Bria Koch

IV. F. Diverse Learners

1. Reports on current policies and practices designed to support children, caregivers and families from diverse backgrounds.

Reflection: By using blogs, ISTE materials, webinars, and books, I stay updated on current policies regarding diversity and technology implementation.  

 

Rating: Meets expectation

 

Artifacts: After reading Bain and Weston's book, The Learning Edge: What Technology Can Do to Educate All Children, I wrote two papers discussing some of the book themes and my idea for an ideal classroom. These papers can be found here and here.

 

2. Analyzes current efforts to support diverse learners and how the broader community views learning differences.

Reflection: In GSPE 503, we read numerous articles and watched TED talks to broaden our views about people with disabilities. This course certainly changed my views about disability and allowed me to look at it from different perspectives.

 

Rating: Meets expectation

 

Artifacts: I created a blog as I progressed through the course and my views changed toward disability as a whole and people with disabilities, too.

 

3. Fosters communication with families of English language learners (ELL) to ensure that learners and their families have access to communication in the native language.

Reflection: In GESL 501, I learned many tools for teaching ELLs and working with their families to foster positive relationships between the home and school environments.

 

Rating: Meets expectation

 

Artifacts:I researched and gave a brief presentation to my peers on the organization, GlobalPittsburgh.

 

4. Identifies the use of strategies and resources for students with diverse needs including, but not limited to, gifted, ELL and students with disabilities.

Reflection: By taking special education courses and an ELL course, I've learned different practices for meeting the needs of all learners in the K-12 setting. These courses gave me tools and allowed me to stretch myself to include different technologies.

 

Rating: Meets expectation

 

Artifacts: In GESL 501, I created a lesson with instructional modifications for three students at various stages of language learning. I worked to create a lesson to integrate technology into an English classroom when studying the book, Of Mice and Men.  In my Hyperbook, I included an enrichment section designed at giving gifted students some extra materials to examine on the topic of immigration.

 

5. Advises and supports educators in modifications to the learning environment that are evidence-based practices that do not compromise curricular intent and rigor.

Reflection: It is so importance to be able to make modifications in lessons without altering the content of material. I've been able to meet this competency since before entering the program, but each of the courses within the program, including the special education courses, have enhanced my ability to do this to an ever greater degree.

 

Rating: Exceeds expectation

 

Artifacts: In the Hyperbook that I created for GILT 511, I made modifications for gifted students in order to provide them with extra enrichment throughout the completion of the project. I created instructional modifications in this lesson for high school students on the novel, Of Mice and Men.

 

6. Demonstrates positive and appropriate interactions with all stakeholders in the school environment and community at large.

Reflection: I would definitely consider myself to meet the expectation in terms of conducting myself appropriately within the school environment and community. I have all four of my clearances on file with Duquense University, and these clearances are updated yearly to ensure that everything is as current as possible. It is my job to act in a professional manner at all times, and I strive to be a positive role model for my students. I understand the importance of conducting oneself appropriately and via electronic resources. 

 

Rating: Meets expectation

 

Artifacts: My Acceptable Use Policy shows my understanding of the importance of acting appropriately when using school electronic resources.

 

7. Participates with educators and social agencies working with diverse learners to create learning opportunities.

Reflection: In GESL 501, I learned more about agencies within the community that provide opportunities for English Learners  and other members of the community learn more about language acquisition. It is so important to work with others within the community to make sure that all students are receiving educational opportunities that meet their needs.

 

Rating: Meets expectation

 

Artifacts: I created this presentation to teach my classmates more about the organization, GlobalPittsburgh, which creates many programs within the Pittsburgh community to help people of different cultures feel more welcome. It also provides opportunities for members of the community to serve as mentors for people new to the community.