1. Reflect
on this verse to answer the following questions:
“And you yourself must be an example to
them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the
integrity and seriousness of your teaching” (English Standard Version,
Titus 2:7).
What is the teacher’s role in guiding their
students’ overall development? How does the teacher’s role vary and change
depending on the age/grade level of students? Does the teacher’s role differ
between the environments for Grades K-5 and 6-8? Provide specific examples in
your discussion.
2. As educators, we are called to teach students
academics, but teaching involves the student as a whole. Educators also guide
and support the student’s social and emotional needs. Provide specific
examples, along with the grade levels, of how a teacher can encourage students
who are dealing with issues related to social or emotional development. Discuss
why the examples are appropriate for that specific grade level.
3. What are cultural and other contextual factors that
can affect a student’s readiness to learn? Provide at least two specific
examples, one cultural factor and one other factor. Explain how these factors
and diverse family systems may affect instructional approaches in the class and
home learning environments.
4.
Why is drawing upon a student’s prior knowledge important? Using this
week’s textbook reading and topic Resources, briefly describe one instructional
strategy for helping students activate prior knowledge and describe how you
will implement it into your classroom.
5. How can teachers support the language
development of students who are English language learners? How can teachers
ensure students are learning while also promoting cultural awareness? Research
and describe 2-3 ways to support language development and cultural awareness in
the classroom.
6. How can a teacher embrace cultural
differences in their class? How can they embrace various worldviews in their
class? How does this affect the way a teacher promotes the Christian worldview?
7. How can you show compassion, care, and
concern for a student who is struggling at reaching their educational goals?
Provide an example of how to encourage and motivate a struggling student.
Remember that their struggle may come from various areas in their life and
education.
8. Discuss the importance of
collaboration between a general education teacher and other school personnel
such as special education teacher, speech therapist, paraprofessional, reading
specialist, maintenance, district language specialist, etc. What is the purpose
of collaboration with other school personnel and how does it benefit students?
Provide a specific example of a collaborative relationship with another school
professional and explain how that relationship would foster community with the
school.
9. As an
educator, you are responsible for fostering a caring classroom environment that
promotes acceptance and understanding of differences in culture, cultural
heritage, ethnicity, language, age, religion, socioeconomic status, gender
identity/expression, sexual orientation, and abilities/disabilities.
Describe how your personal beliefs or biases
might affect the classroom culture and social-emotional well-being of students.
How can educators advocate for their students even when their own biases and
worldviews differ from those in their classroom? Provide one example, with
current research, of how an educator can promote social justice within a
diverse classroom.
Disclaimer: As a reminder, this discussion is
focused on supporting students, not a forum to discuss personal opinions.
Please maintain professionalism in your initial response and responses to
peers.
10. After completing the suicide prevention modules (SPTs)
in the topic Resources, answer the following questions:
How do you handle a situation where a
student confides in you that they are contemplating suicide? They ask you to
keep the conversation confidential. What are your ethical responsibilities as
an educator in this type of situation? What are the proper channels you must
take once the student confides in you?
