Artifact Title: College transcripts/Praxis II Scores

Date Completed: Sept. 2009-May 2014/July 20

th
2013

Description of Educational Experience/Artifact Description: This artifact consists of my college
transcripts from my freshmen through senior years, as well as my Praxis II score report. My transcripts
reflect the years of college education I have undergone; with the grades I have received representing my
knowledge of my content. Most importantly is my grade point average in my content area: agriculture.
I am extremely proud of this average because it reflects the amount of knowledge I have acquired
throughout my years here at UW-Platteville and my previous education also. Following that is my Praxis
II scores which are a direction reflection of my content knowledge, as I passed the exam on my first and
only attempt.
Wisconsin Teacher Standard Alignment: I believe this artifact best aligns with the Wisconsin State
Standard Number 1 Content: Teachers know the subjects they are teaching- the teacher understands
the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the disciplines she or he teaches and can create
learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for pupils.
This standard addresses the knowledge the teacher possess of their subject area. By including my
transcripts and Praxis II scores, I can demonstrate a certain portion of my knowledge pertaining to
agriculture. By receiving high grades in my content area, my transcripts show that I have gained
knowledge in each class which increases my content knowledge. Within my Praxis II scores, it becomes
apparent that I am competent in my subject matter as I passed the exam easily on my first attempt.
Both of these artifacts exemplify the central concepts I will be teaching such as: Standard AS1 which
states students will examine the components, historical development, global implications and future
trends of the animal systems industry. Another standard would be FPP1: students will examine
components of the food industry and historical development of food products and processing. Within
my high level methods of education classes, I have acquired an abundance of knowledge useful to the
classroom, tools of inquiry (such as problem solving, utilizing the Socratic Method- being able to
question a question such as: why is something the way it is, or when a student asks why this certain
engine part works being able to ask them directly well what is it that makes this work, why does this
function) and stimulation of the pupils attention and from those concepts I have acquired the ability to
make learning meaningful to my students. My Praxis II scores as well as my higher education agriculture
courses at UW-Platteville exemplify that I have a good grasp on the central concepts and structures of
discipline of my content area because the test is an examination of my knowledge across all agricultural
areas and divisions.



UW-Platteville Knowledge, Skill, Disposition Statement Alignment:
KSD 1. a
I believe this artifact best aligns with KSD 1. a: The candidate displays extensive content knowledge of
his/her subject areas and demonstrates a continuing search for new content knowledge, resources, and
best instructional practices, while understanding student diversity and student misconceptions and
misunderstandings as key to the teaching process.
This best aligns with this KSD because my content knowledge is proven time and time again through test
scores and transcripts of my classes. Coming from a dairy science background, my transcripts
demonstrate a list of classes I have taken to increase my overall knowledge of Agricultural Education. I
have not settled for the classes with which I have a previous knowledge base, but have sought out those
classes which I have no previous knowledge about, and can help develop my content knowledge further.
Examples of such classes would be steering away from the dairy science classes which I grew up being
schooled in on the home farm and rather taking food sciences or principles of meats science.
Secondary Alignments:
KSD3.c Engages students in learning
Reflection About Teaching/Learning: Throughout my time spent at UW-Platteville I have learned many
things. But reflecting back on my time, I am so gracious to have had the opportunity to see first-hand
how much a student can learn if they are engaged and interested in the material. One of the biggest
lessons I took away from college was to be able to associate the lesson with your audience. Ways of
doing that are to make learning fun, playing games or giving hands on real life experiences to the
students; or even just showing the students how this content will benefit and affect them in the years to
come.
Reflection About Myself as a Prospective Educator: At UW-Platteville I have acquired a large array of
knowledge concepts which I can and will incorporate into my lessons when I am out in the classroom
teaching. Classes such as Engines and Tractors Systems have expanded my knowledge tenfold and have
given me a basic knowledge and skill set I can use for many years to come. The best part about my
college education at UW-Platteville was the fact that my professors and advisors pushed me the entire
four years I was in school. Being able to provide classes and content which high school students care to
learn about has been one of the most exciting parts of my education. I have not had to take a class in
Building Hoop Houses (temporary greenhouses) which is content the students do not care to learn
about anyways. Rather, the classes here pertain to the individuals I will teach; that is a rewarding
feeling.