Professional Competencies |

K. Thoresen's Educational Portfolio

Professional Competencies

Competency	Description	Examples
Demonstrates understanding of subject matter and pedagogical knowledge for instruction	Reflects knowledge of subject matter appropriate for grade level in lessons Reflects understanding of pedagogy appropriate to subject matter Understands the interrelatedness of subject area content	Squanto and the First Thanksgiving - 1st Grade Social Studies Lesson Competency: Foundational Understanding
Demonstrates understanding of how children learn and develop, and can provide learning opportunities that support their intellectual, social, and personal development	Demonstrates understanding of students' cognitive, social, and emotional levels Promotes student self-regulation Promotes creativity and novelty in learning	Educational Psychology: Final Paper First Grade Lesson Plan on Coins Competency: Foundational Understanding
Demonstrates understanding of the central role of literacy skills in student learning	Understands the role of reading in student learning Understands the role of writing in student learning Understands the role of speaking in student learning Understands the role of listening in student learning Understands the role of viewing (i.e. interpreting visual representation) in student learning Understands the roles of multimedia in student learning	Read, Write, Think Aloud Lesson Observation Survey Competency: Foundational Understanding
Demonstrates understanding of how students differ in their approaches to learning	Creates instructional opportunities that accommodate diverse students (cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic diversity) Differentiates instruction to accommodate multiple ability levels (including special education and gifted education students)	Observation of Behavioral Problems in Student Differentiation for the Student Competency: Foundational Understanding
Demonstrates an understanding of the purposes and roles of K-12 Education	Understands recent reform policies and expresses awareness of how these policies impact schools Develops and expresses awareness of the vocation of teaching Understands and expresses the roles and relationships among families, school personnel, and other community members	Educational Psychology: Final Paper Reform Policy Paper on Vouchers Competency: Foundational Understanding
Plans lessons that align with local, state, and national standards	Clearly identifies intended learning outcomes for individual students Engages in day-to-day and long-range planning Seeks innovative and creative ways to deliver the curriculum Uses scope and sequence information to guide lesson design Develops focused lessons	First Grade Unit on Plants Competency: Ability to Plan, Organize, and Prepare for Teaching
Selects appropriate instructional strategies/activities	Accommodates regular, exceptional, and culturally diverse students Identifies appropriate grouping (large/small) to facilitate learning Plans effective homework and extension activities that enhance student learning and the home-school collaboration Selects or creates appropriate assessment methods or tools that align with planned objectives	Guided Reading Lesson with Reflection Guided Reading Lessons University Supervisor's Observation Competency: Ability to Plan, Organize, and Prepare for Teaching
Selects appropriate materials/resources	Accommodates regular, exceptional and culturally diverse students Selects materials that enhances the learning process Uses outside resources as needed Uses a variety of supplemental materials Adapts and modifies materials as needed Incorporates multi-media instructional technology	Photostory on Plants Competency: Ability to Plan, Organize, and Prepare for Teaching
Teaches based on planned lessons	Communicates objectives of the lesson clearly Explains content accurately Provides clear directions for student activities Provides guided and independent practice of skills Summarizes/Reviews major concepts of lesson Modifies and improvises the lesson during instruction	Probability Lesson Plan & University Supervisor's Observation Competency: Teaching Skills
Provides for individual differences	Accommodates exceptional learners (special education, limited English proficient, and gifted) Differentiates instruction to accommodate students' multiple intelligences Differentiates instruction to accommodate multiple ability levels Respects and accommodates individual differences in culture, experiences, learning styles, and levels of motivation Uses materials/activities sensitive to various types of diversity	Reading Tutor Lessons Competency: Teaching Skills
Uses motivational strategies to promote learning	Employs extrinsic and intrinsic motivational strategies Assesses motivational issues affecting student learning Diagnoses individual motivational problems	Students are given daily dots for their behavior. Every student who stays on green all week is entered into a random name picker drawing for a pick from the prize bags. Competency: Teaching Skills
Engages students actively in learning	Generates enthusiasm and/or appreciation for the lesson Helps students understand the relevance of the lesson to them Paces the lesson to maintain interest Uses learner-centered activities and assignments that give students multiple opportunities to respond	Apple Fractions Story and Math Centers & University Supervisor's Observation Video of the Lesson Competency: Teaching Skills
Uses a variety of effective teaching strategies	Helps students link new information with prior knowledge Uses cues and advanced organizers Uses questioning strategies effectively Helps students generate and test hypotheses Uses cooperative learning strategies effectively Includes nonlinguistic representations Uses technology appropriately to facilitate learning	Science Circus on Electricity Photographs of the Science Circus Competency: Teaching Skills
Helps students develop thinking skills that promote learning	Promotes critical thinking strategies through questions and other inquiry-based activities Promotes creative thinking skills through brainstorming, flexibility, and elaborative strategies Uses problem-solving models and approaches that encourage student-initiated thinking	Solids and Liquids Lesson & University Supervisor's Observation Competency: Teaching Skills
