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 all students.
To be an effective educator, I believe it is important to find a connection that will link different concepts that are being taught. If a teacher is able to find a connection between concepts this will deepen the information or knowledge the students are receiving. The benefit of finding additional avenues to teach revolving around one concept will allow the teacher and students to think outside the box.
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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 an educator we know that eventually we will come across an individual who has a negative attitude towards school and education. Our job is to create a caring, positive environment that will symbolize the importance of learning. It will take additional effort to find out what interest this individual may have revolving around school, but eventually you will find something to build on. This child will require positive reinforcement while working to keep him/her on task.
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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.To be an effective teacher, one needs to modify lessons and activities to meet the needs of all students within their classroom. Through my education, I have learned that individual students can be very diverse in their learning. As an educator, it is important for me, as well as the student, to recognize the different learning styles among my students. Once I have gotten to know each student and familiarized myself with their individual needs, I will be able to take each student to their next level of learning.
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Planning for Instruction
The teacher understands instructional planning and design instruction based upon knowledge of the discipline, students, the community, and curriculum goals.As any effective educator knows, a prepared teacher and lesson increases the chances of success with a lesson. A teacher should be proactive rather than reactive. It’s best to be prepared and anticipate any questions or confusion about a lesson beforehand instead of waiting and then have to alter the lesson to accommodate students’ needs. Lessons should be creative and innovative to keep students involved and eager to learn. Involving students in the teaching process is a wonderful way to make a connection between the students and the content.
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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.
As any effective educator knows, it is very important to establish consistency, compassion, consequences, and clarity within your classroom. Children need structure and procedures to reach their full potential. I believe it is important to include the students from the very beginning of the school year in the process of creating the classroom rules. Giving students the responsibility of creating the rules will make them take ownership of their actions.
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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.As any effective educator knows, students learn best when different types of resources are brought into the classroom. Students’ brains are stimulated by all of the technology that surrounds us today. Students enjoy and benefit from power point presentations, educational web sites, and a large library full of fiction and non-fiction books at a variety of reading levels.
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Communication
The teacher uses knowledge of effective written, verbal, nonverbal, and visual communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and suportive interaction in the classroom.
First impressions are very important, especially for a teacher. It’s important to greet parents with a handshake and a friendly smile. Teachers should stand proud and conduct themselves in a professional manner, at all times. It’s critical to build a connection between school and home from the very beginning of the school year. Opening the lines of communication between school and home can be achieved through weekly newsletters, phone call, and/or meetings. Students have a better chance of success when there is a positive, open relationship between parents and teacher.
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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.As an educator, it’s important to assess students in a number of different ways. It depends on the students as well as the lesson, to know when and how to check for understanding. In some situations, a simple question and answer session would be enough for an informal assessment. A formal assessment is necessary when checking for the amount of understanding on a specific standard. By using a formal assessment a teacher is aware of any problem areas among students that may require a mini lesson directed at that concept.
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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.As a future educator, I have seen the importance of being a “team player” when it comes to working in a school environment. As a first time teacher, I will introduce myself to others and participate in positive conversation among employees. Becoming a successful teacher will require reflecting with colleagues, as well as yourself. Other teachers should be used as a resource to build knowledge of specific content areas and also the school district.
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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.For an educator to keep improving their skills, I believe it is important to receive feedback from others about their teaching. When a colleague observes one’s teaching and comments on it the individual should accept the feedback, good or bad, and grow from this information. As an educator we want to be the best that we can so any advice or guidance from a colleague would be beneficial. As educators we need to remember that we only want the best for the students, even if this means changing the way we teach.
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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.An effective educator must be willing to seek additional knowledge throughout their career to remain at the top of their profession. New teaching strategies and/or techniques are being created every year to increase the chances of moving each student to the next level of their learning. There may come a time when a teacher must explore new directions in their teaching and be acceptable to change. Teaching is a learning process for everyone, not just the students.
