INTASC+10

INTASC 10

Reflection of INTASC 10: Interpersonal Relationships and Professional Collaboration Within the educational world, it is very important to build lasting and effective relationships with the resources and guidance figures around you. For the underlying understanding of these relationships, we may find that these specific connections are what guides us and helps us as educators, to build our knowledge and maintain a positive experience within the classroom. Inside INTASC 10, we explore specific aspects of the interpersonal relationships and professional collaboration needed to allow us the ability to be the effective instructors that we hope to be, while also allowing our students the best opportunity for success. To understand the different aspects within INTASC 10, we must understand all of the different resources that are available to us as educators. For example, it is important to recognize that there are many school based resources available to us to better support the well being and success for all of our students. These resources can be found within the media center, the library, the resource room, and sometimes even the gymnasium. Because students require a variety of different accommodations that benefit their individual needs, it is important that we acknowledge these resources as helpful aids for effective student learning. Another aspect that we must consider within INTASC 10, is the aspect of personal relationships that can be formed inside and outside of the field. For example, it is important to build relationships with the school media specialist, the librarian, other teachers in different content areas, and especially the parents of your students. All of these relationships connect to not only our success as professionals, but it reflects upon the learning and well being of our students. With the media specialist and the librarian, we may find specific materials and resources that can help us with lessons and activities. We may also find helpful assistance with students with special needs and specific accommodations. For building relationships with teachers in other content areas, this is a substantial influence upon not only our professionalism, but upon the understanding of our students in other content areas. If I am teaching a 10th grade English class, and I find that a student of mine is struggling within my class, I could ask for recommendations from another teacher of a different content area where that student might be finding success. With this method, I could find helpful ways of connecting to my student, while also helping him/her to the best of my ability. The parents are also a huge aspect for building relationships outside of the profession because they can give you insight into their child’s needs and individualism. If we build strong connections with parental figures, then we are finding yet another, and probably the most effective and influential, connection to our students. Finally, within INTASC 10, we discover that it is extremely important to be an advocate for our students. If we build a strong connection with a student, then we should be able to recognize and empathize with a student, given moments of distress. Especially in the middle school and high school years, students are very influential and highly affected by the world around them. If we create these relationships and maintain a certain openness and understanding toward our students, we may find that they have more going on in their lives than we imagined. We will find that for beginning teachers through veteran teachers, the understanding of the importance of interpersonal relationships and professional collaboration is the most effective way to become a better educator, a better advocate for your students, and a better opportunity for the achievement of your students.



Reflection A: “The teacher understands factors in the students’ environment within the school culture and outside of school” To best demonstrate my understanding of INTASC 10, I have provided an attachment of a Child Study in which I completed during my Middle School Rotation at Pine Grove Middle School. Within the Child Study, I have provided information about a deeper understanding about a particular student and his behavior, academic ability, and socialization with peers. Based upon my learning from the Child Study, I found that it is extremely important for every teacher to learn to take the time and invest in the learning and well being of every student. My Child Study proves that I have understood the importance of INTASC 10 with my ability to understand and relate to this student as an individual, as I should for every student when I have a classroom of my own. In understanding and investing time and consideration for every student, we are not only providing them with the opportunity for a more welcoming and safe environment, but we are also assisting with a positive impact with their individual learning. There are many factors that play a role in student’s learning and it important that we try to find the best possible way to find a connection and understanding with every student. I understand from my Child Study, that such a suggestion will take time and patience, especially if the student is reluctant, but any aspect of a student, especially their life outside of the classroom, can play a major role in how they learn. After reflecting upon my student’s behaviors, academic ability, and socialization with peers, I found new and interesting methods of instruction for my student. It was because I took the time to relate to my student that I found the best possible way for him to be engaged, stay focused, and learn to the best of his ability. Many times, especially within the Middle School and High School age group, students crave to simply be understood. If we can find that common ground and understanding through connecting with our student, then their academic performance will most likely flourish in response.

Reflection B: “The teacher consults and utilizes school-based resource personnel to support all students.” For my Child Study artifact in INTASC 10, I have found the importance of utilizing the resources and academic and personal personnel to best help me provide and understand my student. As it should be done for every student, I was given the opportunity to go outside of the classroom for more insight and understanding of my student for the Child Study. I was able to observe my student within another classroom environment, an out of class environment, and I was also able to interview other faculty that has developed their own relationship with my student in another classroom. From this research, I found a great deal of information for how my student interacts with others, how he is able to reach his highest ability academically, and how he has an undying need to be understood. From observing my student in another classroom and questioning the instructor of that class, I have found that my student works best when he has one-on-one assistance from instructors, and also when he is surrounded by other motivated and conscientious students. This research demonstrates my understanding of INTASC 10 because I have reached beyond the classroom to determine factors of my student that will help me understand him as an individual and as a priority within the classroom. By implementing this research upon all of the students within a class, educators can facilitate a classroom full of positive student learning. Many times, students want to be noticed, engaged and well understood; therefore, it is our job as educators to take the time to do so in order to best assist their learning and well being within the classroom. I have found that from my Child Study, if I were to teach this student again, I would be sure to implement more collaborative group lessons to give him time to socialize and reflect ideas with his peers, I would spend extra time giving him more one-on-one assistance with assignments, and I would also be sure to place him near other students who are motivated and focused with their assessments so he can act within the same manner. This research is very beneficial for connecting and relating to students with their needs and behavior within the classroom.