Section One: Teacher Candidate Introduction to the Elementary Portfolio Project

Introduction, Overview and Rationale

Thank you for taking the time to read my Elementary Teacher Portfolio. The purpose of
this portfolio is to demonstrate to you as my potential employer, the knowledge and experience
that I have obtained to be applied to a classroom setting as a teacher. I believe that it is important as a
teacher to exemplify not only understanding but execution in a wide array of competencies to be able to
best educate children. This document will highlight my ability to plan, instruct, evaluate, motivate and
engage students throughout a school year. Throughout the sections contained in my portfolio, you will
be able to assess my capability to teach as well as the integrity that I have for the profession. There are
a total of six different sections that I will explain in further detail below. Material in these sections
includes my background experience, alignment to curriculum and professional standards, a reflection
and examples of teaching known as artifacts. The artifacts will contain lesson plans, certifications as my
teacher website and examples of professional development to show work that I have already completed
in the field. I feel that my portfolio will display my readiness to teach in the field because the contents of
the portfolio. Not only do they demonstrate what I have achieved thus far as a student teacher but how
I am willing to grow when I become a teacher.
Planning
Benjamin Franklin said that if you fail to plan then you are planning to fail and there could be
no greater example of this quote in practice than in the teaching field. As a facilitator it is necessary to
have a plan because I am guiding the students through their instruction. One of the biggest
characteristics that resonate with me in terms of planning is to have background knowledge of the

students capabilities. Knowing what student can achieve allows you to create realistic expectations for
yourself, the student and their parents. Understanding what a child is capable of without teacher
assistance can determine the amount of assistance needed to comprehend a lesson. This is known as
the zonal proximal development introduced by Lev Vygotsky (Vygotsky, 1978). This theory is important
to me because I believe it will assist me in determining how to group kids to work together or to
understand if I should prepare more time to teach a lesson because the majority of students may not
comprehend the concept.
There are many factors that have to be considered in order to produce effective results.
Knowing what standards have to be taught so that lesson and unit plans align with their grade level of
education. It is also during the planning stage that one considers the abilities of their students who may
have acute needs. The best practice strategy evolved by Carol Ann Tomlinson of differentiating
instruction to address the same subject matter requires preparation before the class begins so that class
time can be managed appropriately. This method advocates that a student be taught the best way
suited to their educational level and learning path. Also, that they demonstrate how they have learned
in a suitable manner to their learning path (Moon, 2005). A teacher should also consider the
environment and material they have to teach with because this can assist kids in learning. Planning is
only the first stage that is complete if it is not put into instruction.
Classroom Management
Classroom management is the foundation upon which teachers are able to formulate proper
conduct and expectations of student behaviours. I believe that the number one trait of any classroom
management strategy to be effective is to have consistency. One cannot create expectations without
first explaining the rules the kids are to abide by. Rewards are to be offered but children are to
understand that that is not the reason for appropriate behaviour. Alternatively, negative behaviour

should not only not be tolerated but explained why this detrimental to the student and the classroom. I
believe in a holistic approach whereby the class is a whole and all students play a part in how we build
the mood of the classroom.
Instruction
Instruction is synonymous with teaching. As the teacher I am the example of proper behaviour
and model respect for myself and others. Respect refers to how I respond to my students questions and
answers and helps to create an encouraging rapport between myself and them. I am greatly influenced
by the techniques of Doug Lemov when it comes to delivering instruction. Lemovs techniques of
engaging the students with a hook and then explaining the lesson in detail helps to initiate students
schemas about the lesson that they will be taught. Explaining the goal of the lesson also includes
explaining the steps necessary to be able to achieve learning the lesson. Involve the students in their
own learning so that the experience is enriched through discussion, writing notes and time for
reflection. These are all principles that Lemov has stressed to use that I agree with to help children learn
(Lemov 2010). Instruction also requires time to let the students learn with only guided assistance so they
can practice what is being taught. Using formative assessment can gauge the level of understanding and
allow for corrections to any misconceptions or communications that may have occurred. At this point in
time the students can begin preparing for assessment.
Assessment
I believe that assessment is an essential component of teaching. It is a difficult task to determine
from the entire curriculum what should be tested in a summative format. This is why formative
assessment, projects and presentations should be also be used to have a better grasp of the students
comprehension. Assessment also needs to relate directly to what has been taught. Jay McTighes
understanding of assessment correlates with my beliefs in terms of how assessment should be viewed.

