ARTIFACT DESCRIPTIONS:

Book Review; Presentation Reflection; Observation Summary

The first artifact presented here is a book review that I drafted as a
requirement for my graduate courses at UW-Platteville. The book was
Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome. It offered a unique perspective of
being authored by a 13-year-old boy with Asperger Syndrome. The second
artifact is my reflection on a classroom presentation that was made by
parents of students with disabilities. This presentation offered another inside
look into the challenges that face students with disabilities and their families.
The last artifact presented here is a summary of my observations of a
student who had a unique and fairly rare condition. I observed this child who
had Landau-Kleffner Syndrome in various environments and times.
ALIGNMENTS:
Wisconsin Teacher Standards
Standard 2 - Teachers know how children grow.
The teacher understands how children with broad ranges of ability learn and
provides instruction that supports their intellectual, social, and personal
development.
Each of these documents that I drafted for graduate classes at UW Platteville
align with Standard Two of the WI 10 teaching standards in that they
demonstrate my study, observation and exposure to the unique perspectives
and situations that are present in each individual student. My understanding
of the individual characteristics of each student and their families was
augmented by my reading, hearing and observing their stories and
interactions. My reflection on these unique elements to reaching and
challenging every child, no matter how situated, has afforded me a great
benefit in keeping focus on the individual needs of children as they grow and
how they arrive to my classroom in their unique ways.
UW Platteville School of Education Knowledge, Skill and Disposition
Statement
KSD 1.b. DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE OF STUDENTS
The candidate displays knowledge of the typical developmental characteristics,
learning styles, skills, interests, developmental backgrounds, and cultural

heritages of students and is always aware of the broad ranges and variety
present for each of these student characteristics and lifestyles.

KSD 3.e. DEMONSTRATES FLEXIBILITY AND RESPONSIVENESS

The candidate has the ability to make appropriate adjustments to his/her
instruction and accommodates students questions and interests while being
aware of student differences and difficulties, and can use a wide range of
resources and strategies to meet all students needs in the classroom.
The artifacts presented here demonstrate that I have an appreciation for and
desire to identify the unique needs and circumstances of every student that I
work with as an educator. An appreciation for students with Asperger
Syndrome, conditions like Landau-Kleffner Syndrome and the impact and
inclusion of their families is as important to serving them as a teacher as it is
that I possess a huge body of academic knowledge. In fact, I might offer that
having an appreciation for the unique needs of my students and truly striving
to see things from their perspectives is actually more important than my
academic background.
REFLECTIONS AND IMPACT ON PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
What I learned about teaching I learned that there is no perfect student. In
fact, the reality is that every student is unique, some with greater challenges
that others. I learned that it also takes interest, commitment and effort in
devoting quality time to grasp the challenges that each student faces as
they navigate their days at school and beyond the walls of the school
building. This makes it a very personal endeavor as an educator. Absent such
a commitment, the act of simply being there every day and treating each
student with a similar approach and without real connection will be fruitless.
What I learned about myself as an educator I learned that I am better as an
educator when the stakes are high. Getting to know your students and their
families and making the relationship with them a priority precludes you from
dismissing the effort and investment. It takes real emotion and caring to be
invested in something and people. I know that those relationships for me are
the heart of the matter. There is no vacuum to operate in when you are a
committed and effective educator. The idea of investing in the kids I see
every day has been reinforced from my experiences and reflection on the

types of activities and learning that I have engaged in that are represented
by the artifacts presented here.