Educational Competencies

General Competency 1: The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for students.

Specific Competency	Studies/Coursework Developing Competency	Experiences Demonstrating Competency
a. Effectively uses multiple representations and explanations of disciplinary concepts that capture key ideas and link them to students’ prior knowledge		Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program
b. Represents and uses differing viewpoints, theories, “ways of knowing,” and methods of inquiry in his/her teaching of subject matter concepts within and across disciplines	Foundations of Education Child and Adolescent Psychology Introduction to Music Education Foundations of Music Education	Child and Adolescent Psychology lab Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program
c. Evaluates teaching resources and curricula for their comprehensiveness, accuracy, and usefulness for representing particular ideas and concepts and develops and uses curricula that encourage students to see, question, and interpret ideas from diverse perspectives	Foundations of Education Child and Adolescent Psychology Introduction to Music Education Foundations of Music Education
d. Creates interdisciplinary learning experiences that allow students to integrate knowledge, skills, and methods of inquiry and standards of evidence used within and across disciplines		Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program
e. Is committed to continuous learning and engages in professional discourse about subject matter knowledge and students’ learning of the disciplines	Child and Adolescent Psychology	Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program

General Competency 2: The teacher understands how children learn and develop, and can provide learning opportunities that support their intellectual, social, and personal development.

Specific Competency	Studies/ Coursework Developing Competency	Experiences Demonstrating Competency
a. Assesses individual and group performance in order to design instruction that meets learners’ current needs in each domain (cognitive, social, emotional, moral, and physical) and that leads to the next level of development		Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program
b. Stimulates student reflection on prior knowledge and links new ideas to already familiar ideas, making connections to students’ experiences, providing opportunities for active and encouraging students to assume responsibility for shaping their learning tasks
c. Respects the diverse talents of all learners and is disposed to use students strengths as a basis for growth and their errors as an opportunity for learning	Child and Adolescent Psychology	Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program

General Competency 3: The teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.

Specific Competency	Studies/Coursework Developing Competency	Experiences Demonstrating Competency
a. Identifies and designs instruction appropriate to students’ learning styles, performance modes, experiences, background, strengths, and needs	Race and Ethnicity in US History (provides an understanding of different backgrounds through history)	Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program
b. Makes appropriate provisions (in terms of time and circumstances for work, tasks assigned, communication and response modes) for individual students who have particular learning differences or needs and/or identifies when and how to access appropriate services or resources to meet exceptional learning needs		1. Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program (one of my pupils has ADHD)
c. Creates a learning community in which individual differences are respected and students learn to respect and value each other		Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program
d. Appreciates and values human diversity and shows respect for students’ different talents, perspectives, and experiences	Foundations of Education Child and Adolescent Psychology Race and Ethnicity in US History (provides knowledge of different racial and ethnic backgrounds)	Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program

General Competency 4: The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage students’ development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.

Specific Competency	Studies/Coursework Developing Competency	Experiences Demonstrating Competency
a. Carefully evaluates how to achieve learning goals, choosing alternative teaching strategies and materials to achieve different instructional purposes and to meet students needs (e.g. developmental stages, prior knowledge, learning styles, and interests)	Child and Adolescent Psychology
b. Uses multiple teaching and learning strategies to engage students in active learning opportunities that promote the development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance capabilities and that help students assume responsibility for identifying and using learning resources
c. Varies his or her role in the instructional process (e.g. instructional facilitator, coach audience) in relation to the content and purposes of instruction and the needs of the students		Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program
d. Develops a variety of clear, accurate presentations and representation of concepts, using alternative explanations to assist students’ understanding and presenting diverse perspectives to encourage critical thinking
e. Values flexibility and reciprocity in the teaching process as necessary for adapting instruction to student responses, ideas, and needs	Child and Adolescent Psychology	1. Child and Adolescent Psychology (when students mention words that the school does not deem politically correct)

General Competency 5: The teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

Specific Competency	Studies/Coursework Developing Competency	Experiences Demonstrating Competency
a. Creates a smoothly functioning learning community in which students assume responsibility for themselves and one another, participate in decision making, work collaboratively and independently, and engage in purposeful learning activities that help them develop the motivation to achieve		Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program
b. Organizes, allocates, and manages the resources of time, space, activities, and attention to provide active and equitable engagement of students in productive tasks and maximizes the amount of class time spent in learning by creating expectations and processes for communication and behavior along with physical setting conducive to classroom goals		Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program
c. Helps the group to develop shared values and expectations for student interactions, academic discussion, and individual and group responsibility that create a positive classroom climate of openness, mutual respect, support, inquiry, motivation, engagement, and productive work		Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program
d. Values the role of students in promoting each others’ learning and recognizes the importance of peer relationships in establishing a climate for learning	Child and Adolescent Psychology	Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program
e. Recognizes the need for intrinsic motivation in order to encourage life-long growth and learning	Child and Adolescent Psychology	Child and Adolescent Psychology lab Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program

General Competency 6: The teacher uses knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.

Specific Competency	Studies/Coursework Developing Competency	Experiences Demonstrating Competency
a. Models effective communication strategies in conveying ideas and information and in asking questions and knows how to ask questions and stimulate discussion in different ways for particular purposes	Child and Adolescent Psychology
b. Supports and expands learner expression in speaking, writing, and other media
c. Communicates in ways that demonstrate a sensitivity to cultural and gender differences	Race and Ethnicity in US History	Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program
d. Knows how to use a variety of media communication tools, including audio-visual aids and computers, to enrich learning opportunities
e. Is a thoughtful, sensitive, and responsive listener	Child and Adolescent Psychology	Child and Adolescent Psychology lab Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program

General Competency 7: The teacher plans instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, students, the community, and curriculum goals.

