Essential Teaching Practices for the Middle School

Candidate Survey Question

Staff Belief Statements

Essential Practices

1. I know what is expected of me in my classes.

All Candidates will clearly know what is expected of them in each class.

·Take muster consistently (beginning and end).

·Post daily agenda and learning objectives.

·Utilize Candidate planners.

·Provide grading rubrics.

2. In my classes, I have the materials & equipment to do my work right (correctly).

All Candidates will have access to the materials they need in order to do their class assignments well.

·Supply pens, pencils, and paper.

·Offer books and reference materials.

·Hold Candidates accountable for being prepared.

3. In one or more of my classes, I have the opportunity to do what I do best.

All Candidates will have opportunities in their classes to do what they do best.

·Offer choice and flexibility in assignments and projects.

·Invite Candidate feedback for improving class.

·Use varied methods of instruction and content delivery.

4. About every week, I receive recognition or praise for doing good work from at least one of my teachers.

All teachers will regularly give praise and recognition to Candidates for doing good work.

·Give public and private praise.

·Contact parent/guardian with good news.

·Announce and post exemplary work.

5. My teachers regularly inform me about how I am doing in my classes.

All teachers will regularly inform Candidates of how they are doing in class.

·Carry out bi-weekly Candidate conferences in class.

·Actively mentor Candidates in homeroom.

·Post a minimum of 2 grades per week on Parent Portal.

6. There is at least one teacher at school who seems to care about me as a person.

All teachers will regularly show that they care about each Candidate as a person.

·Remember something unique about all Candidates while interacting with them.

·Do not show Candidate favoritism.

·Do not engage in sarcasm with or gossip/negativity about Candidates.

7. There is at least one teacher at school who regularly encourages my achievement.

All teachers will regularly encourage Candidates’ achievements.

·Display Candidates’ achievements.

·Explain the importance of a skill being learned.

·Provide timely feedback on assignments or assessments.

·Have Candidates re-do poor quality work.

8. I believe my teachers are experts in what they teach.

All teachers will demonstrate that they are experts in what and how they teach.

·Use practical examples for content relevance.

·Show excitement in subject area.

·Inform Candidates of your own achievements and world experiences.