Nicole Bowman

INTASC Standard #1
Understanding that all children learn differently is the first step into becoming a superb
teacher. The best way to understand a students particular developmental and learning
patterns is to interact with them, build rapport with them and assess them on various levels,
outside of simply testing a student with a basic summative assessment, unanimous for all of the
students in the class.
In my undergraduate career at Kutztown University, I implemented various tests and
assessments. For example, I took a class primarily focusing on utilizing the Basic Reading
Intervention, or BRI, and how to use common reading assessments such as those found in the
Fountas and Pinnell reading series.
The three artifacts I have chosen for this standard include a picture of me working with
students, the Analysis of Data I completed for the Basic Reading Inventory Assessment and a
case study I completed in one of the special education classes I completed at Kutztown
University. While working with students is the main profession of an educator, it is
exceptionally important to be able to perform this skill while also maintaining good rapport
with the students and managing the classroom, all while teaching them, simultaneously. The
picture is evidence of working with the students, proof that I, as a teacher, am able to provide
adequate engagement, a supporting atmosphere of learning and a comfortable, but strong,
rapport with my students.
The analysis of the Basic Reading Inventory Assessment is evidence that I am able to
complete basic reading assessments and create an analysis for a student. Within this analysis,
there is a section specifically dedicated to background information and rapport. In my past
placements and within my own personal life, I have been complimented on my ability to build a
good rapport with my students, therefore establishing their learning needs. In both of my
student teaching placements I picked up on their needs almost immediately, before I even
began to teach them. The ability for me to conquer such a task allows to me to implement
challenging, but appropriate, learning experiences for my students.
The case study supports the reading assessment and is evidence that I can use a reading
assessment, find a students struggling point and discover materials to maintain their reading
goals. This allows a student to do specific, enriching activities to improve their reading skills and
allows the teacher to assess them specifically in those goals.

Here is an example of working with the students. I have them engaged in an exercise specific to
a lesson. All of the students are working with me, out of their seats and participating in a lesson
that did not just simply involve sitting in their seats as I lecture them.