Introduction

The effectiveness of a teacher is substantially reflected in the academic growth that students make as a consequence of instruction. Such growth is demonstrable both quantitatively and qualitatively. As a science educator, the amassing and analysis of empirical data is particularly important. It enables me to evaluate my own performance, enables evaluators to gauge my professional competence and, most importantly, enables me to provide my students with measurable indices of their academic and intellectual progress.

Though less amenable to numerical analysis, qualitative assessment of student performance is undoubtedly important, especially owing to its linkage to literacy and the challenges of integrating literary content into science instruction. Nevertheless, I have endeavored to make literacy enhancement a central component of my pedagogic practice and this is reflected in the improvements evident in my students’ reading, writing, and speaking performance.

Through rigorous, observant, student-centered, data-driven teaching practices I was able to effectuate dramatic academic growth in my students as shall be demonstrated in this section of the Portfolio.