Principle #1
The teacher understands the
central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s)
he or she teaches and can create learning experiences that make these
aspects of subject matter meaningful for students.
Knowledge
The teacher must have an
understanding of the material, understand how the student will best
learn the concepts and determine ways to incorporate the subject into
the student's everyday life.
Dispositions
As a teacher, one must continue
to learn in the area one is teaching. Teachers must continually add to
their subject knowledge. When communicating the subject to students, the
teacher must realize that each person learns differently and strive to
find ways to engage each student to enhance their understanding.
Performances
Determining the modes of teaching as well as the
material to teach is central to the teacher's responsibility to the
student. Using a multitude of methods and integrating them into the
student's existing knowledge will further the student's understanding of
the subject matter and allow for a more accurate assessment of the
student's grasp of the concepts and learning.
Principle #2
The teacher understands how
children learn and develop, and can provide learning opportunities that
support their intellectual, social and personal development.
Knowledge
When presenting material to a
student, the teacher can assess the developmental aspects of the
students learning style and tailor the lesson accordingly. A teacher
must be able to identify when and if a student is ready to take on the
challenge of a new concept.
Dispositions
As a teacher, one must realize
that a development in the subject matter alone is not enough. The course
of learning should integrate all aspects of a person including their
grasp of the particular subject as well as developing life skills.
Performances
Linking prior knowledge and new
concepts in a way to develop all domains will enrich the student's
intellectual journey. By integrating the subject area with real life
events as well as requiring the student to interact and share with other
students the person will be more equipped to move to the next level of
development.
Principle #3
The teacher understands how
students differ in their approaches to learning and creates
instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.
Knowledge
A teacher must take into account
and understand the differences in learning styles for all types of
students. Learning styles are not the only differences a classroom
consists of; students come from varying backgrounds and cultures, as
well as possessing different disabilities or challenges when it comes to
learning new concepts. A teacher must know different strategies to
convey the concepts of the subject matter.
Dispositions
While a teacher learns to treat
a diverse classroom equally and with respect she must also teach her
students to do the same. Within the classroom the specific subject
matter must be taught to each student as well as educating the students
how to interact with their peers and those in positions of authority.
Each student must be considered to have the same potential with the
understanding that this level is achieved through differing avenues of
learning.
Performances
The classroom is treated as an
extension of the diverse community in which each student lives. As a
teacher, one must realize when their own resources may not be enough to
do justice for each student. The teacher realizes each student brings
unique experiences to the classroom and must find a way to universalize
these experiences to make the learning situation meaningful to the
entire class.
Principle #4
The teacher understands and
uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage students'
development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance
skills.
Knowledge
To make learning meaningful to
all students a teacher must learn the intricate balance of cognitive
processes, instructional resources, and human and technological
resources. As a teacher, one must understand the components of each
category and seek out the best ways of stimulating the students to
encourage learning. By supplementing concepts in the subject matter with
real world resources students will be able to draw from personal
experiences and prior knowledge to further their understanding.
Dispositions
The teacher is committed to
furthering the knowledge of her students. The teacher is interested in
using the student's ideas and needs as foundations for teaching methods
and strategies.
Performances
When assessing students' work a
teacher will be able to understand the further needs of her students.
She should adapt her teaching methods to better help her students
dependent on their needs due to the assessment. The teacher adjusts her
role in the learning process to allow the students to further their
understanding of the subject material.
Principle #5
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.
Knowledge
By understanding the various
levels of social interaction a teacher can encourage the classroom
environment to be a place in which each student can succeed. With
effective classroom management and a range of strategies to promote
positive relationships and cooperation a teacher can help students
become self-motivated and also strong contributors in group settings.
Dispositions
The teacher realizes that the
environment learned within a classroom can carry over to become the
template for other personal interactions. By allowing students to have a
voice and still respect others the students will learn positive
communication skills. The teacher realizes that a strong foundation for
each student in relation to self-motivation will carry through all
developmental stages in the student's life.
