Domain II

Domain II: Content and Curricular Design
A competent teacher is one that deeply understands the practices of effective pedagogy
and how to create meaningful learning experiences for students. This requires in-depth planning
and clear execution. The teacher understands how to peak students’ interest in a subject, provide
purpose for the learning, and eloquently guide students through inquiry of content. This requires
the teacher to understand how to scaffold learning, allowing students to go at their own pace and
challenge themselves towards mastery of the content (2.1 & 2.2). When designing units, an
excellent teacher thinks through how students would best understand and make connections
across multiple disciplines. Using standards as guide to building knowledge, an excellent teacher
goes beyond the standards to interweave subjects and provide hidden curriculum that develops
students in social participation, decision-making, and political efficacy (2.5 & 2.7). This teacher
also understands how children learn, and how to present information in clear manageable parts
that help students build knowledge. Furthermore, the teacher can elaborate on the importance of
each lesson and how it aligns with state standards and curriculum. Throughout units the teacher
should continue to reiterate the importance of the learning and how it can impact their daily lives
(2.3).
An effective teacher utilizes multiple resources not only to develop valid information to
present to students, but also to seek out different ways the information can be made meaningful
and purposeful for students in both in- and out-of-school contexts. The teacher communicates
with families and is involved in the community in order to understand student backgrounds in
order to design meaningful learning experiences that promote students to make positive change
in their world (2.6). This empowers students to be decision makers and leaders. Every student
deserves to feel this way, which is why it is imperative that learning is made accessible for all
children. The best way to do this is to provide multiple learning experiences that will connect
best with different students. No student is the same, but if a teacher is able to make learning
accessible and meaningful to all students, they all may be empowered to create positive change
in their world (2.4). Every student brings something unique to not only the classroom, but also
the world. Students need to be empowered to see how they could truly discover their purpose and
make a difference.
Self-Analysis
Becoming an effective teacher is not only about creating fun activities, but rather creating
meaningful and engaging learning experiences. In reflection of my teaching, I feel I have grown
in the domain tremendously. I have always loved thinking of creative ways for students to
experience learning, but in the past, I struggled to make the lessons and activities truly
meaningful and impactful. In my preschool setting I grew in being able to differentiate
instruction and meet the needs of my students while also providing whole group instruction. I did
this primarily through communication expectations (2.1). Each student was at their own level of
developing communication and I created activities, such as my fishing lesson for LAMP words,
to engage all students and provide individualized practice. In preschool, I gained understanding
that all instruction was going to need to be presented through play (2.2). In second grade, I
gained further developmental understanding that students are truly starting to identify themselves
as member of a larger community. I created opportunities such as our autobiographies unit to
allow students to reflect on how they see themselves and how others see them. This perspective
truly made the content meaningful and engaging for students as well as empowered them to see
that they have influence in their world (2.6 & 2.7).

My cooperating teachers have had a great influence on my growth in this domain as well.
Through working with them and collaborating with other stakeholders in my students lives, we
have been able to design instruction that is much more effective than what I could ever come up
with on my own (2.4). They have helped me grow in my organizational skills as well in
designing units of instruction. Though this was not my strength at the beginning of the semester,
I feel confident now that I can break down large concepts that are presented through the
standards and create a string of meaningful learning experiences that lead all students to the
mastery of content (2.3 & 2.5).

Domain II

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Domain II: Content and Curricular Design

meaningful and impactful. In my preschool setting I grew in being able to differentiate

as member of a larger community. I created opportunities such as our autobiographies unit to

that they have influence in their world (2.6 & 2.7).

mastery of content (2.3 & 2.5).

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