Standard 1: Understanding and
Addressing Each Child’s Developmental
and Learning Needs
a. Candidates use their understanding of
child growth and development,
individual differences, and diverse
families, cultures and communities to
plan and implement inclusive learning
environments that provide each child
with equitable access to high quality
learning experiences that engage and
create learning opportunities for them
to meet high standards.
b. They work collaboratively with
families to gain a holistic perspective
on children’s strengths and needs and
how to motivate their learning.
Standard 2: Understanding and Applying
Content and Curricular Knowledge for
Teaching
a. Candidates demonstrate and apply
understandings of major concepts,
skills, and practices, as they interpret
disciplinary curricular standards and
related expectations within and across
literacy, mathematics, science, and
social studies.
Standard 3: Assessing, Planning, and
Designing Contexts for Learning
a. Candidates assess students, plan
instruction and design classroom
contexts for learning.
Throughout my experience, I planned lessons
and activities that were developmentally
appropriate for the grade levels that I
experienced during my two placements.
Strategic planning is involved in creating
engaging activities that cater to the different
developmental stages of each learner.
Evidence of Standard 1 can be accessed here:
https://amandaclayeportfolio.weebly.com/dev
elopmentally-appropriate-instruction.html
https://amandaclayeportfolio.weebly.com/stud
ent-centered-andor-differentiated-instruction.
html
https://amandaclayeportfolio.weebly.com/effe
ctive-communication-and-collaboration.html
During my first placement, I had access to the
VBCPS curriculum and was able to look
ahead and prepare myself to teach the
upcoming lessons. I valued this experience of
being able to explore and navigate the
curriculum and be able to study it and the
subjects I was teaching on. I did not have the
same luxury at my second placement, but I
did my best to stay on top of plans even if
they were only done one week at a time.
Evidence of Standard 2 can be accessed here:
https://amandaclayeportfolio.weebly.com/cont
ent-knowledge-in-interdisciplinary-curriculu
m.html
https://amandaclayeportfolio.weebly.com/dev
elopmentally-appropriate-instruction.html
During both placements, instruction was
heavily based on previous knowledge that we
determined through pre-assessment. This
allowed small-groups to form for those who
needed it the most and that way instruction
became more intimate than only having a
 b. Candidates use formative and
summative assessment to monitor
students’ learning and guide
instruction.
c. Candidates plan learning activities to
promote a full range of competencies
for each student. They differentiate
instructional materials and activities
to address learners’ diversity.
d. Candidates foster engagement in
learning by establishing and
maintaining social norms for
classrooms. They build interpersonal
relationships with students that
generate motivation, and promote
students social and emotional
development.
Standard 4: Supporting Each Child’s
Learning Using Effective Instruction
a. Candidates make informed decisions
about instruction guided by knowledge communication with the student about their
of children and assessment of
children’s learning that result in the instruction. When administering running
use of a variety of effective
whole group learning experience. Assessment
at my first placement was created by the 3rd
grade team based on the assessment the city
provided. During my second placement there
was a CAT team that created assessments that
were not allowed to be manipulated in any
way.
Differentiation is important to make sure each
student is understanding what you are
teaching. This can be accomplished through
differentiated activities and small group
instruction.
I strongly believe that the key to a healthy
classroom environment is based on
student/teacher relationships and an
established classroom management plan.
Evidence of Standard 3 can be accessed here:
https://amandaclayeportfolio.weebly.com/plan
ning-preparation-instruction-and-assessment.h
tml
https://amandaclayeportfolio.weebly.com/stud
ent-centered-andor-differentiated-instruction.
html
https://amandaclayeportfolio.weebly.com/clas
sroom-and-behavior-management.html
https://amandaclayeportfolio.weebly.com/app
endices.html
Small group instruction and the use of a
variety of materials is extremely important in
the classroom. Stem bins, small group
activities, the use of technology, and
progress is important in maintaining effective
records on students, I like to communicate
 instructional practices that employ
print, and digital appropriate
resources. Instruction is delivered
using a cohesive sequence of lessons
and employing effective instructional
practices.
b. Candidates use explicit instruction
and effective feedback as appropriate,
and use whole class discussions to
support and enhance children’s
learning.
c. Candidates use flexible grouping
arrangements, including small group
and individual instruction to support
effective instruction and improved
learning for every child.
Standard 5: Developing as a Professional
a. Candidates promote learning and
development of every child through
participation in collaborative learning
environments, reflective self-study and
professional learning, and
involvement in their professional
community.
with them afterwards on what exactly I
marked and explain why I marked it so it isn’t
a scary process, but a learning tool for
students to evaluate their own progress.
Evidence of Standard 4 can be accessed here:
https://amandaclayeportfolio.weebly.com/stud
ent-centered-andor-differentiated-instruction.
html
https://amandaclayeportfolio.weebly.com/plan
ning-preparation-instruction-and-assessment.h
tml
During both placements, I attended weekly
collaboration meetings where I was able to
help plan instruction for the upcoming week.
It was important to feel comfortable sharing
my ideas and suggestions with the team in
order to grow. I was also able to gain insight
on my progress through a student based
survey which I used to reflect and learn from.
Evidence of the above can be accessed here:
https://amandaclayeportfolio.weebly.com/effe
ctive-communication-and-collaboration.html
https://amandaclayeportfolio.weebly.com/app
endices.html