High Expectations

A teacher candidate proficient in High Expectations "Clearly communicates high standards for student work, effort, and behavior, and consistently reinforces the expectation that all students can meet these standards through effective effort, rather than innate ability."

Students need many different kinds of support to succeed in school, but one of the most powerful is knowing that someone believes in you. By sharing with students that you know they can do it or demonstrating your willingness to sit down with them and walk through a process, you show that you care and believe in them. This sentiment can also be gathered from lessons and activities that are just the right amount of rigor. If things are too easy, it can bring about a sense that you don't think the students are capable. Too hard and they won't feel supported unless you provide the appropriate scaffolding. It's a delicate balance that takes work to get right, but the idea is to support all students through learning your content and showing them that if they can't do it yet, you'll help them be able to.