Danielle S.

Fox
Competency Based Growth
Teacher Overview
26 November 2014
If my teaching career were a graph, it would be an exponential
growth function. For every day I spend with the inspirational and
supportive faculty, parents and students at ECS, my abilities as an
educator increase. The guiding principles: commitment, collaboration,
catalyst, and character, serve as the foundation on which I improve my
practice. I am creative, enthusiastic, reflective, and have a variety of
experience, but above all I am devoted to doing what is best for
students. I continually challenge myself to progress and be openminded and invite my students to do the same. In addition to sharing
my enduring curiosity, I inspire kids to become problem solving
enthusiasts, critical thinkers, and thoughtful members of the
community. I have been able to come into my own as a teacher since
starting at ECS, and have had many opportunities to demonstrate and
sharpen my skills, strengthen my weaknesses, and learn new ways to
take on challenges.
One of my greatest strengths is how comfortable I am with
change. Change is a symptom of growth and reflection. I actively strive
to make my practice better everyday. Whether it is writing reflections
about lesson plans, asking for advice from co-workers, or attending
professional development opportunities, I refuse to be stagnant. If a

lesson doesnt go very well in the first block of the day, I make
immediate adjustments for block two, then continue to refine aspects
for block three. Additionally, being comfortable with change is
important as a teacher because students needs are constantly
evolving. Developing a curriculum and daily lessons for 75 students is
not a simple task, and without being flexible I would never be able to
reach every student. I see change as synonymous with learning. As my
students grow and change, so must my practice.
Being naturally curious, I find just about everything fascinating. I
bring this enthusiasm into my classroom and invite my students to
share in making discoveries about the world. Teaching science is
perfect for me, as there are so many opportunities for daily
investigations and surprises. When deciding how to adapt lessons and
teach big ideas to a large group of fourth/fifth graders with unique
needs, I try to imagine what would be most engaging for me. This
thought process inevitably leads me to hands-on activities that
promote discovery. If I am bored, the kids are definitely bored, too.
Children are investigators by nature, so I keep that in mind when I
design my lessons. Experiencing a concept first hand has a lasting
impact on learners of all ability levels, making project-based and
authentic learning the best method of differentiation.
My insatiable appetite for learning led me to pursue additional
certifications in middle level mathematics and science. In addition to

these two subject areas, I incorporate technology into my daily lessons.

Confidence and familiarity with these subjects is important in helping
students to be globally competitive in the future. Our children will have
to take on and solve the problems that are emerging now, in addition
to those we have not yet faced. They will need to possess the skills and
confidence to analyze, assess and attack problems creatively, as well
as the ability to research and use what they have available to come up
with solutions. These foundations are being built in my classroom.
Implementing cross-curricular units of study and real life intellectual
activities deepens student understanding and highlights the systematic
nature of all subjects and how systems surround us. I feel grateful to
work at a school that not only values these skills, but also encourages
me to explore different methods of teaching them.
Teaching is nothing if not challenging. Just when it seems all is
right in the world, something happens to turn it upside down. Every
single day is filled with victories and failures, both great and small.
Each experience allows me to learn more about how to handle
problems and build onto success. I currently teach one very needy
group of students that makes reaching everyone very difficult. In order
for every child to be successful, I regularly ask questions and run ideas
by the special education teachers I work with, and try to prepare for
whatever may happen.

In addition to successfully implementing instruction to a variety

of learners, I must communicate these experiences with their parents.
Scheduling meetings, making phone calls, and sending emails to the
families of our 75 students is so important, but also incredibly time
consuming. My team and I work hard to keep parents well informed
about the strengths, areas of opportunity, and day-to-day activities of
their child. I used to be timid about contacting parents, but now I
communicate with parents regularly so that when problems arise a
relationship has already been established.

Teaching at the Environmental Charter School has been an

incredible learning experience. My values align perfectly with the
philosophy of the school, and I feel I have been supported every step
of the way thus far. I am a nurturing, dynamic, and enthusiastic
teacher devoted to student engagement. I cultivate a learning
environment that inspires thinking, ecological intelligence, and
independence by embodying the four ECS Guiding Principles. I have a
lot of room for growth, and am regularly challenged by the nuances of
the job, but I am so happy to go to work everyday.