Content Knowledge
Human Development and Learning
Diversity
Planning for Instruction
Learning Environment
Instructional Delivery
Communication
Assessment
Collaborative Relationships
Reflection and Professional Growth
Professional Conduct
Content Knowledge
The teacher understands the central concepts, methods of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) and creates learning experiences that make the content meaningful to all students.
I learn by doing and my students are no different. The students not only enjoy doing hands-on activities but it also helps them to reinforce the concept it is that we are working on. In this picture, my students are working on a volume worksheet. Volume is a difficult concept for students to grasp. This really helped them to understand volume by working with a three dimensional object. When the students had opportunities like this to actually do a hands-on activity, they made better connections and truly understood the material.
[Back to top]
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.
I realize the importance of basing my lessons not only on the District Learning Standards but also on each of my student's abilities and learning styles.This is a picture of one of my students excited about passing an Accelerated Reader test. The students can work at their own pace and reading level. This program really motivates them to read, read, read!
[Back to top]
Diversity
The teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.
I always keep in mind that each of my students are unique individuals with different backgrounds and learning abilities. I strive to, each day, meet all of the needs of my learners. I have had to make many adaptations to lessons to accomodate different learning abilities and processing skills. I also enjoy embracing and celebrating the differences in my classroom. Children love to share things about their life. I intend to have a student of the week so that we can celebrate each student and aspects of their lives.
[Back to top]
Planning for Instruction
The teacher understands instructional planning and designs instruction based upon knowledge of the discipline, students, the community, and curriculum goals.
I think that one of the most important skills that I have learned this year is to be reflective. I keep a journal that I write in almost everyday. This journal helps me tremendously while I plan for instruction. There are many aspects in planning that I must keep in mind while making my lesson plans. I need to think of district standards, individual and classroom learning abilities and levels, and also the content of the subject. The journal entries help me to organize my thoughts and record the positives and negatives of past lessons.[Back to top]
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.
I want to create a safe and caring atmosphere in my classroom. Our class is a class family. Each day we have sharing circle time. Although our day is filled with lots of activity, it is so important to take this time each day to share. I learn so much about my students during this time. It is my belief that creating a caring and trusting atmosphere, my students will feel so comfortable and ready to learn and take chances. I also encourage showing respect to each other. I respect my students for the learners and individuals that they are.
[Back to top]
Instructional Delivery
The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage students' development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.
I utilized various methods of instruction on a regular basis. I incorporated technology into my lessons. One of the above pictures is of an United Streaming video that I showed my students during a lesson on Africa. Another picture shows an example of center time. This helps my students to move at their own pace and allows me to move around the classroom- observing and helping when needed. Hands-on learning is also very important for my students. The third pictures shows my students looking at a piece of African fabric with me. The last picture is a more traditional lesson with me lecturing and my students following.
[Back to top]
Communication
The teacher uses knowledge of effective written, verbal, nonverbal, and visual communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.
Click here to view an example of my weekly letter for parents.
As a parent, I enjoy receiving weekly updates about what my child is doing in class. As a teacher, I feel that it is important to keep my parents updated on what is happening in my classroom. I keep the weekly letter short and to the point. It takes time to do this each week but I feel that it is time well spent. It is so important to keep the lines of communication open with my parents and to help them feel a connection with our class.
[Back to top]
Assessment
The teacher understands various formal and informal assessment strategies and uses them to support the continuous development of all students.
I have had the opportunity to take part in all different types of assessments. I was able to be a part of ISAT preparation and testing. I conducted district testing to help complete the I Can Do It sheets for my students. I conducted formal and informal assessments. Just as it is important to vary instruction, it is also important to vary assessment. Some students do well with formal assessment, some do not. The picture above is of an alternative assessment I did with my reading class. The kids had lots of fun with this activity.
[Back to top]
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.
This school year I have learned how important it is to collaborate with my different staff members. My mentor, Tonya Calvert, and I worked so well together. She is a wealth of knowledge for me. The students called us the "A team". I also worked with other third grade teachers and resource teachers throughout the school year.
[Back to top]
Reflection and Professional Growth
The teacher is 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.
As I stated earlier, I use reflection almost every day. In the beginning of this school year, I was scared. I was not sure if I could do all that was expected of the interns. Now, I feel so confident and ready for my own classroom. This year long program was invaluable, and I have grown so much.
[Back to top]
Professional Conduct
The teacher understands education as a profession, maintains standards of professional conduct, and provides leadership to improve student learning and well-being.
I understand the importance of professionalism. I attended many professional meetings both on the district and school level. I participated in several PTA functions in the evening. I worked very hard to complete projects for my students. I love being a teacher and take great pride in being part of such a noble profession.
