Performance Standard 6: Professionalism  

The teacher maintains a commitment to professional ethics, communicates effectively, and takes responsibility for and participates in professional growth that results in enhanced student learning. 


Artifact 1: Professional Growth

What I love about teaching is that each day, each year is different. I feel that I continually learn new things. A quote by Ben Sweetland inspires me: “We cannot hold a torch to light another's path without brightening our own.”   My students often have unique ways of analyzing the mathematical concepts that we discuss in class and they sometimes suggest an approach that I had not considered. They yearn for meaningful examples to satisfy their curiosity of why math is important and where is it applied.   One would think that teaching would be boring after a while, teaching the same material year after year. But that is so far from the case! Every year is different because the students are different and they bring with them their different perspectives.  My students are truly engaged in learning which does make my job incredibly challenging at times.  The gifted endorsement I recently completed afforded me to learn strategies to better meet their needs and thus enhance student learning. 

 

Artifact 2: Communication

I make a point to establish connections with parents at the beginning of the school year, letting them know that their concerns are important to me.  My contact information is provided on the course syllabus that is distributed to students and parents at our open house in August.   Open and effective communication promotes students’ well-being and success, therefore enhancing their learning experience.   Whether it is through email, phone calls, or personal contact, I encourage communication from students and parents throughout the year.