The Wittenberg teacher education program seeks to address three dimensions of candidate development. The first dimension entails the capacities for professional competence as it pertains to content knowledge, pedagogy and curriculum development. The second dimension, community, relates to the candidate's care in providing for classrooms, the community at large and issues of advocacy and collaboration. The third dimension deals with character, described in terms of personal character, professional character and service to the community. These three dimensions of candidate development provide the organizing structure for the performance outcomes we hold for all candidates in our undergraduate program. We have chosen to align our three dimensions to the four domains based on Danielson's Framework for Teaching as a more commonly-used view of teaching competencies.
Competence
- Demonstrates thorough content knowledge.
- Plans effective instruction.
- Implements instructional practices that support the achievement of all learners.
- Uses assessment to guide classroom instruction and evaluate learning.
- Demonstrates proficiency in oral & written language skills, interpersonal skills, nonverbal, & media communication techniques to promote productive inquiry and collaboration.
Character
- Demonstrates global awareness and sensitivity toward issues affecting schools, communities, nations and the world.
- Demonstrates a commitment to professional growth and teaching excellence.
- Demonstrates the ethics and values associated with the teaching profession.
Community
- Establishes a safe, nurturing, accessible, and just learning community.
- Advocates for learners in school and community.
Teacher Performance Outcomes (TPO) by the 4 Domains
Planning
1. Demonstrates thorough content knowledge.
2. Plans effective instruction.
Instruction
3. Implements instructional practices that support the achievement of all learners.
4. Uses assessment to guide classroom instruction and evaluate learning.
Environment
5. Establishes a safe, nurturing, accessible and just learning community.
6. Demonstrates global awareness of sensitivity towards issues affecting schools, communities, nations and the world.
Professionalism
7. Demonstrates a commitment to professional growth and teaching excellence.
8. Demonstrates the ethics and values associated with the teaching profession.
9. Advocates for learners in school and community.
10. Demonstrates proficiency in oral & written language skills, interpersonal skills, nonverbal and media communication techniques to promote productive inquiry and collaboration.