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 background knowledge I received through ISU’s teacher preparation coursework taught me “how to teach,” but it is through this experience I have learned how to combine that knowledge with “what to teach.” I have learned that students can truly surprise you with their inquiries and questions. That is why it is important to be fully prepared and willing to become flexible to take advantage of those special “teachable” moments. Some of the best lessons that I have taught in this past year have come from student inquires about our topic of study. Creating a base of knowledge within yourself as a teacher is very important. I have learned that the better I understand the material, the more meaningful and creative my teaching approaches become. Attitude is everything and it is contagious. Students respond positively to lessons that I enjoy, and begin to enjoy learning themselves. As a result, I plan lessons that interest my students and myself, and I try to vary teaching methods to keep their interest.
Human Development and Learning
Through my experience, I have found that students vary by academic ability level, and by the ways that they learn. I have experienced how important it is for a teacher to address all these needs when teaching a whole group of children. Students develop at different rates, for they are all unique individuals. Therefore, planning for all the differences that may be present in a class of 28 students takes a lot of time and preparation. It is important to be able to identify these differences and accommodate them appropriately to make students reach their full potential and succeed. Once a child succeeds, these accomplishments need to be praised and celebrated, even if they achieve their goal at a different rate or in a different way than other students in the class.
Diversity
Being in a classroom with the same group of students throughout an entire school has allowed me to really get to know my students. It was easy to pick up on what individual students are interested in, what their background knowledge is and how much support they have for their education from their families through conversation and different interactions. Finding instructional and assessment strategies that coincide with the diversity found among a group of students is not always discovered easily. I experimented with various methods to find the appropriate accommodations that fit my students’ individual student needs and interests. When I utilized the knowledge that I had of my students I was able to create successful learning experiences for my students, which over time created a positive learning environment within the classroom.
Planning for Instruction
In order for an educator to teach new material to students, they must have an extensive knowledge of the content and effective learning strategies that can be incorporated into instruction. Essentially, a teacher must know what they are teaching and the best way to teach it. Since all students learn at different developmental rates and in different ways, it is my responsibility as a teacher to master all of these modalities instructionally to make the students successful. With this background knowledge in place, teachers then can incorporate the content of the lesson into these strategies. Once all these areas have been explored and logically integrated, the teacher can expect to teach the content in the best manner possible.
Learning Environment
I strongly believe that all children can learn. As an educator, it is my responsibility to create an environment which allows all students to reach their full potential. Creating a risk free environment, where students feel comfortable succeeding and failing, allows students have wonderful learning experiences. Giving students opportunities to search for answers to their own questions through experience facilitates problem solving skills and creates independent learners. Students will become life long learners when an intrinsic motivation for learning is instilled, and the foundation for this is laid through their educational experiences.
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Instructional Delivery
When a teacher models enthusiasm for learning the students will start to demonstrate the same behavior. The teacher must be interested, or seem to be interested, to gain the students attention and encourage learning. I have discovered many ways to create interest within my students and myself. Interest can be created by exploring new content, making personal connections to the children’s lives and questioning ideas to model higher order thinking skills. If children learn how to think, they will be successful at whatever they do.
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Communication
One of the hardest parts of teaching is recognizing that as a teacher you are only in a child’s life for six hours of the day. The rest of their day is consumed by their family and home life. Establishing a close relationship with a student’s family is vital for student success. That is why it is important to communicate clearly with parents, so the students can receive the same support at home as they receive from their teacher at school.
Assessment
If you are teaching, you must be assessing constantly. You must assess the students informally through observation and formally through graded materials. You must know what level your students are at before beginning a unit and you must assess throughout a unit and formally assess the students at the end to see what they have learned. Assessing is important because it is what is used to drive instruction. The only way to make appropriate, fair and logical decisions regarding a student’s education is to look at the student’s progress and create a pathway for the student to facilitate their needs. Teachers must be effective at assessment in order to make an impact on their students’ achievement. It is important to use many different methods of assessment so that the students are able to be assessed in a way that lets them be successful.
Collaborative Relationships
Being involved in the PDS program has shown me the importance of collaborating with others. I do not think my student teaching experience would be successful without the help of my fellow interns, my grade level team and other teachers I have met along the way. The staff at Washington Intermediate School has proven to be my best resource. I am a firm believer in two heads are better than one, that is why I have used the staff as my primary resource to enhance my instruction. I have also built particularly strong relationships with the other interns in my program and my mentor teacher. Not a day goes by where we do not bounce ideas off each other and work together to help our children succeed.
Reflection and Professional Growth
In order to teach, a teacher must be a learner themselves. Having a willingness to learn
and grow professionally through higher education and district involvement makes a teacher skilled. Education is a field with a lot of information and resources available. To enhance content knowledge and pedagogical skills, I have learned that a teacher must be aware of all the advances the education field is involved in, and be willing to learn about them. Some skills I have learned that have helped me grow professionally in the changing world of education is being reflective, resourceful and a life-long learner can help you grow as a teacher and reach your potential.
Professional Conduct
The manner in which I behave is a reflection of my values and expectations. As a role model and a professional, I need to establish my reputation through my actions, words, dress, and demeanor. I have learned that every action, as a result of being valued, is analyzed. By acting in a professional manner, my actions become an example of expected behavior and a learning tool in itself. I understand the significance and consequences of my professional conduct and am now continuously aware of my own behaviors and decisions.
