Educators have a big responsibility to be an active member of the instructional team at their institution. Every educator has valuable and unique knowledge about each student, and must share that information with colleagues, administrators, and corresponding families to the benefit of the students. Additionally, educators should work across content areas with their colleagues to create safe and encouraging learning environments where students feel supported.
For students to reach their fullest potential, it’s paramount that teachers collaborate and work closely with parents as much as possible. Teachers should communicate concerns with a student’s parents or guardians, but they should also communicate positive events and success stories. By communicating clearly and frequently, teachers can extend the student’s circle of academic support. During my student teaching experience, I made sure to communicate with parents about my presence in their children’s classroom and ask for permission to photograph them for my portfolio. I was also able to meet some of my students’ parents at Titan 21 night, a community event at Hidden Valley High School where teachers and students together display their creative projects for families to see.
Teachers can also adhere to this standard by working as an instructional team within the classroom. When teachers work with colleagues in their departments or in other content areas, the school community grows stronger and teachers grow together in the evolution of their professional knowledge and practices. During my student teaching, I participated in regular school-wide and department-focused faculty meetings spanning topics like suicide prevention, opioid drug use prevention, formative assessments, remediation, and more.
Another way I demonstrate this standard is through my involvement in the Hidden Valley Girls Soccer Team as a volunteer coach. When teachers participate in school extracurriculars, they more fully integrate themselves into the fabric of the school community. By coaching, the teacher gains a more holistic perspective on students and can serve as a unique resource in the school building for other faculty and staff members who may have problems with or questions about particular student-athletes. Female teachers who also coach are in an especially important position as strong female leaders, serving as role models for adolescent girls.
For more information about my perspective on this professional standard, please see my reflections on leadership and collaboration.