Professional Reflection

This lesson offered me a genuine opportunity to apply instructional theories that impact
student learning in a more impressionable and profound manner. The 12 Touchstones of Good
Teaching gave me a much more solid foundation for developing lessons with outcomes that are
more practical and meaningful to the student. These fundamentals also gave me an opportunity
to reevaluate my role as an instructor and not just a technician. I now have a better
understanding of my responsibility to facilitate the learning process.
The concepts in the touchstones provide a valuable guide that can be applied toward
lessons in any area. It encourages a teacher to take steps that improve not only the methods
applied but the environment in which the student learns. One of the most impactful ideas I
gained from the touchstones was the idea of being supportive so that I am making an effort to
engage students in a meaningful way and creating an environment that is conducive to their
learning. Engaging the student is essential so that the opportunity to learn is always present.
Creating a positive environment helps put the student in the proper mindset to participate in the
lesson and test their critical thinking skills.
The lesson this week was most beneficial not only to my student, but to myself as well in
that it opened my eyes to how valuable it is to promote a positive attitude through a positive
learning environment. It was encouraging for me to see how helpful it was to offer the kind of
feedback encourages students to understand which behaviors are going to be most valuable in
learning the lesson. I have stated previously that praising the work and recognizing the effort
was going to be an idea that I will take with me in every lesson. It lead to coachable moments
which the student can use to develop mastery of the subject.

The following table is a representation of the elements I encouraged as a part of creating

the positive and engaging atmosphere which is most conducive to learning and teaching.

Rules for class function

Procedures for a respectful classroom

Everyone deserves to be heard.

Preparation is key for success.

Everyone deserves personal space.

Use the resources available to you.

Be mentally present.

Be proactive toward learning.

Engage in conversation.

Be on time.

Growth happen incrementally.

Be an active participant.

Respect the learning process.

Turn off electronics that are not part of the

lesson.

Dont be afraid to ask why.

The rules represent personal steps student can take out of respect of learning. They require
personal responsibility and autonomy. The procedures represent physical actions that students

observe out of respect for their fellow classmates and the instructor. In my previous iteration,
there was some differentiation in the organization of rules and procedures. My revision is better
aligned to the goals of the The Twelve Touchstones of Good Teaching.
The outcome of my lesson was very positive. Although my son initially objected to the
idea of a lesson when he was not in school, the experience was nevertheless positive. My son
understood the importance of the rules and procedures. I reinforced that these were concepts that
would help him in all his classes. He also found that within a classroom atmosphere, the
opportunity to express himself is important in helping him enjoy classroom experiences.