Standard 2 gets me sometimes. Maybe because we don't have a very diverse population, so I tend not to focus on making sure a variety of backgrounds are represented. Here are the big ideas of Standard 2: Teachers Establish a Respectful Environment for a Diverse Population of Students.
- Teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults.
- Teachers embrace diversity in the school community and the world.
- Teachers treat students as individuals.
- Teachers adapt their teaching for the benefit of students with special needs.
- Teachers work collaboratively with the families and significant adults in the lives of their students.
Here are the things I used as artifacts:
- PEP and DEP paperwork - PEPs are for below level kids, DEPs are for kids identified as AIG.
- Conferences with parents
- Conference, phone calls, and email communication with a social worker for a student who was having difficulties outside of school
- Bullying prevention lessons
- "Eliminating Bias" workshop at the Raising Achievement and Closing the Gap conference
- Tuesday folders
- Classroom website/voice mail maintained
I understand the need for this standard - I did well in it, but I can definitely improve, especially in the area of family involvement. I'm already working on how to "fix" that for the new year. I'm also hoping that I can handle the "treat students as individuals" better/differently since I will be seeing all the 6th grade students. In this standard it is both a blessing and a curse that I've taught some of these students before. I need to focus on the positives, let go of prior bad experiences, and start fresh!
