Teacher Work Sample Description
The Teacher Work Sample assignment is an assignment through which teacher candidates provide credible evidence of their ability to facilitate the learning of their students. The TWS consists of seven teaching processes identified by research and practice as fundamental to improving student learning. Students are required to teach a comprehensive unit. Before they teach the unit, they describe contextual factors and identify learning goals based on state standards. They then create an assessment plan that identifies key assessments to be used before, during and after the unit. Teacher candidates then plan for instruction. After they teach the unit, they are required to analyze student learning and reflect upon their own teaching as it relates to student learning. Each process is evaluated through the use of a rubric that defines the various levels of performance on the standard.
Electronic Portfolio
The electronic portfolio is an exit requirement for the MAT program. You will begin working on your electronic portfolio right at the beginning when you enter the program. You will complete your portfolio and present it to an audience of peers, college faculty, cooperating teachers, and administrators towards the end of your program in EDUC 615-the capstone experience. You will share initial iterations of the portfolio at the end of Internship I (EDUC 694 or SPED 691) and again after Internship II so as to receive helpful feedback from peers and college faculty. The following criteria are the items you will have to demonstrate when you present your portfolio:
- Your unique attributes and stance as a teacher;
- Your ability to teach in accordance with your beliefs;
- Your ability to use New Jersey Core Curriculum content standards as a guide in designing learning experiences that communicate high expectations to children and challenge them appropriately.
- Your ability to elicit meaningful, high quality thinking and work from all children, including those with differing abilities and special needs;
- Your ability to use technology appropriately and effectively in delivering instruction (the electronic portfolio itself may be partial evidence of this);
- Your ability to inquire into your own practice and use the evidence from such inquiry to improve your instruction. (the inquiry project may be partial evidence of this);
- Your commitment to advocating for all children (You may include evidence of work with colleagues, parent, and community resources, or any special efforts you made to assist a specific child or group of children.)
- Your commitment to lifelong professional development, including evidence of growth through reflection and goal-setting and participation in professional organizations and collegial activities.