Shaela Elsasser

CI405; Reflective Paper

Human Development and Learning: The teacher understands how individuals grow,

develop and learn and provides learning opportunities that support the intellectual, social,

and personal development of all students.

1. Fully state the standard in bold text. Then write a paragraph explaining your knowledge and

understanding of that standard—put the standard into your own words.

I believe this standards highlights diversity - diversity not only as a cultural description, but also

as the differences between each student within a single classroom. It reflects upon the multiple

way children may learn and emphasizes that each student will learn at his or her own rate. It

challenges the teacher to teach beyond the traditional styles, and incorporate various ways of

instruction. Although one child may excel with visual models, others may learn through words or

descriptions. Understanding that all children will not learn and excel in the same manner is the

principal concept this standard stresses.

2. Explain how the artifact you chose demonstrates your understanding and application of the

standard.

The artifact I chose was an essay summarizing the deficits of rural schools and how No

Child Left Behind has shown understanding of the voids within these schools. In the essay I have

explored reasons why rural schools struggle. I showed understanding of the unbalanced

educational opportunities given to those students within urban and city districts compared to

those students found in isolated, rural areas. I came to the conclusion that those students in rural
communities were not given the same opportunities for advancement and therefore would be

more challenged in both short term and long term goals. Short term, it is noticeable that students

would possibly not be meeting that year’s AYP. By not meeting this standard, schools may be

pressured to distribute their already scarce funds to differing areas. Long term, these students

may not be as prepared for differing futuristic opportunities because of the lack of: honors,

advanced placement, and higher level classes. Through research it is extremely noticeable that

without multiple opportunities – both social and educational – some students found in rural

schools are intellectually at a lower level.

3. A If the artifact has been used in your practice, reflect on how your teaching will change in

the future to further meet the standard.

B. If the artifact has not been used in your practice, i.e., a class assignment, reflect upon how

your teaching will be impacted by the assignment.

This artifact has impacted my future teaching because of my realization how opportunities truly

help mold a person. I understand that although some students appreciate the basics of subject

knowledge, other students strive for further exploration. I will find ways to implement this

further exploration in any ways possible – problems of the week or additional exploration

problems for example. I also realize student’s homes, communities, and surroundings affect their

everyday attitudes and overall achievement. As some students may not receive the moral support

at home as others do, I will try to teach the students with a combination of respect and

understanding while still remaining an authority figure. With some students having to travel far

distances between home and school, if teaching in rural districts I will take this in consideration

by possibly giving active problems to get the students awake and moving before beginning the
lessons. I realize now that there are many factors students in rural schools have to face with that

are different than those faced by students in different areas.

4. Conclude with a paragraph discussing how you are more prepared to Teach and Learn in a

Diverse Society as a result of satisfactorily meeting the standard.

The understanding how opportunities children are given effect their futuristic outcomes, pushes

me as a teacher to allow students every opportunity possible for me to permit. I understand

opportunities are not defined as only higher level classes. An opportunity may also be seen as

teaching in different styles, allowing as many chances for comprehension possible. By allowing

them as many opportunities as possible to succeed, I now strive to be the best teacher I am

prepared to be.