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 students.

There are many different things that need to be taken into account when planning for lessons or units.  One of these things is having the appropriate knowledge of content for the level of students that you are teaching.  This is done through experimenting, revising, adapting, collaborating with others, etc.  Teachers need to know what they are teaching and also need to be prepared for any sort of questions that may arise.  This might mean that extra research needs to occur, but if that is the case, it is something that needs to be done in order to give the students the best education possible.

This picture below shows one of the ways my students were able to learn about farms.

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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 I learned throughout this year, students learn in different ways.  Instead of overlooking this and using what works best for teaching, teachers need to embrace this, and use all the different kinds of teaching strategies they have learned throughout their years at school and in teaching.  If students are not given all opportunity to learn, they may end up dreading to come to school because they are not given an equal opportunity.  Each child needs to be put into consideration when planning and teaching a lesson.  You need to ask yourself “Will everyone learn and benefit from this lesson?”  I have really embraced this and learned a lot about this subject.

The picture below shows students working at a math station.  This allowed students to learn the math concept in other ways.  Some of the other stations included seat work, and a computer game concentrating on the math concept.

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Diversity
The teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.

Diversity is very evident in each and every classroom.  Because of this, each and every student learns in their own way and teachers need to realize that no one student is alike.  This causes challenges for teachers, and they need to realize that they cannot go each day teaching the same way.  There needs to be diversity in teaching that goes along with the diversity of the students, so that they are able to learn in the fullest potential.  I took this concept and embraced it in dealing with planning and making all of my students feel comfortable.

Click here to see a unit on landforms that shows the embracement of diversity.

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Planning for Instruction

The teacher understands instructional planning and designs instruction based upon knowledge of the discipline, students, the community, and curriculum goals.

When planning for lessons, it is important to have an outline that works well for you, and allows you to see if you have all the important components of the lesson plan included.  Writing out your lessons and being able to visualize them will help with the teaching process as well.  Being prepared and seeing what works and what does not work will set you up for success.  Without proper planning, you will tend to feel very frazzled and disorganized.  With the standards-based lessons that we used in the Pekin PDS, I was able to learn how to plan.  These were lesson plan templates that were based on meeting standards when writing the lessons.

Click here to see a standards-based lesson that shows appropriate planning. 

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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.

For the most part, all students want to do is play with their friends and socialize.  I think that is why it is hard to get to all students motivated.  However, if you are enthusiastic about teaching, you will be able to reach all of those students that do not necessarily want to be at school learning.  Enthusiasm is contagious, and if you display it in the classroom, it is most likely going to spread around the classroom.  When your students realize you are serious about something, and something really matters to you, then you have been successful.  Getting students excited about learning is one of the most awesome parts about teaching and this can only happen if you are enthusiastic and care about learning.  In our classroom, we had a behavior plan for the whole class that showed enthusiasm and got the students motivated to learn and behave in a second grade manner.  Through earning paper hands, students got rewards for meeting the expectations listed in the classroom.

Below is a picture of the hands being displayed on the windows in the classroom.

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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.

During instruction, students need to be actively involved.  I feel that when students are able to feel and experience the concepts that are being taught, they are more likely to remember and retain the information.  In addition, students will enjoy coming to school and being involved if the learning is fun.  This can be done through the use of stations that I enjoy to use throughout all subjects.    

The picture below is a picture of my class being involved with a Reader's Theater Station.

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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.

Communication is very important in teaching, whether it is with other teachers, parents or administration, communication needs to happen.  It is very easy to get lackadaisical with this part of teaching responsibility, but without communication, you are failing at the student’s education.  Written communication can happen through a note sent home, or the weekly newsletter.  Verbal communication can be through a phone call made home or a quick chat with a parent after school.  Nonverbal communication is the way that you treat the students or act around the students and their parents.  Nonverbal communication can be one of the most important communication tools.  In some cases, actions speak louder than words. 

Click here to view a newsletter sent home to parents. 

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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.

Since there are so many different learning styles in all classroom, that need to be taken into account when assessing, there need to be many different types of assessment tools evident in the classroom.  Included in this, there need to be a variety of informal and formal assessments.  Some of these assessments include written multiple choice tests, short answers, comprehension, fill in the blanks, oral, etc.  Some others just include listening students read, walking around observing students working, assessing the amount of questioning that goes on in the classroom, etc.  There are many different ways to assess, and in order to meet the needs of all students, all of these different assessment tools need to be used.

Click here to view a assessment on Antarctica after the students learned about Antarctica. 

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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.

Developing those working relationships that provide support are will only be beneficial for teaching.  Collaborating with others is a great way to bounce ideas off of each other, check activities, share ideas, etc.  All of these things are important aspects of being a teacher.  Your co-workers are some of the best people to be able to confide in and share ideas with.  Building those strong relationships and bonds will benefit the students in the long run as well, because collaborating with others tends to create bigger and better ideas!

The picture below is picture of a meeting where adaptions to math quizzes are being made.

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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.

Reflection is one of the most important keys to being a successful teacher.  Through reflection and realizing that you are capable of teaching students, you will continue to grow as a teacher and a person.  Having confidence will radiate to your students and they will in turn feel confident in themselves as well.  Through documenting what went on in a day, as a teacher, you will be able to realize what it is that works best, or what needs work on.

Click here to see a handout that I made for the job fair showing how I affect teaching in a postive way and how I have grown. 

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Professional Conduct
The teacher understands education as a profession, maintains standards of professional conduct, and provides leadership to improve student learning and well-being.

Once you have received your certificate, gotten your first teaching job, and are on your way, the learning does not stop there.  The learning process continues throughout the years and this is in due part to the changing times.  Effective teachers need to keep up with the changes, and it is imperative to soak in as much knowledge as you can.  Any opportunity that arises to allow you to strengthen your teaching skills is one that you should jump at.

The picture below shows a picture at the Illinois Reading Conference that shows how I have grown into a professional presenting at the IRC.

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