2. Learning Differences
“The teacher uses an understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.”
Standard Components
Diversity
The right to a free and equal education is available to all students aged for K12 schools in the United States. Working with students from backgrounds unique to my own and from one another, I feel privileged to learn about the cultures and home teachings of my students and their families.
Equity
Education is truly the path to freedom, as Freire and many others have said. A cornerstone of my practice is grounded in the social justice work of advocating for students in ways that close opportunity and funding gaps. Working with secondary students, poised to take on the world, I strive to provide my students a fair chance at success.
Inclusion
Everyone has unique and valuable things to contribute to a group, and my classroom is a space where all are free to be themselves and be accepted for where they are on their learning journey. I work hard to build and maintain a culture of care and a community of learners who feel safe to take risks, which means making sure that everyone knows they belong to the group.
meeting the standard
When I first secured my practicum placement I was excited to be in familiar territory, just next door to my hometown and current residence. What I came to see over the course of my internship and student teaching however, was how much more there was to this place than I had ever even considered.
Working at La Conner High School and now in the Alternative Learning Environment, being introduced to and learning about Swinomish culture, history and the discrimination and oppression they have faced, while seeing how flourishing and strong the knowledge and understanding they bring has been truly transformative. It was such a blessing to be carried through this experience in the gentle Canvas shell of Dr. Reyes’ design, seeming to always offer needed information at just the appropriate time and guiding me through the necessary processes to help me expand my development further.
The artifacts I have collected to demonstrate my mastery of this standard show my ability to be adaptable, sensitive and inclusive - all while having high expectations for what my students can achieve.
