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Professionalism
LeahD.Aubert
SaintMarysUniversityofMinnesota
SchoolsofGraduateandProfessionalPrograms
PortfolioEntryforWisconsinTeacherStandard10
EDUW696PortfolioProduction
StephanieSullivan,Instructor
July27,2015

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SelectedWisconsinTeacherStandardDescriptors
WisconsinTeacherStandard(WTS)#10:Teachersareconnectedwithotherteachersand
thecommunity.
Theteacherfostersrelationshipswithschoolcolleagues,parents,andagencies
inthelargercommunitytosupportstudentslearningandwellbeing,andactswithintegrity
fairness,andinanethicalmanner.
Knowledge.
Theteacherunderstandshowfactorsinthestudents'environmentoutsideofschool(e.g.
familycircumstances,communityenvironments,health,andeconomicconditions)may
influencestudentslivesandlearning.
Dispositions.
Theteacheriswillingtoworkwithotherprofessionalstoimprovetheoveralllearning
environmentforstudents.
Theteacherisconcernedaboutallaspectsofachildswellbeing(cognitive,emotional,
social,andphysical),andisalerttosignsofdifficulties.
Performances.
Theteacherestablishesrespectfulandproductiverelationshipswithparentsand
guardiansfromdiversehomeandcommunitysituations,andseekstodevelopcooperative
partnershipsinsupportofstudentlearningandwellbeing.
Theteacheractsasanadvocateforstudents.

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DanielsonsFrameworkforTeaching

Domain4:ProfessionalResponsibilities
Component4a:ReflectingonTeaching
Accuracy
Useinfutureteaching
Component4b:MaintainingAccurateRecords
Studentcompletionofassignments
Studentprogressinlearning
Noninstructionalrecords
Component4c:Communicatingwithfamilies
Informationabouttheinstructionalprogram
Informationaboutindividualstudents
Engagementoffamiliesintheinstructionalprogram
Component4d:ContributingtotheSchoolandDistrict
Relationshipswithcolleagues
Servicetotheschool
Participationinschoolanddistrictprojects
Component4e:GrowingandDevelopingProfessionally
Enhancementofcontentknowledgeandpedagogicalskill
Servicetotheprofession
Component4f:ShowingProfessionalism
Servicetostudents
Advocacy
Decisionmaking

Goals
1. Toimprovemyunderstandinghowastudentsenvironmentandcircumstancesimpact
theirindividualoveralllifeandabilitytolearn.
2. Tocreatepositiveandproductiverelationshipswithstudentfamiliesandadvocatefor
studentslearningandoverallwellbeing.
3. Toimprovestudentlearningthroughcollaborationwithotherprofessionalsandthrough
advocatingformystudentsneedsbasedonhis/herabilities.

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Introduction
Manypeopleperceiveteachingasapersonstandinginthefrontofaclassroomand
providinginstruction.Teachersshouldbestudentcenteredandthereforerequiresmuchmore
workthanpeopleassume.Ateachershouldtakethetimetoworkasapartnerwithfamiliesand
communities.Becomingalearnerisalsoessentialtoteaching.Anotheressentialdutyis
becomingaleaderandcollaborator.Theseextradutieshelpateacherensurestudentsuccess.
Throughmyyearsofteachingexperienceandworkingoneyearasanassistantcoach,I
havefoundtwothingsthathelpateacherbecomeapartnerwithfamiliesandcommunities.
Workingwithfamiliesandthecommunityrequirecommunicationandrelationships.Asan
educatorIdomybesttocommunicatewithfamilies.However,noteveryoneisalwaysopento
communicationorformingthoserelationships.Idomybesttoformpositiverelationshipswitha
familytoensurethatwearehavinghonestandproductivecommunication.Asaspecial
educationteacherImeetwiththefamilyatleastonceayear.Thesemeetingsarekeyto
understandingmystudentsandhelpingthembecomesuccessfulintheschoolsetting.
Ihavealwaysfeltthatstudentswillbeexcitedaboutlearningifyouare.A
studentcenterededucatorisalwaysrefiningandlearningnewstrategiestosupportlearning.I
havealwaysenjoyedattendingconferencesandinservicesthathavegivenmenewideasand
strategiestoworkwithmystudents.TheSaintMarysMastersprogramhasallowedmeto
improvemyteachingknowledgeandskill.Theprogramhasallowedmetolearnfromvarious
pointsofviewbyfelloweducatorsandinstructors.AMasterteachertakeswhathe/sheknows,
fromtherelationshipthathasbeenestablished,andthenimplementswhathe/shelearnedintothe
classroom.

