns in the same way, and I find that it is important to provide a variety of assessments so each student has an equal chance to show me what they have learned. In my daily standards based lesson plans, I include things such as discussions, tests, projects, power points, art, writing, journal writing, skits, presentations, and games, just to name a few. To keep track of progress throughout the year, I feel it is necessary to keep a portfolio for each student. I will have evidence of the strengths and weaknesses that each student has. Another way in which I keep track of progress, is by having students graph certain scores in math and reading. This also gives students an opportunity to keep track of progress. We also have a classroom graph for math weekly assessments to see how we do as a whole.
Our class graph of math weekly
assessment progress
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Collaborative Relationships
The teacher understands the role of the community in education and develops and maintains collaborative relationships with colleagues, parents/guardians, and the community to support student learning and well-being.
It is important for staff, families, and communities to all be involved in the education process. Everyone involved should work as a team and create an engaging learning environment for all students. It is impossible for one person to teach a classroom and be successful. Teachers need to reach out and gain resources, insights, and help with various aspects of education. My mentor teacher is very collaborative, and this sets a good example for me. When I took over the classroom, I was constantly collaborating with a resource teacher. I was also working closely with families by communicating in weekly newsletters, participating in parent conferences, and any other time that was appropriate. Another way in which I collaborated was with participation in staff and grade level meetings, school committees, and teacher in-service days. All of these relationships I built not only benefit the students, but help me to grow as an educator.
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Reflection and Professional Growth
The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates how choices and actions affect students, parents, and other professionals in the learning community and actively seeks opportunities to grow professionally.
The first step I took to grow professionally was by choosing to take part in the PDS program. I knew that PDS would require more work and dedication; however, there was more time spent in the classroom as opposed to traditional student teaching. This was the best decision I could have made for my senior year. I have gained so much knowledge, skill, and confidence of the education process that I feel like I have already been through my first year of teaching.
Being a reflective teacher means taking risks and evaluating the outcomes to make improvements. During my student teaching experience, my liaison and mentor teacher were constantly reflecting with me and helping me set goals. I have gotten into the habit of doing this on a daily basis. Also, education is constantly changing, and it is critical to keep up with these changes in order to be an effective educator. I plan on continuing my education. I know how important it is to continue reflecting and growing professionally all throughout my career. I will do whatever it takes, because I want to make a difference in students’ lives.
The teacher understands education as a profession, maintains standards of professional conduct, and provides leadership to improve student learning and well-being.
Professional conduct is fundamental for teachers. This includes being presentable, well-mannered, prompt, collegial, and dependable. Not only are you setting an example to such impressionable students, but you are giving families and other staff an image of you. By being professional, you will gain respect and trust of students, families, and even other staff. Another way to show professional conduct is by being involved in your school. This shows others that you really care and have a passion for what you do. One example of me doing this was when I volunteered to help out at the Young Author's ceremony. I worked with the winners as well as their families. PDS has allowed me to practice my professionalism for an entire year. My liaison and mentor teacher would constantly comment on my professionalism. One of my liaison's comments was, "Great smile...very professional demeanor "