Specific Competency	Studies/Coursework Developing Competency	Experiences Demonstrating Competency
a. Selects and creates learning experiences that are appropriate for curriculum goals, relevant to learners, and based upon principles of effective instruction (e.g. that activate students’ prior knowledge, anticipate preconceptions, encourage exploration and problem-solving, and build new skills on those previously acquired)
b. Creates lessons and activities that operate at multiple levels to meet the developmental and individual needs of diverse learners and help each progress
c. Creates short-range and long-range plans that are linked to student needs and performance, responds to unanticipated sources of input, and systematically adapts the plans to ensure student progress and motivation and to meet student needs and enhance learning	Child and Adolescent Psychology	1. Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program (decide how to break down music to teach for the rehearsal so that the mallets are able to play as far as the battery)
d. Believes plans must always be open to adjustment and revision based on student needs and changing circumstances	Child and Adolescent Psychology	1. Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program (spend more time on particular sections than planned because of student need)

General Competency 8: The teacher understands and uses formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social and physical development of the learner.

Specific Competency	Studies/ Coursework Developing Competency	Experiences Demonstrating Competency
a. Appropriately uses a variety of formal and informal assessment techniques (e.g. observation, portfolios of student work, teacher-made tests, performance tasks, projects, student self-assessments, peer assessment, and standardized tests) to enhance her or his knowledge of learners, evaluate students’ progress and performances, and modify teaching and learning strategies		1. Child and Adolescent Psychology lab (used observations, student response, and performance tasks)
b. Solicits and uses information about students’ experiences, learning behavior, needs, and progress from parents and colleagues, and involves learners in self-assessment activities, to help them become aware of their strengths and needs, and to encourage them to set personal goals for learning		Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program (set goals to reach certain spots in the music)
c. Evaluates the effect of class activities on both individuals and the class as a whole and monitors his or her own teaching strategies and behavior in relation to student success, modifying plans and instructional approaches accordingly
d. Maintains useful records of student work and performance and can communicate student progress knowledgeably and responsibly, based on appropriate indicators, to students, parents, and other colleagues		Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program (make notes of students performance to report to percussion superior)
e. Is committed to using assessments to identify strengths and promote growth rather than to deny students access to learning opportunities

General Competency 9: The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (students, parents, and other professionals in the learning community) and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.

Specific Competency	Studies/Coursework Developing Competency	Experiences Demonstrating Competency
a. Uses classroom observation, information about students, and research as sources for evaluating the outcomes of teaching and learning and as a basis for experimenting with, reflecting on, and revising practice	Child and Adolescent Psychology	Child and Adolescent Psychology lab
b. Seeks out professional literature, colleagues, and other resources to support his/her own development as a learner and a teacher	Foundations of Education Child and Adolescent Psychology Introduction to Music Education Foundations of Music Education	Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program (referred to professional literature for multi-mallet grip technique)
c. Draws upon professional colleagues within school and other professional arenas as supports for reflection, problem-solving and new ideas, actively sharing experiences and seeking and giving feedback		Child and Adolescent Psychology lab Mallet Instructor/Arranger with Lewistown Area High School band program (asked for feedback from and gave feedback to percussion superior)
d. Values critical thinking and self-directed learning as habits of mind and is committed to reflection, assessment, and learning as an ongoing process
e. Recognizes his/her professional responsibility for engaging in and supporting appropriate professional practices for self and colleagues		PCMEA, Elizabethtown College MENC

General Competency 10: The teacher fosters relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support students’ learning and well-being.

Specific Competency	Studies/Coursework Demonstrating Competency	Experiences Demonstrating Competency
a. Participates in collegial activities designed to make the entire school a productive learning environment
b. Makes links with the learners’ other environments on behalf of students, by consulting with parents, counselors, teachers of other classes, and professionals in other community agencies; establishes respectful and productive relationships with parents and guardians from diverse home and community situations; develops cooperative partnerships in support of student learning and well being; and identifies and uses community resources to foster student learning
c. Talks with and listens to the student, is sensitive and responsive to clues of distress, investigates situations, and seeks outside help as needed and appropriate to remedy problems	Child and Adolescent Psychology	Child and Adolescent Psychology lab Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program (make myself available to all students in the band because they often feel more comfortable talking to someone close to their age)
d. Acts as an advocate for students
e. Respects the privacy of students and the confidentiality of information		Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program (Whatever is told in confidence, stays in confidence.)
f. Is willing to work with other professionals to improve the overall learning environment for students		Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program (staff meetings to determine what needs fixed and how to make the season more enjoyable)

General Competency 11: The prospective teacher exhibits appropriate personal and professional habits, social and emotional characteristics, and interaction and communication skills.

Specific Competency	Studies/Coursework Demonstrating Competency	Experiences Demonstrating Competency
a. Demonstrates important personal and professional skills		Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program (One must possess mallet playing skills to teach them.)
b. Demonstrates appropriate social and emotional characteristics
c. Demonstrates effective interaction and communication skills		1. Mallet Instructor with Lewistown Area High School band program (Student-instructor relationship is full of communication.)