Professionalism, Leadership, & Advocacy

Artifact Description: This mandated reporter training was completed in preparation for my student teaching at Lincoln-Way East High School. As a teacher, I am responsible for my students' safety and well-being, and it is crucial to report any signs of abuse or neglect. The goal of the training is to ensure that I understand my role in protecting students from harm and to act as their advocate.

IPTS Connection: This training demonstrates that I "know laws and rules (e.g., mandatory reporting, sexual misconduct, corporal punishment) as a foundation for the fair and just treatment of all students and their families in the classroom and school" (9B). By completing this training, I am prepared to uphold these laws and regulations to ensure student safety. The training demonstrated the importance of understanding and adhering to legal obligations to protect students and promote a safe learning environment.

What I Learned: This training provided me with knowledge to create a safe and supportive learning environment for my students, regardless of their identity or background. It also reinforced the responsibilities of being a teacher, emphasizing that my duty extends beyond teaching content knowledge to ensuring the safety and well-being of my students. The training noted the role teachers play in recognizing and responding to signs of abuse and neglect, reinforcing my commitment to being a trusted advocate for my students.

Artifact Description: This Zine project was created for EDUC 215: Equity and Access for Learning, a course at Trinity Christian College. The project explores issues of social injustice in learning and life, focusing on aspects of equity, access, and diversity in education. The Zine aims to raise awareness about social injustice, define racism, and suggest ways to take responsibility and action to interrupt systems of oppression.

IPTS Connection: This project demonstrates that I "understand the roles of an advocate, the process of advocacy, and its place in combating or promoting certain school district practices affecting students" (9F) and that I "proactively serve all students and their families with equity and honor and advocate on their behalf, ensuring the learning and well-being of each child in the classroom" (9Q). The project provides evidence of these connections through its exploration of social injustice, addressing race as a social construct, and discussing the importance of advocating for equitable treatment in education. It also emphasizes the need for teachers to reflect on their own biases and be proactive in promoting equity and social justice.

What I Learned: Through this project, I reflected on the impact of socialization in continuing systems of oppression and how educators can play a role in combating these systems. I learned that addressing social injustice requires acknowledging and challenging biases, both individually and collectively. I learned about the importance of advocating for equity and access in learning and the role of teachers in creating a more just and inclusive educational environment. I also learned that by becoming aware of one's own prejudices, teachers can take steps to ensure equitable treatment for all students.