Running head: ASSIGNMENT 1 – TELLING MY STORY 1

Assignment 1 – Telling My Story

Ciera Diaz

National University

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for

TED 690−Capstone Course

Professor Reyes Gauna

ASSIGNMENT 1 – TELLING MY STORY 2

Abstract

This paper begins by outlining the six domains of the California Teacher Performance

Expectations (TPEs). This paper serves as a reflection on the progress that the author has

made to date on the various Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs). The author also

includes a plan for ensuring continued growth towards competency of TPEs and

professional development. A projected timeline for fulfilling TPEs will be outlined.

ASSIGNMENT 1 – TELLING MY STORY 3

Assignment 1 – Telling My Story

The job of an educator is not only a job where you are continually teaching others

but you never stop being a student yourself. Knowing, understanding, and comprehending

the six Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs) is imperative to meeting the needs of all of

our students. Costantino (2009) states that “There is a direct correlation between performance

standards for student learning and performance standards for teachers. What teachers know and

are able to do is the most important influence on what students learn” (p. 11). The six Teaching

Performance Expectations (TPEs) are:

A. Making Subject Matter Comprehensible to Students

B. Assessing Student Learning

C. Engaging and Supporting Students in Learning

D. Planning Instruction and Designing Learning Experiences for Students

E. Creating and Maintaining Effective Environments for Student Learning

F. Developing as a Professional Educator

A professional teaching portfolio can not only help a teacher find a job but can also

guide a teacher in his or her professional growth and allow for a reflection on the teacher’s

strengths and weaknesses. Costantino and De Lorenzo (2009) state, “Electronic portfolios

have the advantages of accessibility, portability, creativity, proof of teacher technology

skills, enhanced self-confidence, and dissemination to a broader community.” (p. 32).

Knowing the importance of an ePortfolio I have created one using a website. Here is the

link to the site, https://cieradiaz.weebly.com/

Achievement of TPE Competencies

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My ePortfolio is organized around the 6 TPE domains. I am a new teacher so

although I have made progress in all of the TPE domains and I do feel competent in the

various areas they represent, I still have a lot of work and learning to do to say that I am a

master educator in all of the domains. I am using artifacts from my educational

experiences through National University as I am not currently teaching in school. The

artifacts will include class assignments as well as the experience I gain through student

teaching and being a long-term substitute. I have gained a lot of textbook knowledge

however I look forward to the hands on and real-world lesson that will come with having

my own classroom. My strengths are Domains A, B, C, D and E. My weaknesses I feel are in

Domain F. This is because I have a limited amount of professional development in a

situation where I am in the classroom daily.

Strengths and Needs within TPE Domain A:

Costantino and De Lorenzo (2009) state, “The act of collecting, reviewing, and

reflecting on portfolio artifacts is consistently viewed as satisfying and renewing by teacher

candidates.” (p. 5). As I reflect on Domain A, I have determined that I have several

strengths, but that there are also areas where I feel I need to grow. The table below

displays my strengths and areas for growth.

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Area for Growth: What

Domain
A: Making Subject
Matter Comprehensible
to Students
Teaching Mathematics
in a Multiple and Single
Subject Assignment
Strengths
As a multiple subject
teacher, I feel very good
about my knowledge of
English Language Arts,
Social Studies, Science,
and Mathematics.
I would incorporate
subjects into the entire
day and find ways to
integrate and work topics
across all curriculum.
do I want to learn more
about? Where can I
strengthen my skills?
I need to strengthen my
skills in time management.
I often would get so
involved and excited that I
would not get through as
much as I would need to.
I would like to work on
students taking a larger
role in teaching one
another in a small group
setting.

I had students work in Creating more engaging

groups in order to develop projects to teaching Math.
a sense of accountability I plan to take more
with one another as well courses/in-services on
as comradery. teaching math and using
available resources.
I can show many different
ways to solve problems
and encourage students to
try different way.

I use a growth mindset to

encourage students they
are able to do it even if
they aren’t there “yet”

Potential Competencies to be Used for the Professional Development Quest

As I am such a new teacher and am not currently in a classroom I do feel that I have

a lot to learn and a lot of growing to do. I have some ideas of the areas in which I excel in

and the areas in which I need more practice and help. Timing of instruction and

effectively teaching in my given time key areas that I see as needing growth right away in
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order for me to be the most effective teacher. I expect that as I get more experience the

areas of need will begin to diminish and become stronger. It is challenging to determine

exactly what you need to develop when you have only had a limited amount of time in the

classroom. I hope that I continue to grow in the areas I feel are stronger and work to

develop those that I do not feel as confident in.

Goals and Timelines

In order to improve and develop my teaching competencies the first step is to start

my first year of teaching. I currently have a contract and am waiting to start this fall. In

order to address the issue of time management and professional development being in the

classroom and practicing this on a daily basis will help me improve. I also think that the

training and working with a mentor my first two years will assist me in my professional

development. My goal is to continue to become more effective throughout the coming two

years. I am told that teachers often gain tips and tools that help them as they go along and

use the curriculum provided. I will continue to seek professional development in this area

and ask my fellow teachers for help as needed when planning my lessons.
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References

Costantino, P., De Lorenzo, M, and Tirrell-Corbin, C. (2009). Developing a professional

teaching portfolio: A guide for success (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.