Program Standards

Standard	Artifact Title	Reflection
1. Understands Content DECA 24:16:07:01 (2) INTASC 1 The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and the structure of his or her discipline. The teacher demonstrates the content, pedagogical, and professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to help all students learn meaningful subject matter.	Course Listing Misconceptions in Science Unpacking Standards Language	Through the courses that I have completed and the experiences that I have had in the classroom during student-teaching, I feel that I am well prepared in this area. I have been able to use my understanding of the content and other district required curricula to create authentic and meaningful educational opportunities for students. I am continuously working on developing my professional knowledge and skills to make myself the best possible teacher that I can be.
2. Understands Development DECA 24:16:07:01 (1) INTASC 2 The teacher understands how children learn and develop and can provide opportunities leading to active learning that support their intellectual, social, and personal development.	Guided Reading Development of Vocabulary Observation of Title Math Synopsis of Mathematical Thinking	I have been able to refer to information that I learned in my coursework to help me address different learning styles and stages of development in the field. I believe that my understanding of development and learning styles helps me to create lessons that can easily be adapted or modified to meet different learners. These strategies are designed to help students become active learners and allows them to create their own educational thinking on the content. I believe that strategies such as these are beneficial to use in the classroom and that the students will gain a better understanding by making the learning their own.
3. Understands Difference DECA 24:16:07:01 (1) INTASC 3 The teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.	Collaborative Cooperative Groups Literature Inventory Literacy Technology Unit SPED/Inclusion Position Paper	Because students learn differently due to their different background experiences; I believe that it is important for teachers to get to know their students individual interests. That is why I use many different activities and/or strategies in the classroom to help expose the student's interests and learning preferences. The literature inventory is just one example of how I get to know what each student's interests are and I am able to use this information to plan instruction and activities that will pique the interests of students and engage them in the content at hand.
4. Designs Instructional Strategies DECA 24:16:07:01 (3) INTASC 4 The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage students' development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills while incorporating state and national standards.	Developing the Meaning of Constructivism Open-Mind Portraits Math Lesson Plan for Understanding	I believe that in order to be a successful teacher I must use strategies and activities in the classroom that will encourage students to use higher level thinking and engage them in critical thinking and problem solving. To help build a student's interest in the content area I use a variety of instructional strategies that encourage students to be creative and reflect on their own knowledge about the material. These strategies help students to make connections between their past experiences and the new material presented in the classroom. I also use these instructional strategies as a motivational tool in the classroom.
5. Manages and Motivates DECA 24:16:07:01 (4) INTASC 6 The teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to establish a safe, orderly, and equitable learning environment that fosters positive social interaction, active engagement in learning and self-motivation.	Classroom Management Plan PE Daily Routines and Rules	Because students learn best in an environment in which they feel comfortable and safe to explore the educational opportunities provided, I believe that there must be rules established that respect the rights of the teacher and the rights of the students. I also believe that students will be more willing to follow these rules if they are in some way motivated to do so. A great way to motivate students to follow classroom rules is to allow them to take part in the process of creating these rules. This will allow the students to take ownership of these rules and help them feel more comfortable in the environment in which they helped create. My classroom management plan is based on this type of thinking. The students will be allowed to debate and vote to help shape the Classroom Constitution and amendments may be made at anytime by following a democratic process in the classroom.
6. Communicates DECA 24:16:07:01 (4) INTASC 6 The teacher uses knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques with students and their constituents within and beyond the classroom. The teacher fosters active inquiry and engagement in lifelong learning to prepare students for workforces readiness.	Analysis of Clinical Interview with Student Internship Teacher Interview	I believe that I must relate personally to each student in order to learn what his/her individual interests and learning strategy preferences are. A good way to accomplish this is to conduct teacher-student interviews. Not only will I will learn beneficial and valuable information from these interviews, but it also provides students with the opportunity to share information that will benefit their education and the instruction they are provided.
7. Plans for Instruction DECA 24:16:07:01 (3) INTASC 7 The teacher plans instruction based upon knowledge of students, subject matter, technology, curriculum goals, and the community.	Lesson Plan for Poet Web Quest Poet Web Quest: Student Worksheet Schedule of Instruction Science Curriculum Map Slavery and the Constitution Social Studies Unit Planning Map	I must take into consideration the individual student's needs when creating a lesson and then see how this lesson fits into the curriculum and meets particular standards. The number one goal must be to meet the needs of each individual student. The next step is to consider how to incorporate technology into the lesson and think of different ways to involve the community. The best lessons are those that meet students at their current level of understanding and use this background knowledge as a building block for further and deeper understanding of the content.
