Standard 9: Professionalism, Leadership, and Accuracy

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.

In meeting the Illinois Professional Teaching Standard: Professionalism, Leadership, and Advocacy, the artifact that I created was a video interview with a Physical Education teacher at a local school in Crete-Monee, Illinois. I composed a list of several questions to ask the Physical Education Teacher, the questions were developed from my curiosity about the physical education world.

Throughout this artifact, it was important to express that I met the Professional Teaching Standard, "Professionalism, Leadership, and Advocacy" along the way. One way I was able to achieve this goal was shown through section 9D, which states, " the competent teacher identifies paths for continuous professional growth and improvement, including the design of a professional growth plan". While brainstorming the questions I created I felt it was necessary to include questions that dealt with professional development and how the Physical Education teachers practice this, if it differs from general education teachers, how they advocate for themselves and if making professional growth is difficult. I learned from the interview that Physical Education teachers have different types of professional development.

After conducting this interview I discovered a lot about teaching Physical Education and how some things largely differ from general education, but they're also several elements that are the same. I was opened up to a whole new world of assessing students. It is now on the large motor, small motor, and movement skills in Physical Education, compared to the assessing of Math, Reading, and Writing in the general education classroom. I feel as if this will be my biggest weakness when it comes to teaching Physical Education. Although there will be some weaknesses for me throughout the way, I feel as if I will also have several strengths. Throughout the interview, it was mentioned that having a strong, positive attitude will help to make the learning environment become a happy and safe place for students to be.

In meeting the Illinois Professional Teaching Standard: Professionalism, Leadership, and Advocacy, the second artifact that I created was a welcome note to my new students and their families, along with a class reflection letter. Both these artifacts contain information for my new students and their families, inducing myself to everyone and welcoming them to a new school year. I made these artifacts in the Fall of 2021, during my student teaching candidacy. I made these artifacts so I could gain new information about teaching physical education, along with the professionalism, leadership, and advocacy involved in teaching this subject.

In this artifact, it was important to express that I met the Professional Teaching Standard, "Professionalism, Leadership, and Advocacy" along the way. One way I was able to achieve this goal was shown through section 9D, which states, " the competent teacher identifies paths for continuous professional growth and improvement, including the design of a professional growth plan". While making the welcome note and providing the classroom rules letter I am able to help my students and myself grow professionally. With their classroom rules letter, I am able to express my expectations to both parents and students.

After completing these artifacts I have learned that it is important to make your classroom or gym environment welcoming and to make yourself a welcoming and kind-hearted teacher. I want my students and their families to feel comfortable and safe with me. This is important for my future teaching career because it allows me to open up to my students and their families, ensuring that they can trust me and feel comfortable with me as their teacher.