Domain 4

Experiences and Reflections

Domain 4 goes beyond the role of the teacher in the classroom and outlines the professional role which students may not observe on a regular basis. Some professional responsibilities appear right away when teachers enter the profession, but others are developed as the teacher gets comfortable with and masters matters of classroom management and instruction of Domains 2 and 3. Teachers skilled in the elements of Domain 4 prove that they are full members of the teaching community and are committed to its enhancement (Danielson, 2007, pg. 30). Teachers who demonstrate excellence and skill in components of Domain 4 are held in high regard by colleagues, community members, and parents. Not only do these teachers serve students' interests, but they also are active in the school, in professional organizations, and in the district and larger community. They go beyond the nitty-gritty requirements of their jobs and set themselves apart as teachers of impact.

The process concerned with making decisions about what to learn, why, and how to organize the teaching and learning process taking into account existing curriculum requirements and the resources available. At the general level, it often results in the definition of a broad curriculum framework, as well as a syllabus for each subject to be used as reference by individual schools. At the school level, it involves developing course and assessment plans for different subjects. At the classroom level, it involves developing more detailed plans for learning units, individual lessons and lesson sequences.