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 discipline(s) and creates learning experiences that make the content meaningful to students.
Students learn best from teachers who demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the curriculum. When educators know the material inside and out, they can fully answer students' questions and can create the opportunity for higher level thinking for each child. When teachers have a broad understanding of the topics, they are able to make connections between various subjects. When students are presented with information in multiple subjects, they are more likely to retain the material. Creating integrated units can increase the learning that is taking place because material is overlapping and the more often a child hears information, the more often they will retain the material.
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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.
Teachers need to provide opportunities for all learners to succeed in the classroom. While in the classroom, teachers should make modifications for the various learning styles to accommodate each student. Adaptations may be necessary to reach each child’s academic level. Providing choices for students is another important component when teaching because it allows for flexibility and gives the students more ownership over their education.
I understand that students have different academic interests and abilities and it is my responsibility to help address the needs of each student. During lessons, I try to include a variety of teaching styles to maintain the interest of the students. I incorporate visual and auditory learning styles on a daily basis through the use of class discussions, writing information on the overhead projector, and passing out handouts. I also enjoy including hands-on activities because I believe the students gain interest by moving around the classroom and using manipulatives.
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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.
In order for educators to be effective, they must get to know their students. Through interest surveys, conversations, and observation, teachers can learn which learning styles their students practice. When instructing, it is important to use a variety of teaching methods. It is also important to recognize that every child is unique and comes to the classroom with different background knowledge. Teachers must be sensitive toward the individual differences of each student.
My experience with student teaching has taught me the importance of differentiating instruction. In my classroom, I have taught students who have learning and behavior disabilities. Creating alternative activities and assignments was very challenging in the beginning of the year. Although, generating modifications can still be difficult at times, the process has become more natural.
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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 a lesson for a classroom of students, a teacher must address the objectives they want to cover, the assessment, the instructional procedures as well as the state and district standards. There are many elements included in a lesson, and it is the job of the teacher to ensure that all the bases are covered.
Differentiating instruction is critical when planning lessons; therefore, teachers should look to see if they are reaching all students. A critical piece of developing lesson plans is understanding that plans may not always go as planned. Flexibility is a requirement of all effective educators. Teachers must understand that lesson plans will change because students are always changing.
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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.
It is important for teachers to have classroom rules and procedures displayed so that students can clearly see what behaviors are expected of them. Educators must be consistent with classroom management throughout the year and set a tone for success right from the start. Students need a positive classroom environment for them to succeed. The role of a teacher is to create a trusting classroom that contains structure for each student to learn.
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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.
In order to engage all learners, teachers need to incorporate a variety of instructional resources into the curriculum. When instructing, it is important to use multiple resources because students respond well to various stimuli. Throughout my time spent in the classroom, I have learned that not only does using a variety of resources keep my students on task, using multiple sources helps me to stay enthusiastic about the activities throughout the day. I enjoy teaching students by utilizing a range of resources.
Books are wonderful materials to incorporate in the classroom; however, instruction is not effective if a textbook is the only source of information. If a teacher wants to use books to teach a lesson, the students gain more knowledge if there are a variety of books to choose from. Including multiple genres and authors in a text set provides students with choices. Instructional resources in the classroom must go beyond books to enhance student learning. Incorporating activities such as hands-on experiments, internet research, and creating a PowerPoint are different tools that can assist learning. Many students enjoy using technology whenever possible. If there is a computer lab available at the school, teachers should take advantage of that resource and set up blocks of time each week where the students can practice typing, research a topic, or learn from interactive websites. A responsibility for all educators is to promote student achievement through the effective use of technology.
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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.
As an educator, it is essential that you maintain good communication with students, parents, and administration. From the start of the school year, teachers should establish a good communication system where students and parents know what is expected of them. In the classroom, written, verbal, and nonverbal communications are all important forms of contact. Students should receive written feedback so they can refer back to thoughts that the teacher had. Verbal communication occurs daily when the teacher is instructing as well as when the teacher orally manages the classroom. Nonverbal communication may refer to when teachers use signals to keep the students on task. For instance, using a clapping pattern or proximity control may indicate to the students that you need their attention. It is equally important to communicate with the parents, as it is to communicate with the students. Parents want to be involved with their child’s education and be aware of what is happening in the classroom. Teachers should choose to contact parents with news of their child’s successes and struggles. A classroom newsletter is a great way to establish written communication between school and home. Providing an email address is another tool that allows parents a quick avenue to address any issues they have. Overall, teachers need to understand that communication is very important and helps build relationships.