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Beingaleaderandcollaboratorisalsoimportanttobecominganeffectiveeducator.First
andforemost,asaspecialeducationteacher,Iamanadvocateformystudentsandtheirlearning.
IdoeverythingIcantoensurethatmystudentsaresuccessful.Thatoftenrequiresleadingand
collaboratingwithothereducators.Iworktocommunicatetheneedsofmystudentsandhelp
solveconcernsteachersmayhaveregardingmystudentsandtheirlearning.Iamthevoiceof
mystudentsandtheirneeds.TobethatvoiceImusthaveapositiverelationshipwithmy
students.
PartnerwithFamiliesandCommunities
Icommunicatewithmyfamiliesinvariousways.Isendhomealetteratthebeginningof
eachyearandremindernotesthroughouttheyear.EveryyearIaskparentsfortheirpreference
inhowIcommunicatewiththem,whetherthatwouldbephoneoremail.Inadditionto
parentteacherconferencestwiceayear,specialeducationteachersmeetwiththefamilyatleast
onceayeartoupdatetheIndividualizedEducationPlan(IEP).Thesemeetingsarepartofmy
jobdescription.However,Ifindthesemeetingsvitaltotheeducationofthestudent.Iamable
tolearnaboutmystudentslivesathome,suchaseconomicsituation,familycircumstances,etc.
Thisalsoallowsmetogetaperspectiveofthestudentfromthefamilyspointofview.Thishas
animpactbecausethisoverallperspectivehelpsmebeawareofmystudentsandtheirneeds.
ItaketheinformationIalreadyknowaboutmystudentandthefamilyinformationto
createapositiveandsuccessfullearningenvironmentformyeachofmystudents.That
informationisusedtowritetheIEP.Iexamineacademicexpectationsandneeds,andcreate
goalstohelpthestudentbesuccessfulinschool.DuringthesemeetingsIamsharingwhatIsee
andwhatIbelievemystudentsneed.Thestudentsarealwaysmyfocus.Familiesmayshare

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informationthatmayormaynotshiftwhatIthinkthatstudentneeds.ThepurposeoftheIEPis
togivethestudenttoolstobesuccessful.StudentsarenotsuccessfulunlessIhaveformeda
positiverelationshipwiththemandchallengemystudentstobetheirindividualbest.TheseIEP
goalsdrivemyoveralldailyinstruction.
Attimes,familiesarehesitanttocommunicatewithanyonefromaschool.Ioftenfind
thatwhenthecommunicationisbasedaroundthestudentandhowtohelpthestudentbe
successful,thenfamiliesaremoreopentocommunication.Ialsothinkthatisimportanttokeep
thatrelationshippositiveandemphasizethatyouarecollaboratingasateamtoensurestudent
success.Asaresult,familiesaremuchmorelikelytodiscusstheoverallneedsofthefamily.
Withtheinformationfromthestudentandfamily,Iamalsoabletoreachouttothe
communitytohelpwiththeirneeds.Forexample,inthesummerof2014Iwasableto
communicatewiththeLaCrosseSchoolDistrictsspecialeducationdirectorandgetonestudent
intoasummersocialgroupthatalocalAutismschoolwashaving.IfIdonthaveacommunity
connection,Iwilltalktotheguidancecounselortohelpgetthefamilyorstudentwhattheyneed
(suchasclothing,schoolsupplies,outsidecounseling,etc).
Inthefallof2014,Ibecameanassistantcoachforagirls4thgradebasketballteam.The
teamispartofaclubassociatedwithalocalhighschoolthepurposeistogetgirlsinterested
anditgivesthemanopportunitytolearnbasicbasketballskillsbeforehighschool.Icoachwith
acoworkerandaparent.Thisisnotajobrequirement,butIfeelthisdoeshaveanimpacton
mystudentslearning.Thisvolunteerjobhashelpedmebecomeabettercommunicatorwith
studentsandfamilies.Iamabletomakecomparisonsbetweensportsandlearningwith
firsthandexperience.Sportshavealsogivenmeadifferentperspectiveonsuccessaswell.

