Professional Responsibilities

Section 5: Professional Responsibilities
·         Professional Dispositions Assessment
Aligned to INTASC Standard 9
Professional Dispositions Assessment
Please indicate your level of agreement with each statement listed below using the response scale of 1-5. Use this assessment to inform your Professional Dispositions Statement.
1 = Strongly Disagree    2 = Disagree    3 = Undecided    4 = Agree    5 = Strongly Agree
Professional Dispositions Criteria
1
2
3
4
5
I believe a teacher must use a variety of instructional strategies to optimize student learning.




x
I understand that students learn in many different ways.



x

I demonstrate qualities of humor, empathy, and warmth.




x
I am a thoughtful and responsive listener.



x

I assume responsibility when working with others.



x

I believe that all students can learn.




x
I believe it is important to involve all students in learning.




x
I believe the classroom environment a teacher creates greatly affects students' learning and development.




x
I view teaching as an important profession.




x
I understand that teachers’ expectations affect student learning.




x
I view teaching as a collaborative effort among educators.




x
I understand that students have certain needs that must be met before learning can take place.




x
I am sensitive to student differences.




x
I communicate caring, concern, and a willingness to become involved with others.



x

I am punctual and reliable in my attendance.




x
I maintain a professional appearance.




x
I believe it is my job to create a learning environment conducive to the development of students’ self-confidence and competence.



x

I respect the cultures of all students and am sensitive to cultural norms.




x
I honor my commitments.




x
I treat students with dignity and respect at all times.




x
I am willing to receive feedback and assessment of my teaching.



x

I am patient when working with students.




x
I am open to adjusting and revising my plans to meet student needs.




x
I communicate in ways that demonstrate respect for the feelings, ideas, and contributions of others.




x
I believe it is important to learn about students and their communities.




x



Professional Disposition Statement
Aligned to INTASC Standard 9


Personal Disposition Statement:
I believe that all students, regardless of background, are capable of learning and that they deserve an equal opportunity to receive that education. I believe that it is my job as an educator to reach out to those students most in need and to offer them my assistance whenever and however I can, serving as a support system and advocate as required. I believe that the learning environment should be welcoming, safe, inclusive, and functional in a way that enhances the student’s ability to learn. I believe that teachers are lifelong learners and that we must be willing to see our faults and work to improve ourselves constantly, including graciously receiving feedback from other professionals.
I value my students and welcome their diversity, individuality, heritage, goals, personal beliefs, and rights, and I treat each student with dignity, respect, and hold each of them to the same high expectations. I believe that teachers must be flexible, open to change, and able to quickly adapt but must also maintain routines and uphold their commitments and promises. Ultimately, a teacher must be dedicated to the students above all else and willing to walk the extra miles that are required of them while educating the future leaders of the world.

            Reflection:
            Throughout the course of my degree program at Grand Canyon, I have grown exponentially as a professional educator. Not only have I learned the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of my trade, but I have also learned a great deal about interacting with others and presenting myself in a professional manner that still appears approachable and friendly. Even then, I still feel that I have a long way to go in becoming the ideal and experienced educator; I feel that my assessment reflects the confidence that I have in my skills while still managing to acknowledge that I am not yet perfectly skilled in some areas. These are the areas where I know I still need to improve myself as an educator. Taking feedback graciously is one area where I feel that I can improve as I am quick to take criticism personally and to view it as harsh even when I am aware that it was not intended in that way. To improve myself in this area, I will attempt to view the criticism as objectively as possible, considering all angles of the issue before reacting.
            Most of the beliefs that I entered my degree program with remain intact and this includes things like believing that all students are capable of learning and that all students deserve an education, that there are many ways that students can learn and that all students should be afforded the respect and dignity that we would want to have ourselves. I now more fully understand and appreciate what students must offer each other in terms of diversity and learning from each other’s unique backgrounds and experiences and I further understand the importance of integrating different cultures, perspectives, and religions from around the world as there is always something we can learn from others and expanding their worldview is important to creating well-rounded and decent people who respect each other’s differences.

My Personal Teaching Philosophy Video Reflection
Aligned to INTASC Standard 9




My Personal Professional Growth Plan
Aligned to INTASC Standard 9

Personal Growth Plan


Complete the chart below to plan your professional development over the next 2-3 years. Be sure your goals are specific and measureable.


