Quality Standard 4: Teachers demonstrate professionalism through ethical conduct, reflection, and leadership.
I believe that I am overall proficient in standard 4. In this standard, there is still quite a bit for me to work on, but I think I’m getting much better. Reflection is a big part of standard 4. As a teacher, reflection is one of the most valuable things we can do. It allows for us to take what went well and what didn’t go well, and put that into a productive learning experience. Everyday it is important to reflect on what went well, and what we can do better tomorrow. Throughout this semester, with each assignment and each lesson, I reflected and developed new ways of thinking about my future classroom. This reflection has allowed for me to become a better teacher. I think one of my main areas for growth in this standard is leadership. I tend to be more of a quiet leader, however, I think I can push that and work towards creating a better school environment for my students through getting more involved in programs outside of my own classroom and my own area. This would further help to create a more positive environment for all the students in the school as a whole.
Element C: Teachers link professionalism through ethical conduct, reflection, and leadership.
After rethinking my setting and context assignment, I was able to better reflect upon the setting and context of the classroom I was placed in as well as the school as a whole. Feedback and reflection for me are two of the most important parts of teaching. After receiving feedback on that assignment, I went back and added some information that was relevant, but I hadn’t necessarily thought of when I was first writing my reflection. This allowed for me to build my professional skills as a teacher through reflecting and also through continuing to go back and add new information. This consistent reflection and addition will help me to become a better teacher through my experiences.
Element B: Teachers demonstrate leadership in the school, the community, and the teaching profession.
Through AVID this semester I have worked to be a leader. Even though at times it was difficult to get student engagement, I focused on helping kids and asking them questions, inviting students to ask other questions as well. It is valuable to get students interacting with and helping each other, because not only will that help them to better understand the content, it will help them become better critical thinkers and ask better questions. AVID allowed for me to be part of the school community through connecting with multiple different content areas, and focusing on learning in a variety of different ways.