The competent teacher understands the diverse characteristics and abilities of each student and how individuals develop and learn within the context of their social, economic, cultural, linguistic, and academic experiences. The teacher uses these experiences to create instructional opportunities that maximize student learning.
While I was teaching a photography class in a high school setting I taught a project that gave voice to my students. They created a photogram using opaque, translucent, and transparent materials depicting a social issue that matters to them.
This fits with standard 1A because the students were able to talk about anything that mattered to them or fit with their social identity. I wanted to show the students that they have a voice and we want them to use it.
This is a research paper I did about the school I was pre-student teaching at.
Standard 1H states that the competent teacher analyzes and uses students information to design instruction that meets the diverse needs of students and leads to ongoping growth and achievement.
After researching the demographics of the school and the area the school was in I could better create lessons that fit with the school and what the studetns needed.