Performances
An interactive learning
environment is created by the teacher, which allows students to
communicate with other students. The learning community allows for
independent and cooperative learning activities. The learning
environment should actively engage all students by managing time, space,
activities, and attention. The classroom environment should be monitored
by the teacher and varied dependent on social relationships, student
motivation and engagements as well as productivity to enhance learning
for all students.
Principle #6
The teacher uses knowledge of
effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques to
foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the
classroom.
Knowledge
The teacher is aware of the
varying forms and modes for use concerning these methods of
communication. As a teacher, there is knowledge of how to use the
varying forms to be effective in a diverse classroom.
Dispositions
The teacher realizes the
cultural differences in modes of communication. The teacher can
effectively create a classroom environment where each student feels
confident to express themselves as well as each student can understand
their classmates.
Performances
As a teacher, differing modes of
communication are used to express any specific topic or point. By using
body language, written, verbal, non-verbal, and technological forms of
communication to communicate, the teacher not only teaches the subject
matter but also is an example to the students as to how the form of
communication is used properly and, in turn, effectively.
Principle #7
The teacher plans instruction
based upon knowledge of subject matter, students, the community, and
curriculum goals.
Knowledge
As a teacher, one must take into
consideration not only the material to be taught but also create
connections between the subject matter and the student's experience.
Previous parts of the curriculum must be understood before further
material is built on top of previous lessons.
Dispositions
Planning is understood to be
long term and short term; planning is understood to be an open door in
which one may revisit previous topics and move through to more difficult
topics.
Performances
As a teacher, one must take into
consideration all types of input when evaluating long term and short
term planning. The teacher must modify plans to incorporate the needs of
the students and be prepared to improve plans due to criticism of
colleagues.
Principle #8
The teacher understands and
uses formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure
the continuous intellectual, social and physical development of the
learner.
Knowledge
The teacher understands
different forms of assessment methods as well as assessment-related
issues such as validity, reliability, bias, and scoring concerns.
Dispositions
As a teacher, one is committed
to using assessment techniques to evaluate and identify students'
strengths and promote student growth. The teacher realizes that
assessment is the best way to evaluate student learning and to determine
which topics need to be covered in more depth.
Performances
The teacher solicits new forms
of assessment from colleagues and parents to assess students. The
teacher modifies teaching strategies dependent on assessments and
monitors teaching strategies to maximize student learning and
understanding. Teachers maintain useful records of assessments, student
work and performance, and can communicate student progress to students,
parents and colleagues.
Principle #9
The teacher is a reflective
practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of his/her choices
and actions on others (students, parents, and other professionals in the
learning community) and who actively sees out opportunities to grow
professionally.
Knowledge
The teacher uses the vast
library of resources pertaining to the subject of concern and teaching
in general. The teacher utilizes self-assessment and problem-solving
techniques to reflect on one's own practice and its influences on
student growth and learning as well as the interaction between them.
Dispositions
As a teacher, one recognizes
learning does not end. One understands that to be an effective teacher
one must be and effective student. Teachers' must uphold a high level of
responsibility to be a role model for students and other teachers.
Performances
The teacher uses all resources
available to reflect upon and improve teaching methods and skills. The
teacher is knowledgeable about the vast resources available in the
subject matter and teaching profession in general.
Principle #10
The teacher fosters
relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the
larger community to support students' learning and well-being.
Knowledge
As a teacher, one understands
the learning environment is part of a larger community. Also, one
understands the student is a part of the larger community and its
effects may be carried into the classroom. The teacher realizes,
implements and respects the laws and considerations set forth by the
greater environment.
Dispositions
The teacher has a genuine
concern for each student; respect given to the student's privacy and
well-being. The teacher is willing to work with the student, parents and
other pertinent people to improve the overall learning environment for
the student.
Performances
The teacher participates in and
identifies activities that are designed to make the entire school a
productive learning environment. The teacher has a real and genuine
concern to foster the student's learning and in the student's
well-being. The teacher is willing to go to appropriate lengths to be
sure the student is safe and being given all possible measures to be
successful in the classroom and life.
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