This week starts my new journey to become a California high school math teacher. ITL-600 is the introductory course for the program, and I am excited to get started. All courses are 4 weeks long, so things are going to be moving pretty quickly. I will do my best to post on my progress often.
The school has conveniently provided a snapshot overview of the course, which makes my work here a little easier. To find out more about the course…read on.
Snapshot Overview of ITL 600
Each week scaffolds you into understanding the program progression and expectations. It is vital that you understand the program requirements to see the value in every assignment and resource that is given to you! In ITL 600 you will connect the fundamentals which are the foundation of your ITL journey.
Stretch your mindset to make the connections to everything you are learning, do not view them in silos as they all intersect!
Week 1: Let the Journey Begin!
Navigating NU, the ITL Program, Field Experience and Test Prep
The ITL Student Life Cycle Exploration the ITL program requirements, expectations, testing requirements, how to unpack a rubric and reflecting on your hopes and fears of the future.
Knowledge Component
WHY? It will make your assignments easier! You will also begin your work in knowledge check quizzes. You NEED to take the time to watch the knowledge check videos so that you know the “why” behind engaging in knowledge check. The goal of using knowledge check is that candidates can gain the foundational understanding of concepts before working in the assignments of the week. Which means you are expected to work through the knowledge check questions and resources to determine if you have the prior knowledge of the content (honoring what you already know).
Caution: If you are ready to “google” the question, stop, we have carefully chosen the resources you need to gain this knowledge in the context in which you will need to frame the concepts. These are resources we suggest you download and save as these concepts will continue to evolve through the program. Knowledge check are an assignment that MUST be done FIRST before you begin the assignments as they provide you the foundation to do well on the assignments. You must achieve 80% to earn your points per MC by Tuesday every week. You will earn 2 points per MC.
CONNECT ~ Now keeping in mind program requirements, rubric unpacking, your personal hopes and fears as you begin week 2…make connections to the week 2 content!
Week 2: Who am I? What are the professional expectations of a teacher in California?
Personal Identity and Teacher Performance Expectations (TPEs)
You will deeply reflect on and examine your Personal Identity, both as a person and as an educator. Gaining perspective on your Personal Identity will provide you with insight into your current strengths/assets as you dive into the Teacher Performance Expectations (TPEs). This week you will focus on TPE 1; elements 1-8.
CONNECT ~ Think about how your personal identity and TPE 1.1-1.8 intersect with the program, requirements and your personal and professional growth (TPEs) now take these intersections forward into your week.
Week 3: What is Social Emotional Learning? What is Field Experience in the ITL Program
SEL Playbook Resources and simSchool.
Begin to gain perspective on the Social Emotional Learning both personally and professionally. You will also begin to prepare for field experience in simSchool.
CONNECT ~ Think about the intersections between your program, TPE 1, personal identity and the 5 components of SEL.
Week 4: Grounding yourself as a teacher candidate in the ITL Program
Reflective Practice, the Inspired Teacher and the construction of an ITL Roadmap
Now you will use all content from weeks 1-3 to help inform what you share why you are an Inspire(d) teacher, develop an individualized program roadmap and get ready for field experiences.
CONNECTIONS MADE in ITL 600 are your foundation moving into ITL 604 ~ you will continue to build your knowledge and skills as you have identified your personal identity, strengths/assets growth TPE 1 areas, SEL, your ITL program roadmap and being an inspire(d) teacher candidate! As you move into ITL 604, The Learner I, you will shift to thinking about the learners in your class.
Reflective Discussion Posts
Rationale of using video reflection as a medium: As a teacher you need to get comfortable with having others watch you teach as well as watching yourself teach. Teachers in the 21st Century do not teach in a silo with their door closed, inclusive classroom include co-teaching, intervention specialists and many other support roles who will be in your classroom. Gaining confidence presenting in front of others is an important aspect of teaching. Also, in order to pass the CalTPA you will be recoding yourself teaching and will have to annotate your instruction. ITL will scaffold your ability to present in front of others as well as how to deeply reflect. The CalTPA will not judge you on your APA but it does require you to be able to reflect in writing on your teaching: planning, instruction, assessment and reflection!
Assignment Summary
