Competency 001:

The teacher understands human development processes and applies this knowledge to plan
instruction and ongoing assessment that motivate students and are responsive to their
developmental characteristics and needs.
Teachers must be able to understand the way that children think in order to relay the
information that the students need to learn. It is important that a student stays motivated
and understands the content because that is the whole point of school. This all begins
with the teacher.
Competency 002:
The teacher understands student diversity and knows how to plan learning experiences and
design assessments that are responsive to differences among students and that promote all
students’ learning.
Every student in America has the right to an equal education regardless of race, gender,
and religion. A teacher must understand that every student learns in a different manor and
just because one student understands the content does not mean that another does.
Teachers must be able to adapt to the students’ needs because it is a teacher’s job to make
sure that students learn everything they need to know to advance to the next grade.
Competency 003:
The teacher understands procedures for designing effective and coherent instruction and
assessment based on appropriate learning goals and objectives.
Teachers need to make sure that their material is relevant and effective for the students to
be able to learn what is expected of them. Teachers must also be able to give instructions
in a manner that is clear and easily understood by the large majority. It is crucial that
students know what the goal and desired outcome is to be able to have success within the
content.
Competency 004:
The teacher understands learning processes and factors that impact student learning and
demonstrates this knowledge by planning effective, engaging instruction and appropriate
assessments.
It is a teacher’s job to organize the content into lesson plans. A teacher must make sure
that the lesson plans are appropriate for the age of the child as well as effective in
teaching the contention and impactful to a student’s needs. The teacher should make sure
that their lessons are effective and engaging and that a student will learn from what is
being taught.
Competency 005:
The teacher knows how to establish a classroom climate that fosters learning, equity and
excellence and uses this knowledge to create a physical and emotional environment that is safe
and productive.
Creating a good learning environment to make sure that kids are able to interpret content
in an appropriate manner is more important than one may think. A teacher does not want
to have a classroom that is going to distract a student from their work, but they also do
not want something that is going to make students board. Children should feel safe in a
learning environment.
Competency 006:
The teacher understands strategies for creating an organized and productive learning
environment and for managing student behavior.
Making sure that students know how to act and learn in a classroom setting is important
as they continue to advance to the next grade and gain more knowledge. Teachers have to
make sure that, not just themselves, but their students are also organized. Organization is
a very essential soft skill that all humans should possess.
Competency 007:
The teacher understands and applies principles and strategies for communicating effectively in
varied teaching and learning contexts.
Teachers should be able to properly communicate with the students when their work is
going to be due and what is expected of them. It is also important, mostly in elementary
and middle school, that a parent knows what is happening with their children at school.
Therefore, teachers must also be able to communicate in an appropriate manner with the
parents or guardians as well as other teachers.
Competency 008:
The teacher provides appropriate instruction that actively engages students in the learning
process.
Teachers must make sure that their students are actively engaged in the content, if not it
will not be absorbed or will be easily forgotten. There are usually multiple different parts
that contribute to the teaching or learning of a piece of material. It is important that
students understand every piece of the material.
Competency 009:
The teacher incorporates the effective use of technology to plan, organize, deliver and evaluate
instruction for all students.
In a changing world, we as teachers have to make sure that our students are going to be
able to effectively use technology in the workplace. No matter where we go or what we
do, technology is usually involved in some way, and it is only going to continue to
advance as we age.
Competency 010:
The teacher monitors student performance and achievement; provides students with timely, high-
quality feedback; and responds flexibly to promote learning for all students.
It is a teacher’s job to make sure that kids have all they need to start a good life for
themselves education wise. It is important that teachers catch developmental or education
differences within their students. For me this competency means the most to me because I
was not informed until I was a senior in high school that I had a learning disability, and
by that time, it’s almost too late to take action.
Competency 011:
The teacher understands the importance of family involvement in children’s education and
knows how to interact and communicate effectively with families.
The most important part of development happens at a young age. This means that parents
and teacher both have an impact on the way a student grows. Therefore, teachers and
families must work hand in hand to make sure the appropriate actions are being taken to
lead a child to success. Especially in elementary education, it is critical that families are
involved in their kids’ lives.
Competency 012:
The teacher enhances professional knowledge and skills by effectively interacting with other
members of the educational community and participating in various types of professional
activities.
This competency is very important to me because I would have never wanted to become
a teacher without the help of my teachers. Many people would be surprised how much
they can learn from other teachers, but the knowledge, skills, and material you can
receive from other teachers is truly limitless. Teachers helping teacher is what helps
create more great teachers.
Competency 013:
The teacher understands and adheres to legal and ethical requirements for educators and is
knowledgeable of the structure of education in Texas.
The laws for education are extremely regulated. This is required because the things that
children experience will impact them for the rest of their life. It is our job as teachers to
do everything in our power to make sure that the kids have a good childhood to lead them
into great adulthood.