Teaching Diverse Students – 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.
The artifact for this Standard 1 is a Presentation on Gifted and Talented Secondary Students. The artifact also includes a Cause and Characteristics paper on Gifted Students as well as a Strategies, Accommodations, and Modifications of Gifted Students paper. These were for the Introduction to Exceptional Students class that I took in the Fall 2019 at Trinity Christian College. The class was designed to give of the skills to be able to not only understand, but teach different exceptional students. It also aided us in how to introduce modifications and accommodations into the classroom. I chose the topic of Gifted and Talented Students because I feel it is the section of Exceptional Students that is not mentioned as frequently as other disabilities.
Throughout the stint of the class we all learned our specific topics and how we would implement the knowledge we attained for the classroom. The first paper that I wrote discussed the causes and characteristics of Gifted and Talented Students. The second paper reviewed teaching strategies I may use in the classroom. I also gave some accommodation that will be helpful to be successful. The last artifact here is a Power Point Presentation over some key points of the two papers. The presentation showed to the class that I have an understanding of Gifted students and what I will need to accommodate the students. These artifacts lines up to Standard 1A which states: “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.” It also falls in line with standard 3P which states: "the competent teacher works with others to adapt and modify instruction to meet individual student needs.” After these assignments along with some of my first hand experiences as a substitute teacher I will be ahead of the game to accommodate and exceptional student.
This class was very informative as to students with disabilities and also gifted students. I have learned that just one student may have one disability does not mean that he or she is not smart. I also realized that not every exceptional student is the same and I need to make sure my lessons will be beneficial for everyone. I think I will be prepared to be a strong teacher and make a difference in all student’s lives and have them be successful not only in school, but in life.