Wisconsin Standard for Teacher Development and Licensure #3
Title of Experience/Artifact: Diverse Learners
Date Experience Completed: January - March 2007
Describe your educational experience/artifact:
An experience which contributed a great deal to me in helping me interact with diverse learners was during my time as a kindergarten student-teacher. During this experience, I worked with two separate children who had disabilities and exceptionalities. One of the students had a learning disability and the other student had a behavioral disorder. In order to meet their educational needs, I differentiated their instruction.
ALIGNMENT:
Wisconsin Teacher Standard Alignment
This experience best aligns with the Wisconsin Teacher Licensure Standard #3: Teachers understand that children learn differently. I feel this experience best aligns with this standard because it shows my ability to use many different strategies and resources to accommodate my students� diverse needs. Furthermore, I differentiated my instruction based on their individual needs, styles and strengths. This experience also shows how I addressed individual students� unique learning and language development needs by varying the time and circumstances for work, tasks assigned, as well as communication and response modes.
Also aligns with Wisconsin Standard for Teacher Development and Licensure
WSTDL #2 Teachers know how children grow.
WSTDL #7 Teachers are able to plan different kinds of lessons.
UW-Platteville School of Education Knowledge, Skill, & Disposition Statement Alignment
This experience best aligns with KSD2.a. Creating an Environment of Respect and Rapport. I believe this experience best aligns with this KSD because it shows my ability to build a classroom environment in which I maintained high expectations for all my students, including students with disabilities. It also shows my ability to make students take pride in their work by making learning fun. I recognized within myself a true respect for special education and made sure all students in the class knew that. Furthermore, this experience aligns with this KSD because it shows how I ensured a quality learning environment for all my students.
Also aligns with Knowledge, Skill, & Disposition Standards
KSD2.b. Establishes a Culture for Learning
KSD3.c. Engages Students in Learning
KSD3.e. Demonstrates Flexibility and Responsiveness
REFLECTION
My experience working with these two students has taught me to really see the potential in all my students. I have learned to be patient when working with students who have disabilities and adapt their instruction accordingly to meet their needs. I also learned to initiate contact with families to create assignments that met their child�s needs and provide opportunities to have the parents be involved in educating their child at school, as well as at home.
As a future educator, I will make sure to use an extensive repertoire of strategies to ensure full participation and learning for all my students. Before I can do that though, I understand that I first must become familiar with my students� strengths and needs. Lastly, as a future educator I know I will have to promote school and community collaboration to help my diverse students learn in and out of the classroom.
