My vision of an effective educator incorporates the domains endorsed by TEA and
aligned with recent research on practice. My vision begins with presenting professionalism. I dress and groom appropriately to present my persona as a professional would. Said professionalism drives me to respond to students with respectful and ethical behavior always. It is most important to me that my classroom reflects a safe and positive learning environment. I always address students by name. I am known for my ability to maintain a positive outlook in difficult situations. Next, my instructional and classroom management style reflects expertise in the practice of education as an organized system for students development. I believe that all students can learn and achieve at defined levels of success. I can promote student success and learning as I design and implement high order thinking in the daily curriculum. My general daily instruction is implemented in a manner that keeps students interested and engaged in learning. My teaching strategies are intentionally designed to appeal to both: the diverse learning modalities (visual, auditory, or kinesthetic) that students instinctively bring to the classroom; and to incorporate high order thinking via questions and activities. The active use of technology applications in the classroom further facilitates both student engagement and student learning. I continually build my students cognitive and psycho-social self-esteem by means of affirmative feedback for both acceptable and inappropriate classroom and learning behaviors . In addition to higher order stimulating and challenging instructional strategies, my classroom management and organization is characterized by two important elements: 1.) organized daily and weekly routines and procedures; and 2.) firm, clearly-defined behavioral expectations. I post and address weekly and daily learning objectives, and teach with instructional activities ranging bell-to-bell. For cognitive reinforcement, I routinely acknowledge, display, and celebrate student work. For our own comfort and safety, I insist that the students and I work together to keep a clean and organized classroom! Finally, an effective educator must monitor students progress and learning potential for two different aspects: for student mastery and learning measurement reporting, and as an evaluation of an individuals specific teaching craft. I consistently employ assessments of student comprehension and application, and review/analyze the data for: re-teach cues looking to solidify learning, indications to advance with teaching goals, and to inform future curricula planning.