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Winning,orgettinggoodgrades,isnotalwaysimportant.Itisthepathandhowthestudentgot
thereiswhatisimportant.Itisaboutthestudent,howtheygrow,andlearn.
Ithinkthatmyabilitytoworkandcommunicatewithfamiliesandcommunitieshas
improvedquiteabitsinceIbeganteaching.Myexperienceasaspecialeducationteacherhas
mademerealizehowsignificantcommunicationisasateacher.Iamalwayslookingforwaysto
connectwithmyfamiliesinotherways.
Excerptfrommycommunicationlogfromthispastspring:
Date/Form

Parent(Child)

Whatabout?

Response?

5/18
1.

mom(EVR)email
10:48a.m.

ReceivedemailfromMS
casemanagerduetostudent
signedupforreplacement
math,shecannotbein
orchestraandband
forwardedmessageonto
mom

Momrespondedthat
shewoulddiscuss
whichoneEVR
wouldprefertotake
thatevening

5/19
1.

2.

3.

4.

mom(ME)phone
7:40a.m.

dadandmom(KT)
7:50a.m.

mom(EVR)email
8:46a.m.

mom(EVR)email
8:46a.m

Leftmessagetomom
remindingofIEPnextday.

InitialIEPmeeting.

Momupsetthatshecantup
forboth,wastoldshecould
takebothifshekeptgrades
up.SaysshetalkedtoMS
musicteachersnightbefore
andtheyknowofnorule.
Askedifaruleorif
someonemadeadecision.

Doesntthinkitisfairthat
EVRwillmissoutonnew
experience.Pickedbandfor
now.SaidEVRdoesnt

N/A

N/A

Irespondedinemail
thatthiswasdueto
SPEDschedulingso
doesntmisscore
instructionwhichis
importantforSPED
kids.

Respondedtomom
thatIwouldforward
thebandinformation
onfornow.Ialso

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wanttogotoknowb/cin
classwithAZ.Momsaid
sheemailedprincipaland
receivednoresponseand
saidIcanseeLongfellow
willbestartingoutgreat.

forwardedinfo.on
AZtocasemanager.
Alsoforwardedemail
stringto
administrator.

5/20
1.

2.

3.

mom(RS)meeting
7:50a.m.

noshow(DS)
meeting12:30
(counselorleft
messagedaybefore
withreminder)
calledat12:40no
answer.Left
message

noshow(ME)
meetingshow3:30
p.m.Calledat3:40
momsaidwould
notmakeandwe
couldhavemeeting
w/oher

InitialIEPmeeting.

InitialIEPmeeting.Team
decidedtocontinuewith
meetingduetoverbal
confirmationwithmom
previousweekandthree
reminders(2phoneand1
note)ofmeetingsincethen.

AnnualIEPmeeting

N/A

Indicatedhad
meetingonmessage.
Couldcalltoget
inputaddedtoIEP.
Otherwisewould
receivecopyofIEP
in23weeks.

N/A

5/22
1.

Allnoteintake
homefoldersor
assignment
notebook

Reminderthatthereisno
schoolonMonday5/25

N/A

5/26
1.