Long term or longitudinal format can allow tracking a students growth over a number of years and
not just for that particular year on that one assessment. This I feel is a truer reflection of the childs
educational level (McTighe 2011). Another component of assessment to be considered is to teach with
cultural responsiveness.
Culturally Responsive Teaching
Culturally responsive teaching is important because learning is enhanced when it can be related
to an experience. This is according to Piagets theory constructivist theory which I concur with and I feel
it also relates to teaching with cultural sensitivity. Students experiences should be incorporated into
how they learn because it will make more sense to them from a practical point of view (Brader-Araje
and Jones 2002). I think that it would also be easier to motivate the students when they can better
understand how the information learned can benefit them in their everyday lives. It is important to
inspire students because they have to want to learn. Teaching children how to become intrinsically
motivated and not just using a reward based system will help develop personal character. To develop
this type of motivation requires a great deal of personal engagement. This is part of the respect factor
that I had mentioned previously which requires truly understanding the child and not just the child as a
student. Having my students talk about their likes and dislikes as well as celebrating the positives in
their life to help to raise self-esteem. These are ways that I like to motivate a child that do not tie to a
specific learning point. In terms of engaging them in academics it is important to stay conscious of their
need to feel secure.
Learner Accommodation
In todays classroom it is important to accommodate students because we are more aware of
the unique ways a childs learning abilities can be affected. Learner Accommodations are essential
because as teachers, it is our job is to help children learn. Knowing that not all students share the same

capacity to learn the same material is the major benefit of teaching with accommodations. Whether
they are technological, verbal, visual or differentiated work sheets, accommodating how one learns also
means we have to accommodate how we assess as well. Assessment must vary so as not to negate the
fact that not all students share the same strengths when it comes to testing or public speaking or
creating artistic projects.
Professional Collaboration
As a new teacher I think it will be extremely important to collaborate with my teacher
colleagues to become a better teacher. Learning is a process that is continuous and so is teaching. I have
already looked into professional development for topics such as inquiry based learning and
differentiated instruction as I feel these are strategies that are necessary to being a great teacher.
Websites like Edutopia.org and creativeteachered.org provide online professional development courses
that allow you to learn on your own time. Another reason why I believe in professional collaboration is
because it fosters a positive attitude towards working with not only other teachers but can help teach
you how to work with children as well.
Portfolio Development
Section one of my portfolio introduces the reasons why I have created this portfolio as
well as the competencies that I believe are necessary to be an effective teacher. I notate the material
that will be discussed within the other sections of the portfolio as well as talk about some of the
theorists that resonate with me as a teacher in training.
Section two of my portfolio will go into depth about my background experience in the teaching
field. This will entail the work that I have completed during my time as a student teacher as well as work

completed in previous years. I will identify how these experiences will benefit me as a teacher due to
their correlations with teaching best practices, philosophies and teaching theories that I believe in.
Section three which is my artifacts will display the skills that I have developed to this point of my
teacher in training career. The materials in this section are my own works that I have used with success
in the classroom setting which will include my website, lesson and unit plans. Section four will highlight
how I as a teacher am guided by the standards set in place to ensure effective teaching. The use of my
artifacts will show how I have used the standards in my teaching practices to achieve a positive and
successful learning experience. This section will also demonstrate my ability to understand the need to
teach with technology as well as teach exceptional children.
Section five is my reflection. I consider this to be an important section in demonstrating my
current understanding of what my experience has taught me and what I think of the teaching
profession. I will identify how I have met the TEAC claims of Medaille in my teacher education program
as well. The final section of my portfolio will be my teacher interview that will be recorded onto a video
for your viewing purposes. I will showcase my website which will have a copy of resume attached and
access to other technological resources that I have used during my teacher education. The interview will
allow me to answer questions in depth for your viewing purposes to better assess my professionalism
and character as a person and as a teacher.
Theories, Theorists and Experts in the Field of Education
Tomlinsons theory is important because differentiation is a way to try and tap into the potential of all
the students by adjusting teaching to the way a student learns. Lemovs best practices for instruction
including activating schemas, explaining in detail the objective and the desired result are necessary to
enrich the learning of the lesson. Vygotskys theory of cognitive development which states the
importance of socialization to the development of how we construct meaning and develop knowledge

and the assessment philosophy of McTighe and Wiggins which I find to be more complete and
understanding of the fact that educational development is a gradual process that will have peaks and
troughs. Therefore, we have to review assessment across a period of time to see how a childs education
is growing Furthermore, evidence of my work will display my teaching style and the experience that I
have attained thus far in the teaching field. The culmination of this portfolio will display my ability to
plan, instruct and assess as a teacher. Furthermore, other competencies that will be exhibited once
again will include effective use of classroom management, professional collaboration and
accommodating cultural as well as student learner diversity.
Conclusion

The portfolio that you are about to review will allow you to have a better understanding
of myself as a potential teacher at your school. The six sections that are covered within the
portfolio serve the purposes of demonstrating my understanding of the aforementioned theorists
and experts who I believe guide and develop quality teaching. I believe that this portfolio will
exemplify why I am a good candidate to become an elementary school teacher. My knowledge of
the competencies and best practices described in detail in this document prove my willingness to
do the necessary to ensure students will receive a quality education when under my care.

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