The Vermont
Standards Board for Professional Educators
compels teachers to reflect upon the Standards
for Vermont Educators and to maintain a
portfolio of examples of their work. The following is my portfolio in
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Learning
At the heart of these standards is the
concept of thoughtful action. Educators need to remain constantly
informed by new findings and instruction. Each Vermont educator will
continue to acquire fresh knowledge in the chosen area(s) of
professional endorsement. Each will then demonstrate this freshly
acquired knowledge in his/her practice and will adjust this practice
to reflect the result of the learning experience.
Professional
Knowledge
The term "profession" implies a unique
body of knowledge shared by and useful to all members of a
professional group. Each Vermont educator will demonstrate a
commitment to professional development by acquiring professional
knowledge in the following areas and demonstrating
inter-relationships among the areas of knowledge:
Collegueship
To be a professional means to work with
others within the profession to further the profession's vision and
goals. Each Vermont educator will show a commitment to Vermont's
education goals by working collaboratively with colleagues toward the
pursuit of a common set of goals in the school district and by being
an active and sharing participant in the profession.
Advocacy
Vermont educators recognize the importance
of a community and family structure in promoting a readiness to be
educated. Each Vermont educator will carry out responsibilities in a
way that utilizes community partnership and promotes the educational
health of Vermont learners.
Accountability
Higher education institutions, school
districts, and local standards boards share the overall
responsibility for professional development in Vermont. The standards
related to Learning, Professional Knowledge, Colleagueship, and
Advocacy must be addressed by each of these groups as it establishes
licensing and relicensing efforts. However, burden of proof of competence must shift from the institution to the
individual. It is each professional's responsibility, at the start of
a career, to share the responsibility for documenting and
demonstrating competence. Each Vermont educator seeking a
professional
license will assemble a professional
portfolio for this purpose that contains multiple methods of
measurement (e.g. tests, observations, written reports, videotapes,
professional publications) and which shows how these professional
standards have been addressed.
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