GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY

STUDENT TEACHING EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE (STEP)

STANDARD 1, PART I

Student Teaching Evaluation of Performance (STEP) is the process for preparing and implementing a unit of instruction.

By understanding the community and school environment and the makeup of the classroom, you will be able to strategically meet the overall needs of your
students. In the first two weeks of student teaching, you should focus on learning about the students you will be working with. You are expected to teach the
unit you are preparing by the end of week 8.

Review the geographic, district, and school demographics of your student teaching classroom. Utilize the district or school website, your cooperating
teacher/mentor, or school administrator for this information. You may also use your state Department of Education website for statistical data on community
and school demographics.

Complete STEP Standard, 1 Part I that includes:

A. Geographic Location
B. District Demographics
C. School Demographics

APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected. This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to
become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need
assistance.

Please note, that in order to submit this assignment, you must:

1. Complete each section of the STEP Standard 1, Part II as directed in the course syllabus.
a. Note: Closing your internet browser before the signing process is completed will result in a loss of your work. If you will be completing this
document in multiple sittings, it is highly recommended to save and back up your work on another document. When you are ready to make
your final submission, copy and paste your responses into this document. The data from this electronic document will not be saved until you
complete the signing process.

2. Complete the signing process by entering your name, selecting “Click to Sign”, and entering your email address.
 An initial email will be sent to you to confirm your email address.
 A completed copy of the document will be emailed to you within minutes of confirming your email address.

3. Submit a completed copy to the appropriate submission space for grading.

©2022. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.

 GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY
STUDENT TEACHING EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE (STEP)

TEACHER CANDIDATE INFORMATION:

Teacher Candidate Teacher Candidate Student ID:
First Name:
Kimberly
Last Name:
Benjamin 20816018
Email Address: Phone: (901)356-6056 State:
kimberlymbenjamin@yahoo.com TN- Tennessee
Program of Study:
B.S. in Early Childhood Education

STANDARD 1, PART I: COMMUNITY, DISTRICT, SCHOOL, & CLASSROOM FACTORS

A. GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION
Cooperating School State: If “Other” School State Cooperating School
TN- Tennessee Selected, Specify: City: Atoka

Population of City: School Classification: If “Other” Classification

10,494 Public Selected, Specify:
Facility Setting: Stability of Community: Perception of the Level
Suburban State of Growth of Community Support: High

 Discuss the possible effect these characteristics could have on planning, delivery, and assessment of your unit.
 Cite the references used for this information.
Atoka, TN is steadily growing due to new housing development and Tipton County lower property taxes. The city of Atoka also has many military families that live in the area due
to the U.S. Naval Base being located in Millington, TN, which is south of Atoka. Due to this, there are new students starting Atoka Elementary at different times in the school year.
Depending on where those new students are academically could alter planning, delivery, and assessments.

Reference:
World Population Review (2023). Atoka, TN Population 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023, from https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/atoka-tn-population.

©2022. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.

 B. DISTRICT DEMOGRAPHICS
District Name: Tipton County Schools District Grades Served:
PK-12

Number of Schools in Number of Students Percentage of Students in

District: 14 Enrolled in District: 10, 393 the District Receiving Free 0
or Reduced-Price Lunch:
 Describe the district demographic data, including statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it, for your cooperating school
district.
White 70%
African American 22%
Hispanic/Latino 4%
0.6% Asian/Asian Pacific Islander
0.2% American Indian/Alaska Native
0.1% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

 Discuss the possible effect these characteristics could have on planning, delivery, and assessment of your unit.
 Cite the references used for this information.
Socioeconomics can play a huge role in academics. The percentage of reduced/free is not available for me to use. I contacted the district to see if this information could be given
to be, but I did not hear back. The only website I could find with any information about free/reduced lunches did not have any information available.

The major race in Tipton County schools is White, with African American being second, and Hispanic in third. For any ELL students, teachers differentiate the learning material
based on their fluency in English by completing a questionnaire. Tipton County Schools also has an ELL aid that works with these students during the day.

Reference:
U.S News (2023). Retrieved February 15, 2023, from https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/tennessee/districts/tipton-county-100903.

©2022. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.

 C. SCHOOL DEMOGRAPHICS
Cooperating School Atoka Elementary Cooperating School Title One (I):
Pk-5 No
Name: Grades Served:
Number of Students Percentage of Students in Academic Achievement 89%
Enrolled in School: 855 the School Receiving Free 30% Ranking/Label of the
or Reduced-Price Lunch: School:
 Discuss the possible effect these characteristics could have on the planning, delivery, and assessment of your unit.
 Cite the references used for this information.
Again, socioeconomics plays a huge role on learning. Although this does play a big role, Atoka was a high rating and a lower number of free/reduced lunches. Atoka consists of
mostly middle class families. Atoka also does not meet the criteria to qualify as a Title 1 School. It is the only school in the district that is not Title 1. There are however lower
class families in the community and/other factors that can effect the planning, delivery, and assessment of content. Those other factors are not necessarily due to lower class
status. The factors can also effect middle class families. A specific example is stress.

AGREEMENT AND SIGNATURE

I, the above named, GCU student attest this submission is accurate, true, and in compliance with GCU policy guidelines, to the best of my ability to do so.
NOTE: The data entered into this document may be audited for accuracy. Students who engage in fabricating, falsifying, forging, altering, or inventing information
regarding clinical practice/ student teaching may be subject to sanctions for violating GCU academic integrity policies, which may include expulsion from GCU.

Teacher Candidate Date:

E-Signature: Kimberly Benjamin
Kimberly Benjamin (Feb 15, 2023 14:20 CST)
Feb 15, 2023

©2022. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.