WSTDL: #3 Diversity

Title: Tutoring Students in a Special Education Classroom

Date: Fall Semester, 2012
Artifact Description

The artifact is a review from the teacher for the UW-Platteville class Introduction to
Inclusion where I tutored in a special education classroom in Belmont, Wisconsin. I tutored
around 10 students ranging in grades from 3rd grade to 12th grade for Angela Klein, the
special education teacher. I helped these students with reading and writing comprehension,
correcting work books, teaching basic math concepts and testing students to see if they have
succeeded in learning new concepts. I worked with students in small groups of two or three
but also did individual instruction. Before beginning lessons I would discuss the students
progress from my last visit and the lesson plan for the day with the Mrs. Klein.

Alignment Reflection

My experience aligns with Wisconsin Standards Teacher Development and Licensure

number three. Number three is Diversity and it states The teacher understands how
students differ in their approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are
adapted to diverse learners

My experience aligns with this standard because I had to use many different teaching
styles and methods with a wide range of students. Some students were kinesthetic
learners while others were visual; some students preferred to have a choice in what order
they completed and turned in homework, and other students needed an authoritative
style of teacher to tell them what they needed to be doing at all times. I am more
competent in this standard because I now fully understand that some students learn in a
similar style, but others may have a completely different way of learning that I need to
make accommodations for.

UW-Platteville Knowledge, Skill, Disposition Alignment

My experience aligns with UW-Platteville Knowledge, Skill, and Disposition Alignment

KSD1.b. : This standard states Demonstrating knowledge of Students: The candidate

displays knowledge of the typical developmental characteristics, learning styles, skills,
interests, developmental backgrounds, and cultural heritages of students and is always
aware of the broad ranges and variety present for each of these students characteristics and
lifestyles.

My experience aligns with this KSD because each and every student in the classroom
had different learning styles, skills and interests. During my time tutoring, I learned that
each and every student has a different way of learning.

KSD2.d. : The candidate can establish clear standards of conduct with student input. The
monitoring of these standards is subtle and preventive with respectful student self- and peer
monitoring also occurring. The candidate can respond to misbehavior effectively, being
sensitive to individual needs.

KSD3.d. : The candidate can provide timely, high quality feedback that is useful to the students in
their learning.

Personal Reflection

What I learned about teaching/learning from this experience.

From my experiences, I learned that students have different approaches to learning. This needs
to be addressed by the teacher to more effectively reach the students. When I become a teacher, I
plan on addressing this by having lesson that appeal to these different learning styles. I will do
this by understanding student's different developmental characteristics, learning styles, skills,
and interests by learning about my students.

What I learned about myself as a prospective educator as a result of this experience/artifact:

From what I have learned, when I go into the classroom, I will try to teach in many different
styles to accommodate as many students as possible. Whether it be visual or audible, I will try to
design lesson plans that appeal to all types of learning.