InTASC Core Teaching Standards Phase 1 and 2

The Learner and Learning

Standard #1: Learner Development. The teacher understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging  learning experiences.

1. What can you tell us about how learners grow and develop?
• Learners grow and develop in different ways. Those ways depend on a number of different factors like cultural influences, socioeconomic background, prior knowledge, support system at home and school, etc. Physically they may be similar and meet developmental milestones in the same order, it's okay that they are not meeting them at the same time as their peers.
2. Students learn and develop differently and individually. Tell us about how you will develop and implement appropriate and challenging learning experiences for each and every student?
• I believe that any student can thrive on the same level as another. It may not come as easily but individual instruction and educational experiences that are developed specifically for a struggling student can be just as rewarding to other students. Deliberately targeting a specific audience in the classroom does not necessarily mean the educator is neglecting the rest of the class. What may be challenging to one, may be the reassurance and encouragement another student needs to be comfortable enough to learn. Confidence and encouragement in the classroom should be key concepts in the experiences a teacher is projecting to their students.

Standard #2: Learning Differences. The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.

1. What does Diversity mean?
• I define diversity as a wide range of differences in the classroom. It does not necessarily just mean race. I classroom contains so many students that can have completely different circumstances. Low income vs. high, disabilities, cultural backgrounds, etc. 
2. Assuming you will have a classroom of diverse students, tell us how you will ensure teaching and learning that is inclusive, enabling each learner to meet high standards?
• My classroom will be a safe and comfortable area for students to be open and have culturally responsive instruction. Incorporating diverse references/ situations in curriculum would allow other students to have a greater insight to the world we live in. Educating all students on matters of diversity is key to a comfortable learning environment which would help students at risk for school failure because they would have the support and influence they need to thrive.

Standard #3: Learning Environments. The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self motivation.

1. With whom will you collaborate to encourage positive social interaction and active engagement of each, and all, of your students?
• You can never not collaborate enough! Active participation in your career field is extremely important. It strengthens you in your profession, so why limit yourself to only a few resources? USE THEM ALL! A students parents know them best, why not utilize their own knowledge of him or her? Colleagues that have been teaching for a while and know all the tricks, colleagues with fresh information given through a more recent degree, blogs, social media, educational research, and even your family and friends. Some may even consider collaborating with their students to specifically identify their wants, needs, and interests.
2. Tell us some things you can do as a teacher to foster and elicit student self motivation.
• I would first assess what the student should be using self motivation for. What can I do as a teacher to help that child reach the end result they desire? Once I know the ultimate goal, setting a student on the path to achieve it is the next step. Setting goals, providing the encouragement they wish to see someone giving them, give guidance to eliminate factors that could hinder their progress and make them feel ultimately defeated, allow them to have an adequate amount of resistance to challenge them intellectually, and giving feedback.

Content

Standard #4: Content Knowledge. The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teachers and creates learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.

1. How confident do you feel in your content knowledge? Why?
• Adequately. I understand I am not a seasoned teacher, and it will take time to get there. I am confident in the material I have studied thus far, however, I understand there is much more to be learned. Some of those things require hands on training and observation that I have not had the opportunity to do yet. Teaching is not about just knowing content knowledge, its being about to use it. Manipulate the content you have learned and apply it.
2. Tell us about how you will make the content accessible and meaningful for your students?
• Content will be provided in different ways to meet the needs of all students. Differentiated instruction will also always be able to be provided in a secondary reference. The content that is provided outside of the curriculum will have direct relation to the students personal lives. 

Standard #5: Application of Content. The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.

1. How important is it to connect concepts and use different perspectives with your students? Why?
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2. Critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving are necessary skills in the 21st Century workforce and life in general. How will you connect these needed skills to local and global issues with your students?
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Instructional Practice

Standard #6: Assessment. The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners i their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher's and learner's decision making.

1. Give us examples of different ways you will assess your students.
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2. How will you use the results of the student assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of your planning and teaching?
• d

Standard #7: Planning for Instruction. The teacher plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.

1. How will you plan your instruction to meet the learning goals of each of your students?
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2. In order to fashion your instruction to meet the needs of each of your students, describe ways you will come to know your students and their worlds?
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Standard #8: Instructional Strategies. The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.

1. Give us several examples of ways to teach.
• d
2. How will you cause your students to make meaning from what they are learning?
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Professional Responsibility

Standard #9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice. The teacher engages i ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.

1. Once you are a full time educator, give us some examples of professional learning in which you can engage that will help you improve as a teacher.
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2. While you are still in your teacher education program what are some things in which you can engage that will cause you to become a better future educator.
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Standard #10: Leadership and Collaboration.  The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.

1.  Tell us about your leadership skills. What are some leadership roles you have had thus far in your life?
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2. Tell us how you will exhibit leadership roles and opportunities with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members.
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