Domain four touches on the responsibilities teachers have outside of the classroom. They must maintain a certain level of professionalism; including how they interact with parents, any notetaking they may do to stay on track, and overall contributing to the community they are working in.
4a Reflecting on Teaching
Component A is all about how important reflection is for a teacher. Having reflective skills will greatly help a teacher become more efficient and effective. Understanding what can be better in how you instruct your students or what topics might need more explaining can have a drastic positive impact on your teaching. The elements are self-assessment of teaching, analysis and discovery, and application and continuous improvement.
Self-assessment is a very important tool for teachers. It is a good idea for teachers to try many types of instruction and take notes on what worked and what did not. This will greatly improve student learning. Some ways that an educator can exemplify analysis and discovery is communicating with colleagues on different ways to teach a certain topic and reflecting on what works best for their students. In a classroom, application and continuous improvement looks like the teacher not only noticing areas of improvement but using what they have learned from notetaking and reflection to always use the type of instruction that has been proven the most effective with their students. A good educator should always be reflecting on their teaching and student success in order to find out what the best course action is for their class.
Self-assessment is a very important tool for teachers. It is a good idea for teachers to try many types of instruction and take notes on what worked and what did not. This will greatly improve student learning. Some ways that an educator can exemplify analysis and discovery is communicating with colleagues on different ways to teach a certain topic and reflecting on what works best for their students. In a classroom, application and continuous improvement looks like the teacher not only noticing areas of improvement but using what they have learned from notetaking and reflection to always use the type of instruction that has been proven the most effective with their students. A good educator should always be reflecting on their teaching and student success in order to find out what the best course action is for their class.
4b Maintaining Accurate Records
Component 4b is about documenting student progress. A teacher should be able to keep detailed records on students’ accomplishments and grades, as well as make sure their students are aware of how they are doing. It is important for an educator to understand the level their students are at with their understanding. A teacher is also in charge of non-instructional records such as permission slips and lunch orders.
Teachers must communicate how well the students are doing in an approachable and encouraging way. If a student is not doing well, they must understand what they might be doing wrong and that their teacher wants to help. The goal would be for a student to take responsibility for their grade and realize that that a grade is earned and not just given. A teacher that excels in this component would have students who monitor their own progress and discuss it with the teacher. To help this become a reality, an educator should have notes and records of student progress and have a way of sharing it with them. There feedback should be uplifting even if the student is doing poorly. Overall, a teacher must inadvertently teach their students how to track their own accomplishments, take responsibility, and learn how to talk it out with adults.
Teachers must communicate how well the students are doing in an approachable and encouraging way. If a student is not doing well, they must understand what they might be doing wrong and that their teacher wants to help. The goal would be for a student to take responsibility for their grade and realize that that a grade is earned and not just given. A teacher that excels in this component would have students who monitor their own progress and discuss it with the teacher. To help this become a reality, an educator should have notes and records of student progress and have a way of sharing it with them. There feedback should be uplifting even if the student is doing poorly. Overall, a teacher must inadvertently teach their students how to track their own accomplishments, take responsibility, and learn how to talk it out with adults.
4c Communicating with Families
4c is about how a teacher should engage with families and communities. Learning should not stop when the school day is over; parents and community members can be great tools. A good teacher exemplifies these elements: respect and cultural competence, community values, instructional program, and engagement in learning experiences.
To make families feel welcome, a teacher should always be respectful of different cultures. If an educator is ignorant on cultural traditions that are relevant to their students, it may make a child feel ashamed or misunderstood. That is why it is important to research and understand different backgrounds. A teacher should also get to know the community surrounding the school so they can better understand the values that are shared among their students and their parents. This should feel like a partnership between the educator and parents. To include parents even more, a teacher should share some of the curriculum with parents. It is a good idea to get their contact information and send out a weekly newsletter so that parents can reinforce at home what is being taught in the classroom. Teachers should consider what life might be like for their students and their families so they can relate it to the lessons. If a school is in a rural area, it may be good for the teacher to use nature as an example since those children will be familiar with it. Overall, a great educator is one who engages with the families and community that are part of the school.
