Standard 9 - Professionalism, Leadership, and Advocacy – The competent teacher is an ethical and reflective practitioner who exhibits professionalism; provides leadership in the learning community; and advocates for students, parents or guardians, and the profession.
Artifact ASPED 420 Critical Issues in Special Education
IEP Stimulation - A mock IEP developed with a classmate from a case study provided in ASPED420. All names in the IEP are fiction to protect identities. The forms used are from The Illinois State Board of Education website.
Rationale, Standard Connection, Self-Evaluation
In ASPED 420, Critical Issues in Special Education taken in the Fall of 2019, I was required to create a mock IEP with a few of my classmates. To begin this project, we were provided with information and data about the student. To develop a well-constructed IEP we ensured that we reviewed test results, data collection, strengths, weaknesses, supports and more. My classmates and I worked collaboratively to create an IEP that would benefit the student's individual needs.
This artifact shows my competence in the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards knowledge indicator 9A which states, the competent teacher “evaluates best practices and research-based materials against benchmarks within the disciplines”. With the information and data provided, my team and I were able to create a PLAAFP, two academic goals with benchmarks, one functional goal with benchmarks, identify the accommodations, modifications and supports. While developing this, we were able to use researched knowledge of best practices across multiple disciplines. This artifact also shows my competence in the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards performance indicator 9N which states, the competent teacher "collaborates with other teachers, students, parents or guardians, specialists, administrators, and community partners to enhance students’ learning and school improvement." During a mock IEP meeting, I collaborated with other members of my team and the parents of my student to determine what learning environment would be best for the student.
An IEP is an important legal document that must be completed with a team that is supportive, collaborative and understanding. While developing an IEP the main focus should be how to best serve the student and their individual needs. It is crucial that team members work together to construct a well-written IEP that shows effort from all members of the team. Throughout this process, I learned that an IEP takes time and work, but in the end it is rewarding to see the student work toward their goals, meet their goals and move onto new and more challenging work.
Artifact Student Teaching
Meet the Student Teacher - This is a note I created and sent home to parents explaining who I am, my education , interests, contact information and more.
Rationale, Standard Connection, Self-Evaluation
In the Fall of 2020, I completed student teaching. In the beginning of student teaching, I felt it was important to introduce myself to the families of my students. This was an introduction note I created to send home to parents week one of student teaching. This note contains information about who I am, my education, my interests, contact information and a personal message to parents about how much I look forward to teaching their student.
This artifact shows my competence in the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards performance indicator 9L which states, the competent teacher "communicates with families, responds to concerns, and contributes to enhanced family participation in student education." This note is sent to parents to inform them of who I am, what my intentions are and how the parents/guardians can contact me. It also provides a way to keep parents involved in what is going on within the classroom. The informational note also shows my competence in the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards performance indicator 9I which states, the competent teacher "models' professional behavior that reflects honesty, integrity, personal responsibility, confidentiality, altruism and respect". The note I sent home to parents models professional behavior of an educator. Parents should be aware what is happening in their student's education; by sending home this note it shows responsibility of the student teacher in their students class.
Creating an introduction note to parents is something I plan to do before I begin my teaching career. I want to send home a note day 1 to parents introducing myself, explaining who I am, expressing how excited I am to get to know their student and contact information so the parents can contact me. It is important for parents to be involved in their student's education. This is one way I can begin the school year with a positive note and an open invitation to collaborate and communicate.