Standard 1
Demonstrate mastery of and pedagogical expertise in the content they teach.
I believe I have developed immensely in this standard throughout my student teaching. As I continued to create lessons, my understanding of pedagogy solidified. I saw first hand the effect of ineffective planning and leading, and was able to reflect on it and truly understand why it was ineffective. I have grown in my pedagogical expertise and make sure that I plan every lesson extremely thoroughly. One thing I have improved on greatly in this standard is providing enough references and scaffolding for my students at the beginning of each lesson including ideation sheets, different artist examples, and reference sheets. Despite this, I am still developing in this standard. The only reason I believe this is because there is always room to improve in this standard, and I believe it's important for me to continue pushing and developing my pedagogical expertise.
Standard 2
Establish a safe, inclusive and respectful learning environment for a diverse population of students.
It has become clear to me that establishing a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment is only made possible through routines and procedures, and building relationships. Routines and procedures ensure that students know what is going to happen every day at the beginning and end of class, and ensure that there are clear rules and expectations. This goes a long way towards a safe environment, and a respectful environment as well. When it comes to inclusion, it's important to build relationships with students, and open communication. Open communication allows for an inclusive classroom and ensures that every student is heard. Because I have come to these realizations, I feel proficient in this standard. Although, I will always strive to make my environment as safe, inclusive, and respectful as possible.
Standard 3
Plan and deliver effective instruction and create an environment that facilitates learning for their students.
Throughout my student teaching experience, I have worked extremely hard to plan out every aspect of my instruction. It has become apparent to me just how many different learning styles there are among any group of students. In order to effectively deliver instruction to every type of student, I have learned how to implement many different types of scaffolding. Things like including visuals while also handing out worksheets, or differentiating my lessons to allow extra time or help for specific students. I have become proficient in my ability to plan and deliver effective instruction for every type of student that comes into my classroom. I've also become proficient in creating an effective environment by giving students the freedom to take breaks and walk around when they need to. This helps facilitate learning because it gives students control over their own learning.
Standard 4
Demonstrate professionalism through ethical conduct, reflection, and leadership.
Ethical conduct, reflection, and leadership have been so important over the past few weeks. When it comes to reflection, I feel as though I have been accomplished for a very long time. I have learned how to reflect, and act on my reflections. This has helped my professionalism greatly as the ability to tweak instruction based on reflection has made my lessons far more effective, and worthwhile for the students. I also believe I have always been accomplished when it comes to ethical conduct. It has always been apparent to me where the line is between a student and teacher, and I have no problem adhering to that line, and behaving ethically in the classroom. When it comes to leadership, I have made immense strides in my ability to lead the classroom, and to ask for help when I need it. Because of all these reasons, I am very confident that I am proficient in this standard.