Standard 9: Professional Commitment and Responsibility
During my internship year when teaching fifth grade ALP, my lead teacher was one of the main people who put on the "Carnegie Library 100th Birthday Celebration". I stayed the entire night. I handed out books and helped give out the cake. I also came early and helped put the decorations up and made sure everything was ready. A lot of Caldwell residents showed up to the celebrations along with many other education personnel. I was happy that I was there showing the community my professional commitment and responsibility. My lead teacher also thanked me for all my help and it meant a lot to her that I stayed the entire time.
Since then, I have gone to every professional development day, and a Dr. Seuss night during my second grade teaching internship with my lead teacher. I also have woken up early to make sure I could make it to RTI meetings for some of my second graders.
Below shows a test I also made for the second graders teachers. There were five of us (excluding me). All of them helped each other and I found it important to show my professional commitment to them, too. I took on the task to write a test for all of them. I wrote down notes consisting of what kind of questions they wanted (they wanted a variety of them). They were very happy with the test and I am glad I could be a valuable member of the second grade team!
Since then, I have gone to every professional development day, and a Dr. Seuss night during my second grade teaching internship with my lead teacher. I also have woken up early to make sure I could make it to RTI meetings for some of my second graders.
Below shows a test I also made for the second graders teachers. There were five of us (excluding me). All of them helped each other and I found it important to show my professional commitment to them, too. I took on the task to write a test for all of them. I wrote down notes consisting of what kind of questions they wanted (they wanted a variety of them). They were very happy with the test and I am glad I could be a valuable member of the second grade team!
This is a picture of my CASA ID card. For three years I have worked as a Guardian Ad Litem/Court Appointed Special Advocate. This means I go to court for children who have been abused and/or neglected. I can say, that without a doubt, I have saved multiple childrens' lives.
I believe this artifact is important to put in my binder because it shows how my professional commitment is shown outside of teaching in the classroom. I want to be there for children who need me, and advocate for their rights. I think being aware of some obstacles and adversities some children face will make me a better teacher. My work at CASA has already shown me the effects that poverty can have on children and their families. Instead of judging , I’ve learned to always look at a situation as if the glass is half full instead of half empty. I also know that sometimes parents just need more support and help when it comes to their children because many of them are working multiple jobs. Being a teacher means not judging parents, but working with them and being understanding to their situation at times.
I also believe since I have advocated for children who have been abused and/or neglected, it is now my duty and responsibility to make sure all my students are safe. Sometimes, working with parents might be out of the question. I am now more aware of what problems might occur if a child is neglected and/or abused. I also know what type of resources and places there are for families to get help. I refuse to be a teacher who sees problems occurring and yet, does nothing about it because I don’t know who to go to. Instead, I know I need to look out for times when I might need to get the administration or the Department of Health and Welfare involved (especially since I want to work in places that have high poverty). I’ve seen throughout my work, a few times, where children are left in homes where they have not been safe for years because no one spoke up. I now know, being a teacher means protecting my students, and it doesn’t hurt to ask questions and go to the proper people to make sure your students are safe ( even if you might be wrong about a situation). This is part of my professional commitment and responsibility to my students.
I believe this artifact is important to put in my binder because it shows how my professional commitment is shown outside of teaching in the classroom. I want to be there for children who need me, and advocate for their rights. I think being aware of some obstacles and adversities some children face will make me a better teacher. My work at CASA has already shown me the effects that poverty can have on children and their families. Instead of judging , I’ve learned to always look at a situation as if the glass is half full instead of half empty. I also know that sometimes parents just need more support and help when it comes to their children because many of them are working multiple jobs. Being a teacher means not judging parents, but working with them and being understanding to their situation at times.
I also believe since I have advocated for children who have been abused and/or neglected, it is now my duty and responsibility to make sure all my students are safe. Sometimes, working with parents might be out of the question. I am now more aware of what problems might occur if a child is neglected and/or abused. I also know what type of resources and places there are for families to get help. I refuse to be a teacher who sees problems occurring and yet, does nothing about it because I don’t know who to go to. Instead, I know I need to look out for times when I might need to get the administration or the Department of Health and Welfare involved (especially since I want to work in places that have high poverty). I’ve seen throughout my work, a few times, where children are left in homes where they have not been safe for years because no one spoke up. I now know, being a teacher means protecting my students, and it doesn’t hurt to ask questions and go to the proper people to make sure your students are safe ( even if you might be wrong about a situation). This is part of my professional commitment and responsibility to my students.