Standard 1: Creating and maintaining a positive classroom environment that promotes student learning.
1.a Create a physical environment that supports a culture for learning and engages all students.
In my classroom, the expectations are posted on the board when the students enter the room. I have a very business-like classroom; in my room everyone is there to learn math. I use descriptive, rather than judgemental, language so my students are not made to feel they are "good" or "bad" students depending on their math scores.
1.d Establish a civic classroom based on caring, responsibility, and respect for diversity.
I am careful to plan my lessons with needs of my diverse learners in mind. I find that reading the instructions to a problem aloud helps many who struggle with reading to suceed in doing the math. I also teach the citizenship skills of attendance, completing assigned work, and respect for other students. Many times this involves talking one-on-one with students to discuss behavior in private.
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1.b Implement classroom procedures to enhance student learning.
The structure of my lessons follows a predicable pattern so my students know what to expect. I use a direct instruction model of I-do, we-do, you-do to scaffold student learning.
1.e Use instructional time effectively to enhance student learning
Instructional time is very important to me - all my lessons are planned, with additional plans in plans in place if my formative assessments show a need to adjust my lessons. My materials are organized and readily available so I can incorporate learning activities at a moment's notice. Where appropriate I also incorporate a flipped-classroom model. I make my own flipped-classroom videos to ensure seamless integration with the curriculum.
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1.c Manage student behavior.
Since I teach in an online environment, student behavior in the moment is very easy to manage - if a student is behaving inappropriately, I immediately cancel his/her interactive privileges, then after class I speak privately with the student on the phone about behavioral expectations.
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Standard 2: Planning curriculum and designing instruction to enhance student learning.
2.a Demonstrate knowledge of content
Selected as USU Math for America Fellow in 2010, Noyce Scholarship recipient, top scores in both the Praxix secondary math exam and the Praxis mathematiccal reasoning and proof exam, selected to represent U of U and USU at the NSF Noyce scholarship conference in 2010. B.S. in Applied Mathematics from University of Arizona with a minor in Mechanical Engineering.
2.d Select instructional goals based on student achievement data and knowledge of students
I use personal database software to combine data from multiple sources into one easy-to-refer-to record for each student. I also regularly check my students recordes or updates on personal or family situations my students are dealing with. I use this information to set individual instructional goals.
2.g Integrate curricula across multiple content areas
I have found that integrating content across the curriculum results in better understanding of the material. This can be accomplished by something as simple as using data from science class in our lessons, and having my student explain their reasoning using short-essay format.
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2.b Demonstrate knowledge of age-appropriate pedagogy
Teaching to an age-appropriate level is essential for student understanding. By combining age-appropriate instruction with low-threshold, high ceiling tasks, all students can sucessfully master the curriculum. For example, using current sports statistics from school teams facilitates engagement and understanding.
2.e Connect curricula to student development and cultural background
I tie instruction to the local culture my students are living in. Seeing how math applies to their everyday life increases engagement and leds to better mastery of the material. For example, I use local landmarks in mathematical tasks involving distance.
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2.c Design and articulate instruction aligned with Utah Core Curriculum standards
I personally align all my instruction to the Utah State core curriculum standards. All activities in my classroom are designed to support the standards. I write my alignment in a formal document that is available to my supervisors.
2.f Use appropriate resources to facilitate individual student learning
In addition to the usual resources for facilitating individual student learning, I also design my own apps to meet individual needs. I usually do this using visual basic for applications in powerpoint.
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Standard 3: Engaging and supporting all students in learning.
3.a Communicate instruction clearly and accurately
I make it a priority to plan each lesson in advance and work all the math involved to avoid errors when presenting the lesson to students. I also analyze the questions the students ask during my lessons to see if I can improve the lesson material so next class won't need to ask the same questions.
3.d Reflect on teaching and learning
I have always felt that reflecting on teaching and learning is critical to my success as an educator. I find that by reflecting and analyzing on each instructional session I can improve my skills as an educator and my students success in learning the content.
3.g Integrate the Utah Life Skills document into student learning
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3.b Use research-based instructional strategies to enhance student learning of content
I keep current with research-based instructional methods through ongoing profrssional development, subscriptions to professional journals, and I am a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
3.e Differentiate instruction to meet individual student learning needs
I use researched-based tasks that have a low threshold and high ceiling to differentiate instruction to meet individual student needs. I obtain some tasks from professional development conferences, and I also obtain tasks from professional journals. I also design tasks.
3.h Engage families as partners in learning
I use email, google docs, surveys, etc. in addition to personal phone calls to engage families as learning partners. I have found that using online signups works well to schedule contact with individual families.
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3.c Accomodate individual students' cultural, physical, emotional, social, and intellectual growth
I strive to include material from all the cultures that are represented in my class. I accomplish this through careful consideration of settings for my mathematical tasks. I accomodate physical needs through careful classroom setup
3.f Incorporate understanding of the diversity of the school community into student learning
I work to include all the diverse cultures that are present in our community in my mathematical tasks
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Standard 4: Assessing and evaluating student learning.
4.a Assess learning goals based on Utah Core Curriculum standards
All of lessons, including assessments, are aligned with the Utah Core Curriculum. I keep a hard copy of the Utah core at my desk for easy reference.
4.d Use student achievement data to inform instruction
I review student data regularly when planning my lessons. I find it helpful to import student data into Access for ease of review.
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4.b Use multiple sources of formal and informal assessment to verify student learning
I use pre-assessments, post assessments, informal formative assessments and formal summative assessments.
4.e Communicate feedback on learning progress to students and parents/guardians
I provide feedback to students almost daily, a I provide feedback to parents weekly.
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4.c Maintain accurate records of student progress
I keep student records current to assure accuracy. I kept both a hard copy and an electronic copy of all records.
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Standard 5: Demonstrating professionalism to support student learning.
5.a Understand and act consistently with education laws
I regularly review the Utah educational code when questions arise. I evaluate all I do as a teacher to ensure I am always acting in a legal and ethical manner.
5.d Establish professional goals, reflect on teaching, and pursue opportunities to grow professionally
As I reflect on my experiences teachings, I set goals to improve my craft as a teacher and seek out professional development opportunities to meet those goals.
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5.b Demonstrate moral and ethical conduct as educators and role models for young people
I am an upstanding citizen and role model.
5.e Contribute to the educational community and demonstrate professional leadership
I belong to and present at professional conferences. In 2010 I was invited to present at the Noyce Scholarship Conference in Washington, D. C.
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5.c Maintain professional demeanor and appearance
I consider "business casual" to be appropriate dress for teaching.
5.f Act as an advocate for students, consistent with professional standards and with respect for parents and families
I am not afraid to respectfully use proper channels to advocate for students and bring concerns to administration.
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