Utah Effective Teaching Standards
Learner Development
I want to supporte all different types of learner development, this includes both academics and life skills. I do this through creating an environment where students can learn without fear of making a mistake. The students are encouraged to take risks and ask questions. Learning Differences I scaffold my instruction in many different ways. One way I scaffold my instruction is through small group work. I am able to work on student's individual needs instead of whole group instruction. It allows me to give some students a challenge and some a reteach depending on their grasp on a concept. Learning Environments I create a positive learning environment for students. In my classroom, the students feel supported and are not afraid to make mistakes. For example, to help the students create a positive learning environment we do team building activities once a week. One team building activity we did was an egg drop, the students had to create a structure to protect an egg from cracking when it was dropped from a ladder. The students were given straws and tape and were not allowed to ask for any help. Content Knowledge I study the curriculum that needs to be taught to my students. I then match the standards with the activities the students participate in. If the curriculum says students need to learn about plants, we will do activities in all areas of learning focused around plants. Assessment I use informal and formal assessments to assess my student's understanding. I will give out unit tests or projects but I will also do informal assessments every day to make sure students are understanding. One informal assessment is to use white boards and let the students solve a problem. When they pop up the problem I can see who is struggling and who needs more support. Instructional Planning I create lesson plans for each day of the week. I do not leave school until my lesson plans and materials for the next day are ready to go. I also have an emergency sub plan in case something suddenly comes up. Instructional Strategies I use many different instructional strategies in the classroom. I think it is important to teach to all types of learners. I do this by combing visual aids, auditory cues, and movement to help students understand a process. Reflection and Continuous Growth I am continually reflecting on if an activity or lesson was effective. It is important that I take notes on these reflections so that I can change my lessons for the next year. For example, each time I try a new project, I write down what did and did not work in a note that I put in the teachers manual so I can improve the lesson. Leadership and Collaboration I work closely with other teachers on my grade team to create lessons that are effective and cohesive. We want students across the grade to be learning the same things even if they are not taught in the exact same way. Professional and Ethical Behavior I am a very professional and ethical person. I work well with colleagues. I also report any misbehavior or potentially harmful situation to the appropriate authorities. |