Standard 1: Candidates are effective teachers who demonstrate knowledge of learners and learning and who model and promote collaborative planning, instruction in multiple literacies, and inquiry-based learning, enabling members of the learning community to become effective users and creators of ideas and information. Candidates design and implement instruction that engages students' interests and develops their ability to inquire, think critically, gain and share knowledge. Elements: 1.1 Knowledge of learners and learning 1.2 Effective and knowledgeable teacher 1.3 Instructional partner 1.4 Integration of twenty-first century skills and learning standards
Reflection
I feel as an educator that it is crucial for me to know the students that I am teaching. I have been teaching for seven years, and my experience has made me more knowledgeable of different learning styles, stages of human growth and development, and cultural influences on learning. My instructions are 21-century skills instruction because I want my students to be college ready and able to compete with other students globally. For me to achieve this goal, I have to know my students' interest and learning needs, teach a variety of instructional strategies and assessments. For example, in my reading enrichment lesson plan I included a variety of instructional strategies and assessments. I also know for me to achieve this goal I have to collaborate with other educators. I admit that I have areas that I am weak in and collaborating with another educator who is strong in the area that I am weak in have a positive impact on the lesson. My overall goal is students’ achievement.
As a future media specialist, I know how important it is to be knowledgeable of the curriculum. Understanding the curriculum will help me be able to use different resources in the library when teaching a whole group or small group. Also, when I collaborate with a teacher, I will know the skills he/she is teaching in class. I feel this will make educators more willing to work with me. For example, when I met with a teacher to collaborate about Juliette Gordon Low, I was knowledgeable of the person and the standard. I was able to combine the AASL standards with the state standards. The teacher was excited and viewed me as a valuable media specialist. Also, I was able to incorporate technology in the collaborative lesson which engages the students.
Attending meetings and participating in community activities will let educators and administrators know that I am also a key player in students’ achievement. Sharing my knowledge to the staff about library and information use will build the staff confidence. Knowing what the team needs from me will help me offer professional developments that they value. For instance, before I develop my professional development workshop, I sent out a survey. This survey let me know which information I need to present or spend the most time on when presenting. The survey helped me in my design, develop, and deliver. So when it was time to present I felt confident because I know I wasn’t wasting their time. I think it is essential to establish a great relationship with the staff, students, administrators, and stakeholders.
During this program, I was able to combine my teaching experience with the information that I learned from all of my courses, and because of this, I feel I have master standard 1.
Artifacts to support Standard 1
Reading Enrichment This artifact demonstrate my knowledge of different learning styles, implement instruction that engages students' interests, and develop their ability to critically think. Also, I incorporate several different types of technology to support my instructional strategies and the diverse learning styles. In this unit I use AASL standards to support 21st century learners. This artifact support elements 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4.
Here are some of the artifacts from the reading enrichment unit. Please see the lesson plan for more students artifacts.
Collaborative Lesson
This artifact demonstrate me modeling, sharing, and promote effective principles of teaching and learning as collaborative partners with another educator. Also, demonstrate me being an effective and knowledgeable teacher. This artifact support elements 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4.
Instructional Design
This artifact demonstrate me modeling and promoting a knowledge of learners and delivering inquiry-based instruction that enhances the information. In this artifact I also assess the learner needs and design instruction that I saw fit my learners needs. I also supported all learners including those with diverse learning styles, physical and intellectual abilities and needs. This artifact support elements 1.1, 1.2, and 1.4.
Online Learning Module
I chose the online learning module because it demonstrate my knowledge of learners and their learning styles. I use a variety of instructional strategies and assessment tools in this module. Also, I integrate the use of emerging technologies as a mean for effective and creative teaching. This artifact support elements 1.1, 1.2, and 1.4.
During my program I was able to create a list of resources to refer back to if needed. I feel it is important for a media specialist to have a bank of resources that I can go back to for help or additional information. This artifact support element 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4.