UNIT One
Effective teachers understand the concept of ________ . This is where teachers provide instruction based on the needs of each learner.
Differentiation
Fear of failure can be addressed by engaging in a frank, honest discussion with your team or partner.
True
When a student confides in you regarding possible child abuses, which of the following are appropriate responses?
Do not tell anyone who does not need to know about the abuse. Respect the child's privacy. If people learn of the abuse who need not know, the investigation may be mitigated and the child may be placed at unnecessary, risk.
What is one thing teachers do not need to have good communication?
Make good groups in the classroom.
Which of the following is considered 'confidential' information regarding students? Mark all that apply.
Discipline information Grade information Attendance information Health information
Great teachers can respond to inappropriate behavior without doing which of the following?
Escalating the situation
The State Board of Education is tasked with overseeing what aspects of education? Mark all that apply.
Establishing graduation requirements Overseeing the Permanent School Fund Setting curriculum standards
Managing time and materials is
Considered part of your yearly evaluation
In classroom management, is key or students will learn that you don't mean what you say
Consistency
School principals should do all of the following: (Mark all that apply.)
Create a plan that is shared by the faculty Promote leadership roles within the faculty Provide professional development
What are reasons that some parents disengage from the school? (Mark all that apply)
Criminal records or immigration status, Lack of formal education or language barrier, Lack of time or resources
Recent studies show which of the following as being the most effective form of professional development?
Dialogue that takes places in face to face presentations
Developing activities and programs that help parents better themselves can help do all EXCEPT which of the following?
Give parents the skills to take primary responsibility for content instruction.
Districts can help formulate co-teaching partnerships by:
Give teachers a teaching style inventory to determine the best match
Your supervisor instructs you to change the due date on the research paper, because it conflicts with a large school wide event. You:
Give the students 3-day extension on the due date
What is the best way to ensure a smoother interview process?
Research the district or school ahead of time
It is important to find ways to utilize parents in a way that presents them as .
Role models
The entity directly responsible for overseeing teacher certification is
SBEC
James has been contacted by the Human Resources Department of a Texas School District and invited to come in for a brief interview. What type of interview will James experience?
Screening interview
A student has behaved inappropriately in your classroom. You know his parent can be defensive and takes the student's side in such situations. You:
Send a polite note home, and then call and ask the parent if they would be able to come to school for a discussion
When a male teacher dresses regularly in blue jeans and t-shirts or an untrimmed beard and long hair, it sends the message that:
Sends a negative message regarding his dedication and professionalism
Which of the following is an example of what NOT to wear to school?
Shorts on an extra hot day
Examples of remaining within appropriate boundaries include:
Showing a few pictures of vacation with your family in Florida
Which would be the best example of a positive relationship with a paraprofessional classroom assistant?
Spend some time each morning reviewing the plan for the day
The research on parent involvement indicates that the earlier in a child's educational process that parent involvement begins,
The more powerful the effects will be.
As a new teacher, you want to use a chapter from a textbook in another state. You know there might be copyright issues. Who should you go to seek information?
The school librarian
Flirting in the workplace with coworkers can lead to ethical issues such as:
Unequal treatment allegations, Uncomfortable work environment, Sexual harassment allegations
Many parents feel that what they may have to offer is unimportant and unappreciated. They have reported that they feel .
Unwelcome at school
Before making any decision or attempting to bring about any change, great teachers ask themselves one central question. Which of the following is that question?
What will the best people think
It is important for parents to have engagement in the classroom.
Meaningful
Which would be an indication of a teacher who is emotionally ready to teach?
Compartmentalizing work and home
Several studies indicate that teachers need______ to reach optimal effectiveness.
3 to 5 years
Candidates must complete _______ of course work to meet the requirements of Texas Teachers.
300 hours
Which of the following is the most appropriate attire for a woman going to a job fair?
A dress, A pink jacket, Slacks
Learning teams or communities are which of the following?
A group of teachers and school leaders who work to analyze student performance data and develop strategies to address any achievement gaps
Read each scenario and identify the standard being violated, if any.
