Element A: Teachers demonstrate high standards for professional conduct.

- For this artifact, I decided to use my professional disposition self-evaluation sheet from the very beginning of my student teaching. This self evaluation allowed me to asses where I stood in my professional dispositions after being trained throughout my time at CSU in my art, art education, and education courses, as well as my time in my practicums in Colorado schools. This acted as a mid-point check in (midpoint of my education) to see my growth, and to use as a tool to continue assessing my professionalism while student teaching. Looking at this specific self-evaluation, I would say I have excelled in the 'Commitment to Profession' portion, simply because of the experiences I have had while taking on a full art teacher position, and then returning back to my student teaching role unexpectedly. This entire experience has been a roller coaster, so to speak, but I believe it has helped shape me into a more resilient and well versed educator who can manage the challenges thrown at us everyday. 

Link: CSU CEP Professional Dispositions 

(accomplished, proficient, developing, emergent)


Element B: Teachers link professional growth to their professional goals.

- As I have learned throughout my time at Sussex Central High School, Professional Development (PD) is a huge part of our growth as educators. Each month we meet in Pods to discuss different topics, and how we can use new or different strategies in our classrooms. I have found that the most beneficial topic we have discussed in the past few months was co teaching and how it can positively affect a classroom and students growth in a subject. I found this to be beneficial because since September, I have been co-teaching with two great mentors. Specifically, co-teaching has been the most beneficial in the 5th period Clay and Sculpture class, which has level II, level III, and AP sculpture all in one class. As you might imagine, that can be a lot for one teacher to manage, since all levels are doing something slightly different. In our pods we discussed separating the class into two groups, and having one teacher teach a lesson in one way, and the other teach it in a different way. The example they used was math, so setting up the equation looked different for each group, but the end result was the same. This can be applied in art, specifically this Clay and Sculpture class, to help ensure each student is getting proper instruction, and help when needed.  A handout that was given to us in this PD day was about collaboration, and how we can have the students rely on each other for learning and exploring in the classroom. Two worksheets are highlighted below that have helped tremendously in the classroom. 













(accomplished, proficient, developing, emergent)

Element C: Teachers respond to a complex, dynamic environment.

- Sussex Central High School is quite a diverse school, with the total minority enrollment being 62% (US News). It is standard practice to translate everything you are posting on Schoology from English to Spanish. This ensures every student has equal access to education. Personally, I do not know much Spanish, but I have learned to use my resources in order to communicate with my students. Google Translate has become a tool I use quite often. At the beginning of student teaching, I was nervous about how I would communicate with students who do not speak very much English, but I quickly learned that when a student is eager to learn, it becomes easier to adjust to new tools and a dynamic environment. In addition to non-English speaking students, there are several students with IEP's and 504 plans. These are very important to remember when assigning work and working with students one on one. I have had great experiences working with students who may need some extra help, and sitting in on IEP/504 meetings to learn and suggest how we as teachers can better improve their experience in the classroom. Some students require more help than others, which can be challenging with large classes with several levels all in one class. At the end of the day it is easy to remind myself that every student is worth giving my best effort as an educator. 









Image 1: Graph courtesy of niche.com highlighting the diverse population at SCHS.
Image 2: This is how I use google translate in the classroom to communicate with MLL students. I use the speaker button so they can hear it. 

(accomplished, proficient, developing, emergent)

Element D: Teachers demonstrate leadership in the school, the community, and the teaching profession.

- Community building is one of the most important aspects of this district. There are several times throughout the year where the high schools go to the middle schools, and the middle schools go to the elementary schools to show the students different clubs and pathways they can join as they move up in the district. I had the opportunity to go to Millsboro Middle School this fall to man a table at the community fair. I was one of the several tables from SCHS to show the amazing pathways and clubs we offer to incoming students. It was very neat talking to middle school students and seeing what they are passionate about, and what they look forward to in high school. Since this was open to the entire community and district, there was a larger crowd of elementary students, so they were not as interested in learning about what art classes we offer at the high school level. Nonetheless, this night was successful in the fact that we got to highlight our art program at SCHS, and make connections with potential future students.














(accomplished, proficient, developing, emergent)



- I believe I demonstrate professionalism every day, whether it is in my classroom, communicating with parents, learning from other teachers, and being apart of my community. I believe learning is not linear, and I strive to learn from my students just as much as I hope they are learning from me. Challenges always arise, but how we react to them, and learn from them is what makes us a more well rounded educator. I strive to get more involve with my community in the future, as I know my community will always support teachers and the growth of our future generations. Teachers are leaders and I am excited to keep growing and learning.