Standard 4: Learning Environment

Standard 4 - Learning Environment – The competent teacher structures a safe and healthy learning environment that facilitates cultural and linguistic responsiveness, emotional well-being, self-efficacy, positive social interaction, mutual respect, active engagement, academic risk-taking, self-motivation, and personal goal-setting.

My Class Website

The above link is connected to my class website.

Rationale:

The website was created as an example of what I would create as a High School Physical Education teacher. There are many aspects to the site from class rules and expectations to my own pages on the importance of exercise and team sports. The purpose of the website is to keep parents and students informed on my class and best practices. It is very important that teachers, parents and students are all on the same page with the students academic success as the focus. A website is a useful tool to gain insight on a teachers instructional strategies and another form of useful communication for all parties.

As seen above, Illinois Standard 4 is about the learning environment. Once again it states "The competent teacher structures a safe and healthy learning environment that facilitates cultural and linguistic responsiveness, emotional well-being, self-efficacy, positive social interaction, mutual respect, active engagement, academic risk-taking, self-motivation, and personal goal-setting". My website is way to show my competencies as a teacher and educator. I want to have an inclusive and welcoming classroom that promotes learning in all aspects of a young persons life.

I learned a lot from making this website. Communication in every form is a vital aspect of any relationship. That includes teachers, parents and students. A website is just one form of that. I learned my idea and practices need to be consistent with Illinois learning standards and the school I work for. I was able to find our about myself and what I feel is important for my classroom.

The above paper is about why I teach. A philosophy of sorts, but focuses on the reason I got into teaching and what is important to me as a teacher. The main focus is building relationships and creating and inclusive environment for a diverse student body.

Standard 4; 4D states the teacher "understands factors (e.g., self-efficacy, positive social interaction) that influence motivation and engagement". Through my experiences coaching, student teaching, and as a paraprofessional, my ability to build relationships has been my biggest strength.

I truly believe I see each student for who they are individually. Because of that, I feel students respond really well to me and feel as though they are a part of the learning environment. They take ownership of the classroom and feel valued.