The candidate has deep knowledge of current and emerging state initiatives and programs including, but not limited to, the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI); the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI); Alabama Learning Exchange (ALEX); Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators and Students Statewide (ACCESS); and RTI (Response to Instruction) and their relationship to student achievement.
My engagement with professional communities on platforms like Pinterest and Facebook has deepened my understanding of Alabama’s key educational initiatives, such as the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) and the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI). For example, I participate in Facebook groups hosted by AMSTI educators, where I discover innovative ways to integrate math and technology into literacy lessons. This directly influences how I approached thematic teaching in The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by incorporating digital tools to enhance comprehension and engagement. Additionally, I joined a Facebook group for Alabama educators that regularly shares updates on the Alabama Learning Exchange (ALEX). This group provides curated lesson plans and resources that align with state standards and enrich my classroom strategies. Finally, I actively scroll through Pinterest to research ideas to incorporate in the classroom to keep students engaged and focused on the task at hand. By engaging with these communities, I’ve strengthened my ability to leverage these programs to support student achievement and meet diverse learning needs
The candidate understands how content and skill development can be supported by media and technology and knows how to evaluate these resources for quality, accuracy, and effectiveness.
Social media platforms like Pinterest and YouTube are invaluable in identifying high-quality, accurate, and effective resources to support content and skill development in my classroom. On Pinterest, I find graphic organizers and interactive tools that enhance my students’ ability to analyze character development and themes in The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Meanwhile, YouTube provides access to professional development webinars that focus on integrating multimedia projects into ELA lessons. YouTube also shows how to use digital tools effectively within the classroom to keep students engaged. I evaluate these resources for accuracy and effectiveness by cross-referencing them with academic standards and feedback from colleagues in a professional learning network (PLN) on Facebook. These tools enrich my teaching and allow my students to develop critical thinking and digital literacy skills, as evidenced by their multimedia presentations during the elaboration phase of the 5E lesson plan
The candidate dedicates time to collaborating with both colleagues and students to improve practice, discover and share resources and ideas, and solve problems.
Interacting with professional networks on Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest significantly enhances my collaboration with both colleagues and students. On Facebook, I joined an ELA-focused group where educators share strategies for implementing the 5E instructional model. This group helps me refine my lesson plan's engagement and exploration activities, ensuring they are interactive and relevant to student interests. I also connect with local educators on Facebook to exchange ideas for formative assessments and technology integration, such as using Padlet for collaborative brainstorming during the engagement phase. These interactions improve my teaching practices and allow me to share insights with my students, encouraging them to actively participate in discussions and collaborative projects.
The candidate continually improves his or her practice by learning from and with others and exploring proven and promising practices that leverage technology to improve student learning.
I continually seek to improve my practice by engaging with others on platforms like Facebook and YouTube to explore effective, research-based teaching strategies. For example, I follow education influencers and participate in webinars discussing the use of digital storytelling tools to enhance student engagement. This inspires me to incorporate Canva into the elaboration phase of my lesson plan, allowing students to create visually compelling projects that demonstrate their understanding of the novel. Additionally, I frequently engage with my PLN on social media to stay updated on emerging technologies and their applications in education. By reflecting on these interactions and integrating proven practices, I enhance my students’ learning experiences and outcomes.
The candidate seeks out opportunities for leadership to support student empowerment and success and to improve teaching and learning.
Social media is also a platform for discovering and pursuing leadership opportunities that empower students and improve teaching and learning. On Facebook, I joined a statewide educators’ group that shares initiatives aimed at fostering student leadership, creativity, and success. This group inspires me to guide my students in taking ownership of their learning by creating student-led digital presentations. I also use Facebook to collaborate with other educators to design interdisciplinary projects integrating technology and critical thinking skills. By leveraging social media, I grow as a leader and empower my students to achieve their full potential.