8. Evaluates DECA 24:16:07:01 (5) INTASC 8 The teacher understands, creates, selects, and uses formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social, and physical development of the learner.	Achievement Checklist Five Assessment Types Science Presentation Questionnaire Scoring Rubric for Famous People Poster 5th Grade Social Studies Unit Analysis of an Individual Student 5th Grade Social Studies Unit: Pre-Post Test Analysis for Individual Student 5th Grade Social Studies Unit Analysis of Boys to Girls Comparison 5th Grade Social Studies Unit: Pre-Post Test Comparison Chart of Boys to Girls 5th Grade Social Studies Unit Analysis of Whole Class Achievement 5th Grade Social Studies Unit: Pre-Post Test Comparison Chart for Whole Class 5th Grade Social Studies Unit: Pre-Post Test Comparison Chart for ACG 3	Through my course work and experiences in the field I feel that I have a firm grasp on how to effectively assess students and evaluate their progress. I believe that in order to meet the needs of all students that I must use a variety of assessment methods in my classroom. That is why I use many different forms of assessment such as authentic assessments (portfolios and projects) and formal assessment (paper-pencil quizzes and tests and worksheets). I think that it is very important to have a deep understanding of many different forms of assessment, how to create these assessments, and how to administer them for the students. It is also as equally important that I know how to properly use the information gained from these assessments to evaluate the students' progress. Just as students all learn differently, I believe that all students assess differently as well. By administering different assessment types I believe that we are giving all students the best chance to succeed, both in and outside of the classroom.
9. Reflects on Practice DECA 24:16:07:01 (7) INTASC 9 The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of his/her instructional choices and action on others (students, parents, and other professionals in the learning community) and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.	Analysis of Instructional Planning Analysis of Lesson Plan and Instruction Assessment Plan and Reflection of Student Learning Results and Analysis of Pre Assessment for 5th Grade Social Studies Unit Student Teaching Social Studies Unit Reflection	In order to be an effective teacher who is always improving I believe that I must reflect on everything that takes place in the classroom. I have reflected on so many different experiences throughout my coursework that when I stepped into the classroom for my student-teaching experience it was automatic. I do not even finish teaching a lesson before I start to critique myself and reflect on what I could have done differently. By reflecting on what went well and what did not go well during a lesson I am improving my instruction and lesson planning for the future. Not only do I benefit from this practice, but the students do as well.
10. Participates in the Professional Community and Seeks Professional Growth DECA 24:16:07:01 (6) INTASC 10 The teacher fosters relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support students' learning and well being, reflects on their professional behaviors, and actively seeks opportunities for professional growth and development.	Assertive Discipline Article Analysis Community Service Contextual Factors for Student Teaching	Through community service I have had the opportunity to learn under the experience of other coaches and professionals. Through these experiences I have had the opportunity to work with individuals and groups of students in instructional settings. These opportunities have allowed me to practice my management and disciplinary skills and also my observation motivational skills. I believe that you can learn a lot from students by observing their behaviors, not only inside, but outside of the classroom as well. I have also developed an enjoyment for seeking personal growth by reading professional journals and other literature on new or improved instructional strategies and other practices that may be helpful in the classroom.
11. Integrates Technology to Enhance Learning ISTE/NETS I-VI DECA 24:16:07:01 (3) The teacher uses current technologies, software, and telecommunications networks to plan, design, deliver, and evaluate learning experiences to enhance learning. The teacher employs the ethical use of technology and uses it to further his/her professional productivity.	Lesson Plan for A New Nation Video A New Nation Video Follow Along Sheet Literacy Technology Unit Our Government Web Quest Science Web Quest	I believe that it is important to integrate technology into the classroom and design lessons and activities that allow students to use technology to further their education. In a world that is constantly changing primarily due to an increase in technology I believe that it is extremely important that students are taught how to use technology for educational purposes and allowed the opportunity to explore and create by using it in the classroom. By having to search for the material students become more motivated and actively engaged in their learning which will ultimately lead to higher comprehension and retention levels.
12. Understands Evolution of Public Education and its Legal and Ethical Responsibilities DECA 24:16:07:01 (8) The teacher understands the foundation of public education, technological and societal changes in schools, and upholds the legal and ethical responsibilities of the teaching profession.	South Dakota Code of Professional Ethics Reflection on South Dakota Code of Ethics	By reading through the South Dakota Code of Professional Ethics I feel that I understand what is expected of me professionally and how I am expected to conduct myself in the classroom and also in the community. I feel that I have the qualities that are required by these ethical standards, but will continue to strive for self-improvement in all of the areas.