Goal #1:
Complete my Master’s Degree

Goal #2:
Seek ELL Endorsement
Goal #3:
Join the NCTE
Rationale: Why did you choose this goal? How do you expect it to improve the outcomes of your future students?
I chose this goal for two reasons. First, it can help me to get ahead in my career. While it is possible to get ahead with only a bachelor’s in the teaching field, the master’s degree gives teachers that extra push and can help certify them as specialists in their field, can lead to increased endorsements and a wider area of expertise.
Secondly, if I have a group of students that struggles with any particular area, my master’s degree knowledge and training may be just what I need to help them. Beyond this, however, should I decide to earn my Masters in Elementary Education and seek a K-12 endorsement, I will be better equipped to help a wider array of students.
I chose this goal because I will very likely be working in an area where the local school districts have a large Hispanic population and where many students are first or second-generation Hispanic immigrants.
These districts also face an increased rate of ELL students with a high teacher turnover rate and this makes the hunt for certified ELL teachers a year-round ordeal.
Even if I eventually decide not to work exclusively with ELL kids, I can still make use of the teaching methods taught to me during this program to reach out the native-English speaking students who need extra assistance in the ELA field.
I chose this goal because the NCTE is the National Council of Teachers of English.
The group claims world-wide collaboration and networking for all English teachers.
This would be of benefit to me and my students as I would have increased access to ELA resources and an easy and sure fire way to find interesting lesson plans.
End Date: By when do you expect to accomplish this goal?
I expect to have earned by Master’s degree by May 2020.
I expect to earn an ELL Endorsement by May 2021.
I expect to have joined the NCTE by September 2018.
Action Timeline: What steps will you take to complete this goal, and by when will you take them? Example: 
1/31/18: Join AACTE
1.       I will finish my Bachelor’s degree from GCU and finish my student teaching in May 2018.
2.       I will apply for Colorado State Teaching Licensure in May 2018.
3.       I will begin applying to Grad Schools with the specialty Masters of Education degrees that interest me in May and June of 2018.
4.       I will work through my Master’s program while working as a teacher full time.
After completing my Bachelor’s degree from GCU and my Master’s degree from an as-of-yet-unknown school, I will see ELL certification through the state of Colorado.
This will require studying, a certain number of hours spent, hands-on, with ELL students, and some kind of state-determined qualifications and skill set test.
I will complete my Bachelor’s from GCU and apply for my CO state teaching license.
Once this is done and I have landed a job for the coming school year, I will join the NCTE.
Resources: What resources are available to assist you in accomplishing your goal?
Grand Canyon University offers many Masters in Education degrees that I have considered but I have not fully made up my mind yet.
Northern Colorado University offers an accelerated Masters of Elementary Education that has also interested me but, again, I have not yet decided.
GCU offers a number of ELL based resources and, I believe, a degree program.
Otherwise, other resources include my fellow teachers and the resources included trough the district.
The NCTE itself is the resource.



Professional and Updated Resume


Jesika Miller



Skills

I am an extremely quick-learner, extremely adept at very quickly mastering new and unfamiliar tasks and concepts. I also am very resourceful and find it easy to ‘think on my feet’ and I can very easily adapt to the unexpected.  I also have a history of excellent academics and an exceptional level of content knowledge. I am well-versed and very familiar with a variety of computer programs, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and grading programs like Infinite Campus. Finally, I am also an independent thinker and problem solver and will always try to resolve issues on my own before seeking assistance.

Experience

Student Teaching | East High School| Spring 2018

Observed and taught under the ELA Department Head, Terri Pacheco, moving from observation to full control over the classroom and all functions over the course of the semester.

Customer Service Representative | ACS Inc.  January 2010-August 2010

Responsible for educating the customer and handling trouble-shooting and complaints as well as retaining a level of confidentiality and professional demeanor at all times.

EDUCATION

Bachelors of Science in Secondary Education with English Emphasis | April 2018                            Grand Canyon University

GPA: 3.96 Cumulative
Honors: summa cum laude
Recipient: Perseverance Scholarship Award
10-times President’s List Inclusion

References:

Terri Pacheco – 719.250.4483
Dr. Jay Whitlow – 1.941.961.0030
Jacqueline Riggs – 719.423.3909

Licensure

Currently obtaining a Colorado State Initial Teacher License after completing an accepted Teacher Education Program and passing all required content knowledge exams.

Email
Phone
jesika.d.h.miller@gmail.com
719-453-4805
Address
Portfolio
614 Cleveland St.
Pueblo, CO
81004
https://jesikamillerteachingportfolio.blogspot.com/

Volunteer Experience

Summer 2006/Summer 2007

Worked with the Pikes Peak Library District to organize and implement the Summer Reading Program enrollment and awards distribution.

Summer 2008
Worked with Cornerstone Community Church in Sheridan, Wyoming to organize and run their Summer Bible Camp, taking charge of the 3 and 4-year-old groups.