1.
The Learner and Learning 
Standard #1: Learner Development
The teacher understands how learners grow
and develop, recognizing that patterns of
learning and development vary individually
within and across the cognitive, linguistic,
social, emotional, and physical areas, and
designs and implements developmentally
appropriate and challenging learning
experiences.
Standard #2: Learning Differences
The teacher uses understanding of individual
differences and diverse cultures and
communities to ensure inclusive learning
environments that enable each learner to meet
high standards.
Standard #3: Learning Environments
The teacher works with others to create
environments that support individual and
collaborative learning, and that encourage
positive social interaction, active engagement
in learning, and self-motivation.
2. Content
Standard #4: Content Knowledge  I demonstrated content knowledge by aligning
To meet this competency, a teacher needs to
ensure that lessons are engaging for the level
of the learners. I created several lessons that
engaged learners of many backgrounds
(including SPED and ELL). These lessons
included physical movement and cooperative
learning strategies that keep students engaged.
I differentiated my lessons to meet the needs
of students with a variety of learning
differences. I was careful to ensure that
whatever I assigned my students was an
authentic representation of their learning. For
example, I would record myself reading
directions for a social studies assignment to
ensure students of a lower reading level or
ELL background would not misunderstand the
directions. Differentiated lessons means that
every student, regardless of background or
ability, can understand what is being taught.
I fostered a learning environment in the
classroom that frequently required students to
engage with each other. This social interaction
forces students to grow in their empathy,
understanding, and communication. When
difficulties arose in the classroom, I modeled
problem-solving and reconciliation skills with
the students.
I further encouraged students to be engaged
with the material by making lessons fun (with
call and response, interesting stories, fun
pictures, etc).
 
The teacher understands the central concepts,
tools of inquiry, and structures of the
discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates
learning experiences that make these aspects
of the discipline accessible and meaningful
for learners to assure mastery of the content.
my lessons closely to the Virginia Standards
of Learning. To ensure students fully
understood the content they were expected to
learn, I created engaging lessons with several
activities and cooperative learning strategies.

Standard #5: Application of Content I demonstrated how students can apply

content to their everyday life by connecting
The teacher understands how to connect my personal experiences and the experiences
concepts and use differing perspectives to of others to the content I taught the students.
engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, By doing this, I modeled how a person can
and collaborative problem solving related to synthesize their learning with their real-world
authentic local and global issues.  experiences.

3. Instructional Practices

Standard #6: Assessment I assessed students both formally and

informally, using a variety of assessment tools
The teacher understands and uses multiple such as exit tickets, quizzes, projects,
methods of assessment to engage learners in worksheets, and “thumbs up or thumbs down”
their own growth, to monitor learner progress, to quickly gauge student understanding. I let
and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s this assessment guide my lesson planning as I
decision making discovered what I needed to re-teach or which
students I needed to meet with for
remediation.

Standard #7: Planning for Instruction
The teacher plans instruction that supports
every student in meeting rigorous learning
goals by drawing upon knowledge of content
areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills,
and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of
learners and the community context.
I planned lessons for each day that provided a
detailed explanation for every activity (to
include whole group, small group, and
independent instruction). I followed the
pacing guide of the school district and aligned
each lesson to a specific learning standard. I
used creativity to ensure that the students
would enjoy each lesson and stay engaged.

Standard #8: Instructional Strategies I used several instructional strategies that

engaged students with each other throughout
The teacher understands and uses a variety of the day, helped maintain an orderly
instructional strategies to encourage learners classroom, and solidified the content in the
to develop deep understanding of content students’ minds. Some of these strategies
areas and their connections, and to build skills included anchor charts, slideshow
to apply knowledge in meaningful ways. presentations, “Turn and Talk,” “Think-Pair-
 Share,” “Ask Three Before Me,” and a variety
of call and responses to maintain the attention
of the students.

4. Professional Standards 

Standard #9: Professional Learning I reflected on my lessons after each day,

and Ethical Practice
The teacher engages in ongoing professional
learning and uses evidence to continually
evaluate his/her practice, particularly the
effects of his/her choices and actions on
others (learners, families, other professionals,
and the community), and adapts practice to
meet the needs of each learner.
noting areas of growth and planning my future
lessons to adjust for these growth areas. I
worked with my cooperating teachers and
other school staff to ensure I was engaging
with students, parents, and staff members in a
professional and appropriate manner. I
practiced fair discipline with my students to
students, focusing on positive behaviors but
also giving natural consequences when
necessary (for example, a student who throws
mulch on another student at recess will sit
with me for the remainder of the recess time).

Standard #10: Leadership and I took initiative in my student teaching

Collaboration placements to plan lessons for the planning
team and involve myself in meetings and
The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles events. I collaborated with my cooperating
and opportunities to take responsibility for teachers each day to ensure the learning
student learning, to collaborate with learners, environment was the best possible for the
families, colleagues, other school students. I further worked with students to
professionals, and community members to help them learn to problem-solve and take
ensure learner growth and to advance the initiative themselves.
profession.