11 Maine Teacher Standards

Standard # 7— Planning for Instruction: The teacher draws upon knowledge of

Standard #1—Learner Development: A teacher recognizes and understands how
content areas, cross-disciplinary skills, learners, the community, and pedagogy to
students learn and develop as well as recognizing each learns and develops differently
plan instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals.
across all areas: the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, attempts
to meet these different needs Standard # 8: Instructional Strategies: The teacher understands and uses a variety
of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of
Standard # 2— Learning Differences: The teacher uses understanding of individual
content areas and their connections, and to build skills to access and appropriately
differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning
apply information.
environments that allow each learner to reach his/her full potential.
Standard # 9—Reflection and Continuous Growth: Reflection and Continuous
Standard # 3— Learning Environments: The teacher works with learners to create
Growth: The teacher is a reflective practitioner who uses evidence to continually
environments that support individual and collaborative learning, encouraging positive
evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on
social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
others (students, families, and other professionals in the learning community), and
adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.

What it takes to become a Teacher

Standard #4—Content Knowledge:The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of
inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning
Standard # 10—Collaboration: The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and
experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for
opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners,
learners.
families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure
learner growth, and to advance the profession.
Standard # 5— Innovative Applications of Content: Innovative Applications of Content:
The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to
Standard # 11—Technology Standards for Teachers: Effective teachers model and
engage learners in critical/creative thinking and collaborative problem solving related to
apply the National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS•S) as they
authentic local and global issues.

By: Destiny Wetherell

design, implement, and assess learning experiences to engage students and
improve learning; enrich professional practice; and provide positive models for
Standard # 6—Assessment: The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of
students, colleagues, and the community
assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to document learner progress, and to
guide the teacher’s on-going planning and instruction.

★ Knowledge:
The subject in which you are teaching should be one that
you are proficient in articulating and educating others about. You should maintain the
Professional
highest level of understanding in that subject environment.
★ Instructional Strategies:
How you present educational instruction is another key to
teaching standards
Honoring professional ethical standards Commitment to key elements of professional practice
students’ learning and ability to remember information in
a subject matter.
● Fairness ● Belief that all individuals have potential
★ Dispositions:
● Honesty ● Persistence in helping individuals succeed
The way you present yourself in all aspects of life will have an
● Integrity ● Safe learning environment
effect on the acceptance on what you are trying to teach. Being ● Trustworthiness ● Supportive
an unhappy person will make it difficult to try to change a ● Confidentiality ● High expectations
students attitude about a subject matter, it will appear that you don’t care. Leading ● Respect for students and colleagues, ● Reciprocal, active learning
by example is the best way I can think of when talking about disposition. ● Critical thinking
★ Diversity: Being a member of a learning community ● Responsive listening
A teacher should have the understanding that students with differences will have ● Respect for diverse perspectives
different needs and abilities. A good teacher should be able to use these ● Professional dialogue ● Organized/time management
characteristics to his/her advantage in educating the entire classroom. ● Collective improvement
● Reflective practice
★ Reflection:
● Responsibility
The profession of teaching should not be one of stagnancy, one should use reflection
● Flexibility
and successes to grow within the profession. A teacher should use personal ● Collaboration
reflections to maintain a sense of self criticizing and want to stay current in the ● Lifelong learning
subject matter and in the social environment.
 Eligibility Requirements for Student Teaching Maine Teacher Certification Process (number in parentheses means number of semester hours required)

1. Be admitted into an Education Program. Section A:

2. Complete a minimum of 90 credit hours of coursework
Section B: Core Academic Skills for Educators/PRAXIS I
including the required professional education sequence 1. Bachelor’s degree conferred
(all methods courses must be completed before student 2. Mathematics (6)
1. Reading Test: #5712 Score 156

UMPI Teacher
3. English (6)
teaching).
4. Science (chemistry, physics, geology, earth science, soil science, 2. Writing Test: #5722 Score 162
3. Formally apply to the Director of Student Teaching and astronomy, meteorology, oceanography, biology, ecology, botany, 3. Mathematics Test: #5732 Score 150
Field Experience at least one semester prior to placement zoology, anatomy, physiology, environmental science, entomology, 4. Composite Score 468

Education 4.
and be approved by departmental faculty.
Have a 2.50 GPA cumulative average (minimum); have a
2.50 GPA in the subject area major AND the professional
5.
ornithology) (6)
Social studies (geography, history, economics, government,
anthropology) (6) Section D: PRAXIS II
6. Criminal history record check approval – based on fingerprints

Program 5.
sequence; have a 2.50 GPA the semester prior to student
teaching.
Have satisfactory evaluations in all prior field
Section B:
1.
2.
3.
Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects Test Code #5001
Reading/Language Arts-Score 157, Test Code #5002-Score 157
Mathematics Test Code #5003-Score 157,
experiences. 1. Teaching exceptional students in the regular classroom
4. Social Studies Test Code #5004-Score 155
6. Successfully complete the test requirements established 5. Science Test Code #5005-Score 159
(3)***
by the Maine Department of Education and the University 2. Elementary math methods (3)
of Maine at Presque Isle. (Praxis I test and must have 3. Elementary reading methods (3) Section E: Principles of Learning and Teaching Level K-6
taken the Praxis II in their selected major) 4. Elementary science methods (3)
7. Have a Professional Portfolio under construction. 5. Elementary social studies methods (3) 1. Test Code 5622 Score 160 OR Successful completion of a
8. Possess and maintain good health. 6. Elementary language arts methods or children’s literature or state-approved teacher education program
writing process (3)
7. Student teaching (will be waived upon one school year of
successful teaching in Maine under a valid certificate)

Professional
General Conduct
Disposition Professional Qualities

● Demonstrates enthusiasm about the subject matter

● Attendance/Punctuality/Professional Conduct
● Attends all scheduled classes and activities
● Is punctual for all scheduled classes and activities
● Completes formative assignments on time
● Attempts summative assignments on time
● Demonstrates sensitivity to others’ feelings and opinions
● Perceives what to do in order to maintain good relations with
others and responds accordingly
● Maintains a professional appearance and demeanor
● Adheres to CoE program policies and professional standards
Communication and Collaboration
● Collaborates effectively with others
● Uses good judgement in interactions with others
● Displays sensitivity in interactions with others
● Behaves ethically in dealings with others
● Demonstrates effective written communication skills
● Demonstrates effective oral communication skills
● Willingly shares ideas and materials
● Adheres to standards of e-mail etiquette in addressing faculty,
staff and mentors
● Adapts to change
● Seeks and accepts suggestions of others
● Shows sensitivity to diversity
● Accepts constructive criticism
● Receptive to instruction and adjusts performance accordingly
● Responds appropriately to issues of bias and discrimination
● Takes initiative in making contributions in class or field
experiences
● Self-Starter; Identifies needs and attends to them immediately
● Creative and resourceful; Independently implements plans
● Responsible; Attends to assigned tasks or duties on schedule
without prompting
● Distinguishes between relevant and irrelevant information,
claims, or reasons in an efficient and effective manner
● Makes effort to improve performance
● Demonstrates commitment and initiative to the teaching
profession through non-required activities