dad(EVR)note

NotefromdadthatEVRdid N/A
nothaveh.w.donedueto
familyevents

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Learner
IbelievethatIamalwayslearningsomething.Iamconstantlylearningsomethingfrom
mystudents,theirfamilies,andmycolleagues.Asacoach,Iamalsolearningallofthetime.
Learningaboutbasketballfromtheothercoachesalsolearningaboutmyplayersas10/11year
oldsandtheskillstheyhaveasbasketballplayers.Ilearnfromdoingandtryingnewthings,
workinguntilIfindsomethingthatworks.
Ihaveattendednumerousconferences.WhileteachinginPhoenix,ArizonaIlearneda
lotaboutteachingEnglishLanguageLearner(ELL)students.Iattendedtwoconferencesabout
strategiestosupportELLstudents.AlsoIattendedaconferenceaboutbrainbasedlearningand
research.Ireallylearnedalotabouthowthesensesofimpactlearning.
SinceIhavebeenaSLDteacher,Ihavelearnedalotaswell.IlearnedtobeanSLD
teacheronthejob.Itwasquitedifficultattimes,butIwasabletoworkthroughitwiththe
supportofmycolleagues.Inaddition,someofthestudentsonmycaseloadhaveAutismTwo
yearsagoIwasabletoattendthreeAutismconferencesputonbytheWisconsinDepartmentof
PublicEducation.Thepresenterswereveryknowledgeableandinsightful,especiallysinceone
ofthemhasAutism.
WhenIamteachingconcepts/skillsthataredifficultornewtome,Ibecomeasmuchasa
learnerasmystudents.Ihavetoteachmyselftheconceptthroughpracticeandreading.At
timesIwillgethelpfrommycolleagueswhohavealreadytaughttheconcept/skill.
Beingalifelonglearnerisessentialtoteaching.Ifateacherdoesnotputvalueinto
learning,thenthestudentswillnotbeexcitedorputvalueintolearningeither.Ateacherneeds
tobeabletolearnabouthis/herstudents,thencreatelessonsandanenvironmentaroundthe

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students.AsateacherIdoeverythingIcantoensuremystudentsarelearning.Therefore,Iam
flexibleandalwayslearningaboutnewwaysandstrategiestosupportmystudents.Itry
everythingandkeepwhatworksforeachgroupofstudents.Learningisthekeytobeinga
successfulteacher.
Leader/Collaborator
Collaborationisessentialtostudentlearning.Icollaboratewithregulareducation
teachersconstantlyinregardstomystudents.Itismyjobtocommunicateanddiscussideas
withthemtogivemystudentswhattheyneedtobesuccessful.Igivetheteachersaprofileat
thebeginningoftheschoolyearofmystudentsneedsandwhataccommodations/modifications
theyneed.Communicatingwithcolleaguescanbedifficult,especiallyiftheyarenotopento
doingsomethinginadifferentwayorhavingspecialeducationstudentsparticipateinregular
education.Itisveryfrustratingforme,becauseasaregulareducationteacherIdidthesethings
allthetimeformystudents.IamtoldthatIshouldbepushingstudentswithaspecificlearning
disability(SLD)intotheclassroomasmuchaspossible.Itismyjobtoadvocateformy
studentsneedsandsupporttheirlearningintheregulareducationroom.Imustfightforwhatis
onthestudentsIEPandgivethemthebestenvironmenttolearnin.
IcollaboratewithcolleaguesaboutstrategiestosupportallstudentsduringPLC
meetings.Also,IamamemberoftheStudentManagementTeam(SMT)andwhenstaffis
havingdifficultieswithstudentlearningtheymeetwithus.Wediscussitasprofessionalsand
determinewhatcanwedotosupporttheteacherandthestudent.AstheSLDspecialist,Ioften
leadtheteamwhenwearemakingdecisionsthatmayleadtoaSLDreferral.Iamalsoableto
meetwithotherSLDteachersinthedistrictandcollaborate.Thishasbeenespeciallyusefulin

