University of Pennsylvania

Teach for America

Graduate School of Education
EDUC/EDCE 699.107
World Language Methods I
Instructor: Thomasina I. White
Iralys Lpez Cruz
September 13, 2016.
How is the Danielson Framework for Teaching a road map for novice teachers?
Because teaching is complex, it is helpful to have a roadmap through the territory, structured
around a shared understanding of teaching
-Charlotte Danielson (2007, pg. 149)
Teaching is a demanding and extremely complex profession that incorporates within it
different degrees of social interaction and individual development. Danielsons Framework for
Teaching clearly delineates a structure with a common language that serves as a guideline for all
kinds of teachers; whether they are starting out as novice educators or whether they have been in
the profession for many years. [] a framework for teaching offers educators a means of
communicating about excellence (190). Through this work novice teachers will be able to
engage in meaningful conversations about practice with other educators which would, in turn,
lead novice teachers to enrich their own teaching practices.
Furthermore, this framework is an important tool for novice educators who need to have
a day-to day- guide, within a profession that is physically, emotionally and mentally
demanding. Continuous improvement is a necessity within the education world, and this
framework paints the road that guides teachers to their own Land of Oz. Thus, the Framework
for Teaching serves as a critical map to enrich and develop professional lives. Danielsons
teaching methodology is well thought out, in the sense that it clearly states the responsibilities of
any educator within their classroom, in order to ensure that student learning is taking place.
The guide is divided into four domains that shine a light on teacher actions: 1) Planning
and Preparation; 2) The Classroom Environment; 3) Instruction; and 4) Professional

University of Pennsylvania
Teach for America
Graduate School of Education
Responsibilities. Each one presents within itself a diverse range of complex activities that
teachers accomplish on a daily basis. Inside each one of these domains, comprehensive and
straightforward components that form an integral part of the professional practice of educators
can be found. Although each component presented by Danielson is distinct, they are all
connected to each other, and it is this connection that helps amateur teachers understand the
importance of every single action and decision that they take inside and outside of the classroom.
The groundwork presented by Danielson helps trainee teachers begin their journey as leaders and
educators inside of the classroom. The need of this framework is critical for newcomer teachers
since they do not have a period of apprenticeship, and it is through this plan that novice teachers
will be able to navigate through the complex world of education.
This work shows a clear definition of good teaching or good practice, helping
apprentice teachers how to understand the expectations and responsibilities they are expected to
meet on a daily basis in their school, district, community, and/or state. Such work guides
continuous reflection and improvement of the teaching practice. These standards guide teaching
preparation and how teaching evaluation is taking place, giving novice teachers the opportunity
to create growth oriented strategies so that they may perfect their practice.
The transparency of this framework for teaching gives professionals the opportunity to
better prepare and organize themselves in a line of work that has many components intertwined.
The structure within this work builds educators and contributes to the strengthening of the
education community. Danielsons input to the Education field offers a toolbox for first-time
teachers with clear instructions that show how to achieve practice improvement, leading them
towards professional excellence. The use of this framework helps teachers see the end goal of
their profession and that is to foster and achieve student learning. Therefore, Danielsons work

University of Pennsylvania
Teach for America
Graduate School of Education
helps novice teachers be ready for the continuous challenges that they will face inside and
outside of the classroom, so that they may reach professional growth and improvement.
In addition, to aiding novice teachers through their development, this framework presents
the different standards that teachers must meet at a state, regional and national level to be
effective educators in their schools. These standards guide teaching preparation and how
teaching evaluation is taking place, giving novice teachers the opportunity to create growth
oriented strategies so that they may perfect their practice. The transparency of this framework for
teaching gives professionals the opportunity to better prepare and organize themselves in a line
of work that has many components intertwined. The structure within this work builds educators
and contributes to the strengthening of the education community. In sum, this framework offers a
toolbox for novice teachers so that they may achieve practice improvement. Such tools lead
novice educators towards professional excellence and it aids them towards the end goal of
education which is student achievement.