Monitors student learning	Checks student understanding before, during, and after instruction Provides timely and meaningful feedback to students about progress and performance Adjusts instruction in response to student performance and progress	First Grade Science Lesson Plan Competency: Teaching Skills
Creates and selects appropriate assessments for learning	Uses both formal and informal means of assessment Uses oral, nonverbal and written forms of performance assessment Creates/selects assessment techniques that provide a reliable representation of student learning Creates/selects assessment techniques that provide a valid representation of student learning	Plant Test Plant Test Analysis Competency: Assessment and Evaluation for Learning
Implements assessments for learning	Uses a variety of assessment techniques Provides ongoing and timely feedback Assesses achievement of local, state, and national curricular standards	Reading Inventory of Fourth Grader Competency: Assessment and Evaluation for Learning
Interprets/uses assessment results to make instructional decisions	Diagnoses students' prior knowledge and learning needs Provides oral and/or written feedback to students and family members Uses acceptable scoring and grading practices to evaluate and report student learning Understands and uses student records to guide instructional decisions	Spelling Inventory Competency: Assessment and Evaluation for Learning
Builds positive rapport with and among students	Promotes positive classroom environment Communicates enthusiasm, encouragement, and support Models caring, fairness, courtesy, respect, and active listening Exhibits professional demeanor with students Fosters a sense of classroom community	Thank you Letter Writing Lesson & University Supervisor's Observation Competency: Classroom Management Knowledge and Skills
Organizes for effective teaching	Groups children for optimum learning Organizes classroom for instruction Has all materials needed on hand	Room Arrangement Classroom Arrangement Rationale Competency: Classroom Management Knowledge and Skills
Demonstrates use of effective routines and procedures	Transitions between activities in an organized manner Implements efficient procedures for use of materials Uses effective procedures for managing individual, small group, and whole class activities	Probability Lesson Math center lesson with the procedure that the teacher's hand clap is the signal for students to clean up and change stations. Competency: Classroom Management Knowledge and Skills
Demonstrates efficient and effective use of time	Uses discretionary time wisely Maintains appropriate pace Demonstrates ability to use unexpected moments to enhance learning	Graph of Student Heights used to enhance the understanding of graphs and measurement. Competency: Classroom Management Knowledge and Skills
Maintains a safe learning environment	Maintains respect for rules and procedures Sets clear expectations and responds consistently Models strategies for problem solving Teaches appropriate behavior	Classroom Rules Posted Rules Competency: Classroom Management Knowledge and Skills
Responds appropriately to inappropriate behavior	Provides positive reinforcement for appropriate behavior Redirects off-task behavior Uses a variety of discipline approaches Intervenes when necessary to manage disruptive behavior	Positive reinforcement provided with stickers and weekly prizes. Our stoplight system that is used for negative behaviors. Competency: Classroom Management Knowledge and Skills
Demonstrates professional demeanor and ethical behavior	Shows initiative and self-direction Demonstrates effort and enthusiasm Maintains confidentiality Is punctual and reliable Maintains professional appearance	Competency: Professional Dispositions
Participates in and applies professional development	Uses educational research to inform teaching decisions Actively and reasonably applies new knowledge of content or methods Sets and acts upon professional growth goals Attends school functions (e.g., PTA, faculty/team meetings, extra-curricular activities) Holds membership in professional organizations Shares professional learning with colleagues	Log of Meetings Attended Competency: Professional Dispositions
Demonstrates effective oral and written communication	Communicates effectively and appropriately with students Communicates effectively and appropriately with supervisor, cooperating teacher, and other professionals Communicates effectively and appropriately with families and other members of the school community Initiates communication with family members and responds promptly to concerns	Note to Parents Recycling Project Competency: Professional Dispositions
Reflects actively and continuously upon practice, leading to enhanced teaching and learning	Demonstrates the ability to make informed instructional decisions based on continuous reflection upon past experiences, present instructional situations, and future instructional goals Demonstrates the ability to make informed professional decisions based on continuous reflection of his or her knowledge, skills, beliefs, and attitudes Attends to the intellectual, emotional, and ethical aspects of the profession	Reflection on a visit to Stonehouse for Language Arts/Reading Ideas Reflection on Adaptations for Exceptional Student Populations Course Student Teaching Weekly Reflection Competency: Professional Dispositions Conceptual Framework: Reflective Practitioner
Cooperates, collaborates and fosters relationships with members of the school community	Shares innovative teaching strategies and materials with colleagues Initiates and responds to offers of professional cooperation and collaboration Productively participates in school-based teams, committees, and/or departments Demonstrates awareness of school-community connections Demonstrates cultural competence in collegial interactions	Ancient Egyptian Culture Kit Competency: Professional Dispositions Conceptual Framework: Effective Collaborator
Demonstrates potential for teacher leadership	Has a whole-school perspective Demonstrates basic knowledge of school administration and organization Serves students and/or the school beyond the classroom	Meritorious New Teacher Pre-Candidate Competency: Professional Dispositions

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Professional Competencies