Section Four: Alignment to Curriculum & Professional Standards

Introduction

In this section, I will present my knowledge and ability to align professional and curriculum

standards to the daily responsibilities that are expected of an elementary teacher. I will do this by

connecting the professional and curriculum standards to the artifacts that were presented in the previous

section. This section is broken down into two parts. The first part is where I will provide a detailed

description of each standard that I felt were important for each of my artifacts. The second part is a

professional and curriculum standards chart that will provide a less detailed overview of the standards

that I have connected to each one of my artifacts. Curriculum and professional standards are important

as they relate to teacher preparation as they describe the knowledge, skills, and values needed to be a

teacher. Standards allow teachers to reflect on student development, pedagogy, learning theory,

curriculum, ethics, and research that guides professional judgment in practice.

Curriculum & Professional Educational Standards

INTASC Standards

The INTASC Model Core Teaching Standards outline what teachers should know and be

able to do to ensure that all students from Kindergarten to grade 12 are ready to enter college and the

workforce. The principles and foundations of teaching practice are outlined that are involved in all

subject areas and grade levels. These standards communicate what effective teaching and learning

should look like in a transformed public education system, where students are empowered to take

ownership of their learning, that emphasizes the learning of material and application of that knowledge

to real world problems, that values learner differences, and that uses changing learning environments to

maximize learning and engage students. There are ten standards that fall under the following four

categories: The Learner and Learning, Content, Instructional Practice and Professional Responsibility.

Standards one to three are Learner Development, Learning Differences, and Learning Environments.
Standards four and Five are Content Knowledge and Application of Content. Standards six to eight are

Assessment, Planning for Instruction and Instructional Strategies. Standards nine and ten are

Professional Learning and Ethical Practice, and Leadership and Collaboration.

The following artifacts connect with the INTASC Standards:

• Artifact 1: Learning Segment

• Artifact 2: Mathematics Lesson Plan

• Artifact 3: Culturally Responsive Lesson Plan

• Artifact 4: Cyber Safety Presentation

• Artifact 5: Pecha Kucha

• Artifact 6: DASA Certificate

• Artifact 7: Classroom Website

• Artifact 8: Literacy Assessment and Instruction Plan

NYS Code of Ethics for Educators

The New York State Code of Ethics for Educators is a statement by educators that sets clear

expectations and principles to guide practice and encourage professional excellence. A clear set of

principles for all educators can assist in the individual implementation of professional judgement. This

code of ethics is important to the core values of the teaching profession. There are six principals which

I will briefly describe. Principle 1: Educators nurture the intellectual, physical, emotional, social and

civic potential of every student. Principle 2: Educators create, support, and maintain challenging

learning environments for all. Principle 3: Educators commit to their own learning in order to develop

their practice. Principle 4: Educators collaborate with colleagues and other professionals in the interest

of student leaning. Principle 5: Educators collaborate with parents and their community, building trust

and confidentiality. Principle 6: Educators advance an intellectual and ethical foundation of the

learning community.
 The artifacts introduced in section three that connect with this professional standard

are:

• Artifact 1: Learning Segment

• Artifact 2: Mathematics Lesson Plan

• Artifact 3: Culturally Responsive Lesson Plan

• Artifact 4: Cyber Safety Presentation

• Artifact 5: Pecha Kucha

• Artifact 6: DASA Certificate

• Artifact 7: Classroom Website

• Artifact 8: Literacy Assessment and Instruction Plan

Ontario Teacher Ethical Standards

Teachers have a commitment to their students and their student’s learning. The purpose of

the Ontario Teacher Ethical Standards is to inspire teachers to reflect and uphold the dignity of the

teaching profession, to identify the ethical responsibilities and commitments in the teaching profession,

to guide ethical decisions and actions, and to promote trust from the public. The Ethical Standards for

the teaching profession are: Care, Respect, Trust, and Integrity.

The artifacts that connected with this professional standard are:

• Artifact 1: Learning Segment

• Artifact 2: Mathematics Lesson Plan

• Artifact 3: Culturally Responsive Lesson Plan

• Artifact 4: Cyber Safety Presentation

• Artifact 5: Pecha Kucha

• Artifact 6: DASA Certificate

• Artifact 7: Classroom Website

 • Artifact 8: Literacy Assessment and Instruction Plan

P-12 NYS Common Core Learning Standards (ELA, Math and Social Studies)

The New York State Common Core Learning Standards for ELA, Math, and Social Studies

define expectations that must be met for students while ensuring equivalent standards across New York

State. These standards were developed to provide students with an education that prepares them for

college and the workforce upon graduation from high school.

The following artifacts connect to the P-12 New York State Common Core Learning

Standards:

• Artifact 1: Learning Segment

• Artifact 2: Mathematics Lesson Plan

• Artifact 3: Culturally Responsive Lesson Plan

Ontario Ministry of Education Standards

All publicly funded schools in Ontario use the Ontario Ministry of Education Standards

which outline the curriculum requirements and specific learning expectations through each elementary

and secondary school year. These expectations are reviewed intermittently to ensure that the curriculum

remains current, relevant and developmentally appropriate for students for Kindergarten to grade 12.

The standards are a guide for teachers to maintain consistency across content being taught.

The following artifacts connect with the Ontario Ministry of Education Standards:

• Artifact 1: Learning Segment

• Artifact 2: Mathematics Lesson Plan

• Artifact 3: Culturally Responsive Lesson Plan

 International Society for Technology Education for Teachers and Students

(ISTE)

The ISTE encourages educators around the word to use technology to innovate teaching and

learning, accelerate good practice, and solve problems. The ISTE standards provide a framework for

rethinking education and empowering learners in a society with increasing technology use. They ensure

that using technology for learning creates sustainable, equitable learning experiences for all students.

The following artifacts connect to the ISTE standards:

• Artifact 4: Cyber Safety Presentation

• Artifact 7: Classroom Website

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)

The Council for Exceptional Children is an organization dedicated to improving the success

of children and youth with disabilities, gifts, and talents. The CEC advocates for government policies,

sets professional standards, and helps professionals acquire resources necessary for effective practice.

The following artifacts connect to CEC standards:

• Artifact 1: Learning Segment

• Artifact 2: Mathematics Lesson Plan

• Artifact 3: Culturally Responsive Lesson Plan

• Artifact 5: Pecha Kucha

• Artifact 8: Literacy Assessment and Instruction Plan

TEAC/CAEP Claims

These claims ensure the quality of graduates from Medaille College, and ensure that their

students are professional ready and competent to become teachers.

The following artifacts connect with the TEAC Claims:

 • Artifact 1: Learning Segment

• Artifact 2: Mathematics Lesson Plan

• Artifact 3: Culturally Responsive Lesson Plan

• Artifact 4: Cyber Safety Presentation

• Artifact 5: Pecha Kucha

• Artifact 6: DASA Certificate

• Artifact 7: Classroom Website

• Artifact 8: Literacy Assessment and Instruction Plan

Curriculum and Professional Standards Chart

The standards chart below is a quick overview put into a graphic organizer that presents how

the standards align to each one of my artifacts from section three.

Conclusion

Section four has highlighted my ability to connect artifacts that I will use in my classroom, to

the curriculum and professional standards. It is important to ensure that the content that we are

providing to our students is following best teaching practices. Educators need to ensure their practice is

based on current research, and continually reflect to ensure that their daily work is aligned with

curriculum and professional standards. In the next section, section five, I will provide you with my

reflection on my experiences of developing my portfolio, as well as my education experiences during

my program, and my readiness in becoming a teacher.