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thechangeovertheSLDqualificationlawandwiththenewstatetesting.ItisimportantthatI
amabletogotomycolleaguesandaskforhelpaswell.Icangotootherspecialeducationstaff
orregulareducationteachers.
ThispastfalltworegulareducationteachersandIwroteagrantfortheLaCrossePublic
EducationFoundation.Iwasgivingthesetwoteacherswiggleseats,providedbythe
occupationaltherapy(OT)andphysicaltherapy(PT)staff,forstudentswhodidnotreceiveany
services.Wiggleseatsareaircushionsisaseatingoptionforstudentswhohaveadifficulttime
focusingorstayingintheirseats.Theyprovidesubtlemovementforselfregulationandinput.I
alsohadstudentsracingintomyroomtogetthewiggleseatsfirst.Asaresultwegotintoa
conversationregardingstudentswhodonotgetservicesandhavesignificantsensory,movement,
andattentional/focusingneeds.Thesetwocoworkersbothhadtheirownchildrenwithspecial
needs,onewithAutismandonewithsensoryintegrationneeds.Oftenthesechildrencanbe
overlookedintheregulareducationclassroom.Wedecidedtowriteagrantforwiggleseats,
headphones,andfidgets.Weweregranted$1,200.Assoonaswereceivedthematerialsthe
studentswereaskingwhentheycouldusethem.Alocalnewsstationalsodidastoryonour
grant.Throughtherestoftheschoolyeartherewasneveradaywheretherewereextrawiggle
seatstouse.
WhileIneverhadanystudentteachers,Ihavehadacoupleofclinicalstudentsinsideof
myclassroom.Igivethemexperienceofteachingandandworkingwithstudentswith
disabilities.OftenIalsocollaborateandworkwiththestudentteachersintheregulareducation
classrooms.Theycometomeforguidanceinhowtoinstructandsupportthestudentsonmy

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caseload.Ialsoworkwithateacherassistant(TA)tosupportmystudents.Myjobistoguide
theTAinsupportingthestudentslearninginsidetheclassroom.
Leadershipandcollaborationhaveasignificantimpactonstudentlearning.Asateacher
Ineedtotaketheleadershiproleandadvocateformystudentsandtheirneedstoensuresuccess.
Collaborationisessentialbecausenotonepersonalwayshastheanswerorkey.Oftenitis
multipleideasandpointsofviewthatgivestudentsthebestoptionsforlearning.IthinkthatI
amnotthestrongestwhenitcomestoleadership,butIalwaysamfightingformystudentsand
theirneeds,andthatisaleaderinitself.
ReflectiveSummary
Whatpatternsdoyouseeemergingfromyourexamples?
ThefirstthingthatIseefrommyexamplesisthatIamfocusedonmystudents.Thatis
whatismostimportanttome.Ifeelthatisanessentialpartofbeingateacher.IalsoseethatI
amprettyflexibleteacherandIamwillingtotryanythingandeverythingtohelpmystudentsbe
successful.Ialsodiscoveredthatwithmyexamplesinfamilycommunicationandcollaboration
thatsometimesIamtentativeinthoserelationships.IbelieveIamtentativebecauseIdonot
likethenegativity.Iwillneedtoworkondevelopingthoserelationshipsmore.
Whatwasthemosteffectiveinimprovingstudentlearning?
Ibelievethatrelationshipsaremosteffectiveinimprovingstudentlearning,especially
therelationshipsthatIhavewithstudentsandtheirfamiliesEachofthoserelationshipsallows
metolearnaboutmystudents,andtheirlearningtherefore,allowingmetocreatealearning
environmentaroundthoseneeds.Also,Ithinkthattherelationshipwithmycolleaguesis

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important.Withoutpositiverelationshipsandcommunication,Iwouldnotknowhowmy
studentsaredoingintheregulareducationclassroom.
Whatfuturecontributionswouldyouliketomakeifyouhavetheopportunity?
Istrugglewithregulareducationteacherswhodonotchangewhattheyareteachingor
modifywhattheyaredoingforalltypesoflearnersinsidetheirclassroom.Ihavealways
accommodatedandmodifiedmyteachingforallstudents,evenasaregulareducationteacher.I
alwaysfeltthatisapartofteaching.However,Ifaceteachersinmybuildingwhohavebeen
teachingthesamewayfor10+years.IwanttohelpthemunderstandthatmyroleasanSLD
teacherisnotreplacementcurriculum,unlikestudentswithcognitivedisabilities.Myroleisto
providesupportandadditionalinstructiontomakethemsuccessfulintheclassroom.Asaresult,
theseregulareducationteachersneedtomodifyorgethelpmodifyingtheclassworkthatthey
givingmystudents.Allstudentswouldbenefitfromdifferentiationofthecurriculum.For
example,ifyouarelookingforreadingcomprehensionareyoureallygoingtomakeastudent
redoapacketbecausetheydidntanswerthemincompletesentences,especiallyifthestudent
hasobviousdifficultywithwriting?Focusonwhatyouwantthestudenttolearn.

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ProfessionalDocuments

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