To make families feel welcome, a teacher should always be respectful of different cultures. If an educator is ignorant on cultural traditions that are relevant to their students, it may make a child feel ashamed or misunderstood. That is why it is important to research and understand different backgrounds. A teacher should also get to know the community surrounding the school so they can better understand the values that are shared among their students and their parents. This should feel like a partnership between the educator and parents. To include parents even more, a teacher should share some of the curriculum with parents. It is a good idea to get their contact information and send out a weekly newsletter so that parents can reinforce at home what is being taught in the classroom. Teachers should consider what life might be like for their students and their families so they can relate it to the lessons. If a school is in a rural area, it may be good for the teacher to use nature as an example since those children will be familiar with it. Overall, a great educator is one who engages with the families and community that are part of the school.
4d Participating in a Professional Community
To teach most efficiently, one must show a lot of professionality in their actions. The component 4d explains the expectations for how a teacher engages with their school community and culture. Elements of this component include respecting your students and colleagues, being aware of ways the school can improve, and contributing towards school events outside the classroom.
Part of the community is the other teachers. A good educator should show an enthusiasm to share their knowledge and experience with their colleagues. Each teacher has a responsibility to keep learning as an educator and helping your colleagues reach that goal will foster good community and mutual respect. Students also learn much better in an environment where they feel respected and can trust their teacher, which is why confidentiality is so important. A teacher should never use names when talking to other students in reference to one another. The second element, culture of inquiry and innovation, can be accomplished by communicating with colleagues about improvements that can be made to the school. These talks should lead to problem solving in pursuit of having the best school culture possible. A good educator should also service the school. This can be shown by joining organizations or planning school social events.
Part of the community is the other teachers. A good educator should show an enthusiasm to share their knowledge and experience with their colleagues. Each teacher has a responsibility to keep learning as an educator and helping your colleagues reach that goal will foster good community and mutual respect. Students also learn much better in an environment where they feel respected and can trust their teacher, which is why confidentiality is so important. A teacher should never use names when talking to other students in reference to one another. The second element, culture of inquiry and innovation, can be accomplished by communicating with colleagues about improvements that can be made to the school. These talks should lead to problem solving in pursuit of having the best school culture possible. A good educator should also service the school. This can be shown by joining organizations or planning school social events.
4e Growing and Developing Professionally
Component 4E refers to a teacher’s professional development outside of the classroom. According to the framework, a good teacher should be a part of organizations, seek feedback from supervisors and colleagues, and take advantage of opportunities to continue their education.
A teacher can demonstrate this component by being involved in organizations that build up the school and surrounding community. Leadership skills are important to have as a teacher, as well as personal skills. It is easier than ever to share ideas with other teachers. Many social media platforms have groups where teachings can share ideas and assignments to use in their classrooms. Having the ability to connect with colleagues over the internet is a great way to develop and grow as an educator and should be utilized by modern teachers. Another way to grow in this component is to attend courses and conferences. An educator should never stop learning.
A teacher can demonstrate this component by being involved in organizations that build up the school and surrounding community. Leadership skills are important to have as a teacher, as well as personal skills. It is easier than ever to share ideas with other teachers. Many social media platforms have groups where teachings can share ideas and assignments to use in their classrooms. Having the ability to connect with colleagues over the internet is a great way to develop and grow as an educator and should be utilized by modern teachers. Another way to grow in this component is to attend courses and conferences. An educator should never stop learning.
4f Showing Professionalism
Component 4f explains the standards for showing professionalism in the classroom. A teacher who embodies this would be seen as someone students could trust, an advocate for the students, and loyal to the school they work for and their policies. Teachers should always have their students’ best interest in mind and stick to their moral compass.
An educator can portray this component by respecting students’ confidentiality. If a student trusts that their teacher will not gossip about what they tell them, then the teacher can more effectively understand their class. It is important for a teacher to get to know their students because that relationship creates an environment of respect and communication. This will also help a teacher be able to advocate for their students. The interests and likes/dislikes of students is important for a teacher to know so that he or she can tailor the classroom to what is best for them. A good educator must prioritize their students and always have their best interest in mind in all situations. The component also says a teacher should be able to respect and abide by the schools policies as well as want to improve on them in wanting kids to have the best experience.
An educator can portray this component by respecting students’ confidentiality. If a student trusts that their teacher will not gossip about what they tell them, then the teacher can more effectively understand their class. It is important for a teacher to get to know their students because that relationship creates an environment of respect and communication. This will also help a teacher be able to advocate for their students. The interests and likes/dislikes of students is important for a teacher to know so that he or she can tailor the classroom to what is best for them. A good educator must prioritize their students and always have their best interest in mind in all situations. The component also says a teacher should be able to respect and abide by the schools policies as well as want to improve on them in wanting kids to have the best experience.