TELLING

MY STORY

Telling My Story
Sara Smith
National University
November 26, 2016

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for

TED 690 Capstone Course
Dr. Clifton Johnson

TELLING MY STORY

2
Abstract

This paper will utilize the artifacts given by the author in her Power Point PDQP presentation for
TPE Domain A. It will evaluate her progress in achieving competencies in TPE Domain A,
identify her strengths and weaknesses associated with TPE Domain A, discuss potential TPE
competencies to be used for the authors PDQP, and will provide rationale for selecting and
completing areas of professional needs and goals achieved for her chosen TPE Domain A.

TELLING MY STORY

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Telling My Story

There are six Teaching Performance Expectations and they are all connected in reaching
the ultimate teaching goals of understanding and retention. I feel that they are all equally
important but I will focus on TPE Domain A: Making Subject Matter Comprehensible to
Students. The six TPEs are as follows:
A. Making Subject Matter Comprehensible to Students
B. Assessing Student Learning
C. Engaging and Supporting Students in Learning
D. Planning Instruction and Designing Learning Experiences for Students
E. Creating and Maintaining Effective Environments for Student Learning
F. Developing as a Professional Educator

Progress in Achieving Competency in TPE Domain A

Personally, I feel that Domains C-F all need to be implemented and continuously
improved upon to meet Domain A. Domain B would be the way to make sure that your methods
in all of the other Domains are effective. Throughout my student teaching, it became extremely
evident to me that the students need to actually comprehend the material, not just hear it, in order
to retain and build upon the information. With time, as I got to know my students, my ability to
switch up teaching techniques to ensure they understood the material, gradually improved.

TELLING MY STORY

Strengths and Needs Within TPE Domain A

Domain

Strengths

A: Making Subject Matter

Extensive background in
Comprehensible to Students
Health and Wellness as a
1B Subject Specific
personal trainer and
Pedagogical Skills for Singlenutritionist.
Subject Assessment (Health) Experience with many
physical and mental
ailments while previously
working in an Urgent
Care.
Motivate and encourage
students to excel by
raising expectations and
including collaborative
discussions.
I love getting to know my
students so that I can
include relevant topics
that interest them and
therefore increase
comprehension and
retention.
I enjoy utilizing various
teaching techniques to
reach as many students as
possible and increase
comprehension and
retention.

Needs/Areas to Improve
Continuously learn new
techniques and tools for
teaching students to keep
information up to date
and relevant.
Improving my classroom
management may be
necessary but having a
class of my own will
allow me to develop
classroom rules and
standards WITH my
students at the beginning
of the year.
Increase my technological
ability and continuously
learn new ways to include
technology in my
classroom.

Potential Competencies to Be Used for PDQP

According to Developing a Professional Teaching Portfolio: A Guide for Success on page
18, a PDQP, is focused on continued professional growth related to performance evaluations
and individual career objectives. It is related to coursework, field experiences, and the required
performance outcomes of the teacher education program. Since the intent of the PDQP is for
personal reflection and the improvement of teaching effectiveness, various artifacts should be

TELLING MY STORY

chosen such as lesson plans, student work and assessments, field work experiences, observations
by peers and/or administration, etc. This will show competencies in all the TPE Domains more
effectively, as well as show the areas that I need to improve upon.

Rationale for Selecting TPE Domain A

I chose TPE Domain A: Making Subject Matter Comprehensible to Students because I
feel that students understanding and comprehension of the material are key to overall success in
the classroom. If students are able to grasp the material, they will be better able to build on that
information and recall/retain it for future assessments and life in general. I also feel that all of
the Domains are interconnected, so therefore, it is important to continuously build competency in
all six TPE Domains.

TELLING MY STORY

References:

Costantino, Patricia M., De Lorenzo Marie N., & Tirrell-Corbin, Christy. (2009).
Developing a Professional Teaching Portfolio: A Guide for Success. Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Allyn & Bacon/Pearson.