Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. My Rationale
3. Current Resume

Professional Standards

1. Content and Curriculum
   
   
2. Knowledge of Students and their Learning
   
   
3. Learning Environments
   
   
4. Assessment
   
   
5. Planning and Instruction
   
   
6. Professionalism
   
   

Introduction

"If the condition of man is to be progressively ameliorated, as we fondly hope and believe, education is to be the chief instrument in effecting it." --Thomas Jefferson

Welcome to my electronic portfolio. This project serves as the culminating project for the Department of Social Science Education's program in initial secondary teacher certification in the spring semester, 2004. What lies inside is a collection of intriguing reflections and artifacts that illuminate my teaching methods and rationale that sheds light on what I teach for.

This past semester I had the opportunity to teach Economics and World History at Monroe Area High School. There I was able to put into practice all of the hard work that I have completed as an undergraduate at The University of Georgia. The classroom environment proved to be an incredible dynamic that solidified my reasons almost daily of why I want to teach. Monroe is an incredibly diverse area that allowed me to learn a lot about myself as a teacher as well as a person. Most importantly, I learned about what I want to constantly strive for, which is to create an environment that consistently fosters good teaching. Within my portfolio you will be exposed to what my view of good teaching encompasses.

At Monroe I was thrust into the everyday workings of schools, the struggles that teachers undergo while in these schools, and provided with the opportunity to reflect upon and understand what my role was in this process. Previous to the genesis of the student teaching experience I had been an outside observer, but I did not fully understand what it meant to be a teacher until I was on the other side of the desk. This experience has rather solidly instilled in me a stable foundation for my future pursuits in the educational arena.

My portfolio offers a comprehensive, although not exhaustive glimpse at my accomplishments as a social studies teacher. Hopefully by examining the contents you will acquire a firm grasp upon my views of what a social education should comprise. I feel that my accomplishments provide me with an excellent springboard in which I can build upon my professional practice as a social studies educator. It is my intention that each person who views these contents will look with an eye towards what it would be like to be an active participant in my classroom. Thank you and enjoy!