Standard9

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**Standard 9** ** Teachers are able to evaluate themselves. **  The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of his or her choices and actions on pupils, parents, professionals in the learning community and others and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.

Evidence 1: Rationale 1: Prior to entering my graduate program at Marian, I viewed myself as an educator who did not rest on past practices, assignments, and assessments. I attended annual conventions for AP instructors, I collaborated regularly with my colleagues, and I participated in new instructional initiatives throughout our district. Once enrolled in my courses at Marian, new ideas and opportunities changed how I teach and how I view my role as an educator in the 21st century.

A drive in my district is towards differentiation in instruction to meet the needs of a diverse student population. Through the employment of new technology, I felt I was able to move towards that goal while making the learning experience in my courses relevant and rigorous. I feel I was able to meet state standards by infusing new technology, lessons, and websites. Assessments developed became varied to meet a variety of learning styles, more consistent, and more accessible to students. Students had access to online tests and quizzes to help them review and gauge learning. I was able to access chat rooms and websites that allowed me to collaborate with professionals in other states. New ideas and lessons were easy to access and met the needs of my classes with few variations. As a “digital immigrant”, I found that the students were teaching me as much about the technology as I was teaching them. I also found that my colleagues became interested in lessons, software ideas and websites that I was employing in my class. I became a technological mentor to some of colleagues.

With the whirlwind of new ideas and strategies, planning lessons became a larger part of my daily routine. Information available on the internet is like trying to get a drink from a fire hose. There is so much information on the internet. The program at Marian gave opened new doors for me while giving me the skills to use and find the information in a more efficient manner.


 * 9.K.3 The teacher is aware of major areas of research on teaching and other resources for professional learning (e.g. professional literature, colleagues, professional associations, professional development activities).**

Technology has enabled me easier access to collaboration with other social studies teachers, Advanced Placement teachers, and the National Council for the Social Studies.


 * 9.S.4 The teacher draws upon professional colleagues within the school and other professional areas as supports for reflection, problem-solving and new ideas, actively sharing experiences and seeking and giving feedback.**

I have recently acquired a SMART board. I have relied on my colleagues more experienced in the technology than I and district in-services to help me employ the technology in my class. In return, I feel I have given my colleagues ideas about web quests, web 2.0 resources, and other websites relevant to their classroom and curriculum.


 * 9.D.3 The teacher is willing to give and receive help.**

I do feel that there are many of my colleagues who are more versed and experienced with the technology. I have relied on these professionals throughout my entire experience at Marian. I have found their help invaluable. I have found that my advice and ideas to be useful to these people whom I relied on throughout my masters program. I have found that I have become a mentor to some my colleagues who seek out new ideas and technological applications.