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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.
When educators are planning lessons, it is important to think about how they would like to assess the students. Conducting informal and formal assessments are necessary to ensure that the students are grasping the material. Teachers can informally assess students by monitoring class participation, discussing the topics with students, and by observing their schoolwork. Informal assessment can help indicate what the students are understanding; however, it is also important to formally assess the students through quizzes, projects, and homework. When teachers conduct formal assessments, it is important to evaluate the students periodically. By giving the class a pre-assessment before beginning a unit, the teacher can learn valuable information about what the students already understand. From there, they can create lessons that are more personalized to the students. Formative assessments are also important because students need to realize they are accountable for their work throughout a unit. By giving assignments throughout a period of instruction, the teacher learns if the students understand the material or if more time needs to be spent on a particular subject. Finally, to wrap up a unit of instruction, teachers should give a summative assessment to challenge the students to demonstrate what they have learned. Assessments are a crucial part of planning and implementing lessons because educators learn how to guide future instruction.
I understand the importance of generating a variety of assessments; however, until my student teaching experience, I did not realize the amount of time that goes toward creating assessments, grading assessments, and record keeping for report cards. Although there is a huge time commitment with teaching, I have enjoyed using creative ways to assess the students. Many of the pre-assessments I administered have involved passing out a handout and asking the students to complete the work so that I can learn what background knowledge they are bringing to the classroom. However, the most recent pre-assessment I administered for a unit on algebra involved the students taking out a paper and pencil and then looking at the television screen. Rather than writing the questions on a handout, I created a PowerPoint presentation with algebra problems. To generate more student interest, I also included student names in the problems. Another creative assessment I gave the students occurred when they were learning about the American Revolution. I told the students that their final assessment would be to create a newscast that incorporated four main events of the American Revolution. Rather than creating a test, I wanted the students to express their creativity and demonstrate the information they learned in a unique way.
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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.
In order to be an effective teacher, it is important to establish positive relationships with other professionals in the field. I have learned the significance of collaborating with peers, and how to reach out for help when I am struggling. One of the key components of collaboration is creating an environment for open communication. I have consistently set aside time to talk with my mentor about the plans for the day, how I can improve my teaching in the classroom, and overall reflection of teaching and classroom issues. It is important for me to receive feedback so that I can grow as a teacher. Allowing time to converse with others is vital to founding a good relationship with colleagues. In addition to establishing a good relationship with my mentor, it is essential to communicate with other teachers and staff in the building. I have a good rapport with other teachers in the building and feel comfortable talking with them about various issues.
One aspect of student teaching that I have found most comforting, is knowing there are supportive people all around me. The person I have collaborated with the most is my mentor teacher, who has helped me to revise lessons and has offered great advice to improve my teaching abilities. If I am struggling with a particular lesson, I have the opportunity to ask my mentor teacher for suggestions as well as reach out for help from my peers.
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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.
In order for teachers to improve their instruction, it is necessary to reflect upon daily activities. Whether a class activity goes well or completely fails, there is always room for growth. Educators need to address specific aspects of the lesson that can be improved for future classes. Asking for student input is another key resource that all teachers should use. After completing an activity, the students can express their thoughts about what they enjoyed, what they did not like, and how the activity could be improved. Educators can take that feedback and make alterations for prospective classes.
Through the Professional Development School program, I have learned that reflection is very beneficial and helps to improve instruction. By simply jotting down notes or creating a plus/delta chart over lessons, it can trigger a memory which can help improve the lesson the next time I teach it. I think that I am a reflective person and by discussing my lessons, I have begun to learn from my mistakes and change my practices to be a more effective instructor. I am accepting of various feedback and look at any positive and negative criticisms as an opportunity to grow.
The teacher understands education as a profession, maintains standards of professional conduct, and provides leadership to improve student learning and well-being.
Teachers need to be role models for the students and act professional in all aspects of instructing. By using best practices to reach the needs of all students in the classroom, teachers demonstrate their professionalism and dedication to education. Reflecting on lessons is another aspect of teaching that exhibits professionalism because it shows that teachers truly care about their career and want to improve their lessons for the future.
Over the past year, I have learned the importance of professional development and adapting other educator’s lessons and practices to fit my own teaching style.
