Standard 1

Demonstrates mastery of and pedagogical expertise in content

 

For the first standard I believe the process of mastering pedagogical expertise in the classroom has been a developing experience. I always try to incorporate a variety of references within my plans whether that be making worksheets for students who need steps broken down, or uploading PowerPoints and artist examples online for students to reflect at their leisure. I would rate myself as a developing teacher with standard one because I feel as teachers this is a standard that can always seek improvement. In the future of my own career I hope only improve this skill and feel more comfortable incorporating different pedagogical practices.  

 

Standard 2

Establishes a safe, inclusive and respectable learning environment for a diverse population

 

Creating a safe space that respects all learning, and all population I believe relies heavily on behavior management and incorporating lessons that respect different cultures and communities. Within my own student teaching experience behavior management and creating a cohesive classroom climate was something I consistently struggled with. Though I may have struggled I do put my learning in the proficient category. I say this because although I struggled to find a strategy that consistently worked I was always able to seek advice from others, and implement different strategies within the classroom. I tried using both positive and negative reinforcement such as incorporating music, refocus sheets, and cool down time for students. I believe that in my teaching experience I will continue to grow in learning what strategies work best for my own classroom. 

 

Standard 3

Plans and delivers effective instruction and creates an environment that facilitates learning for students

 

Within my student teaching experience, I implemented strategies for differentiation both behaviorally and academically. Within my teaching at the middle school level I had a number of students who needed more time with quizzes, writing notes and steps for instruction. I added worksheet examples that broke down steps onto their google classroom so the student who needed more time may look back at their leisure to regather any information they may have missed along the way. I believe this worked for differentiation and for facilitating time management within the classroom. For elementary I utilized behavioral differentiation by talking with students and teachers outside of the classroom and coming up with strategies for better classroom behavior. This included letting students take brain breaks, going to get a drink, and being able to stand and move around during work time. Because of my willingness to implement different strategies in and outside of the classroom I would rate my learning as proficient. 

​

Standard 4

Reflect on professional practice 

 

To be a teacher is to always reflect on professional practice. Every day I experienced a new lesson idea, instruction strategy, or behavioral mishaps. As teachers we take the experiences we encounter on a day to day basis to reflect and reconstruct our own lesson planning. In my own student teaching I constantly reflect and change my strategies when constructing my lesson plans. On reflection I believe my practice to be advanced because I am always willing to change and seek out help from others to change strategies that may or may not be working within my own classroom. 

​

 Standard 5

Demonstrates Leadership

 

Demonstrating leadership is a skill that I feel that I vastly improved on and yet and still learning to perfect. I would say I have the abilities to be a good leader as I seek for help, and I am not afraid to take on challenges. Though I do feel that my own insecurities get away from me being perfect at my leadership skills. I would rate demonstrating leadership as proficient because of my willingness to change to grow and always striving to be better than I was the day before. I feel to be a good leader you must possess those qualities.