A neighbor mentions she heard that the assistant principal at your school was being reassigned, due to an inappropriate relationship with another teacher at your school. You can tell she is begging for gossip, and you know that being a school insider carries some weight in your neighborhood. You swear her to secrecy and tell her what you know. - "Standard 2.1" Mr. Garza does not like the new reading program his principal insists on using. His kids are not performing well, and he blames the new program. When asked by parents, Mr. Garza tells them he doesn't like the program and wonders aloud if the principal got a kick-back on the purchase of the program. - "Standard 2.2" Ms. Zoe is a committed environmental activist and very vocal about her political views. She has attempted to start an environmental awareness club at school. The principal of the school does not agree with Ms. Zoe's views and refuses to allow the club, although other groups have been forming clubs. Additionally, both parents and students are eager for the club. - "Standard 2.4" The principal's wife is running for city council and the principal offers the best room assignments to those teachers willing to campaign for his wife. - "Standard 2.6"
One of the chief expectations of a teacher is to arrive on time for work. This is considered
A strong work ethic, Part of being dependable and reliable, A characteristic of being responsible
Which of the following would be beneficial components for an elementary school open house? (Mark all that apply)
A video of you and your students to show the parents a day in the life of a student, A Moviemaker movie of your class with a slide created by each student. They can use text boxes with adjectives that describe them and a digital picture of themselves that loops continuously while you visit with parents
If you don't know something about the subject area you are expected to teach, the best thing to do is:
Accept and admit that you do not know about everything
Effective teachers teach ________. They move about the classroom and engage with students
Actively
The Special Educator's role in the classroom is:
Adapting and revising the curriculum
At the start of a semester, a secondary teacher might send out:
An approximately ¾ page letter to parents introducing him/herself and giving contact information and instructions for accessing the class website
Which of the following would be beneficial components for a junior high or high school open house?(Mark all that apply)
An overview of your class syllabus, A link to your class' Canvas (class information) account, Information regarding your tutorial days and times
If an angry parent emails and requests a meeting with you face-to-face:
Arrange a meeting at your earliest convenience and at a time that works well for the parent
When students don't learn, great teachers do which of the following?
Ask themselves why the student didn't learn
Which would be the BEST way to discuss a curriculum strategy issue that another teacher has proposed? You have tried the strategy before and absolutely do not agree with its use in this lesson
Ask why the team member thinks that strategy is better than the one you have proposed so that you can understand why he/she wants to use it
The use of sarcasm, which can be perceived as funny or witty, should be used:
At no time in the classroom and/or with students of any age
How can a teacher accomplish professional development during the school year?
Attend conferences, webinar programs, programs through regional service centers, etc.
Effective teachers show a good in their tone of voice, facial expressions and choice of words.
Attitude
Which skills are needed for good communication?
Be a good listener Use verbal and nonverbal skills keep stress out of the situation
Which of the following are eligibility requirements for an Intern Certificate? (Select all that apply)
Be accepted into an Alternative Certification Program (ACP), Complete your pre-service requirements, Pass a content area test, Have at least a Bachelor's degree with a transcript that indicates the date conferred
If a teacher starts class with a quote from the Bible every day, they are:
Breaking the law
The two phases of training are called: (Mark all that apply.)
Classroom Readiness Training, Excellence in Teaching and Learning
If your supervisor asks you to change a student's grade so that the student can be eligible to participate in this week's athletic events, you should:
Calmly explain your concerns to the administrator about the request
After reading about programs that promote parental involvement, which of the following are accurate statements?
Cyber-bullying increases the severity of such offenses since the bully is able to hide behind a façade; thus parents must be vigilant regarding their children's technology use.
When a student confides in you regarding possible child abuses, which of the following are appropriate responses? (Choose all that apply)
Do not impose your personal values on the child. For example, it is important to bear in mind that poverty does not equal abuse. Let the child know that you are under legal obligation to report child abuse and that you cannot legally keep such information confidential.
Using a red pen and "X"ing all of the grammatical errors in a written response on a science quiz:
Does not tell a student what error is or how to correct it
When you jump to the highest supervisor without going through the "chain of command" you are doing all BUT which of the following:
Doing what is right
A quality parental engagement plan does which of the following?
Emphasizes the richness of the community and contributions that can be made.
Mrs. Jones is a sixth grade teacher who tutors Lily after school. One evening, Mrs. Jones needed to pick up her own children or be charged a late fee at the day care, but Lily's mom had not yet arrived to pick her up. Lily told Mrs. Jones she would walk home, even though it was dark and she would have to cross a freeway. Without contacting Lily's parent, Mrs. Jones agrees to allow Lily to do this. Which of the following terms might Mrs. Jones be guilty of, according to the Code of Ethics?
Endanger
The students and the parents of a graduating class purchased a cruise valued at over $1,500 for the assistant principal to show appreciation for working with them for four years. Since the entire class participated in the purchase of the gift of appreciation, and because the class graduated and did not stand to benefit from this, the assistant principal kept the gift. The assistant principal violated the code of ethics.
False
When speaking to someone, it is not important to remain calm and speak concisely.
False
Most of the members of the SBEC are elected in a statewide election. Is this true or false, and why?
False. The SBEC is comprised of members appointed by the governor.
The superintendent of schools must approve the hiring of teachers in a school district. Is this statement true or false, and why?
False. The superintendent recommends individuals for hiring to the school board, who then approves or disapproves.
To help with the transition to the classroom, Texas Teachers will assign a ____________ to support you in the classroom. This person will observe your teaching and provide feedback to help you be successful.
Field supervisor
Remind 101 is:
Free one-way text messaging without exchange of phone numbers
An example of positive relationships with your grade level team or department is:
Help each other out with encouragement during tough issues, Compromise over strategies or materials, Talk calmly and openly with each other
Professional school personnel sometimes treat bus drivers and custodians disrespectfully. Why is this the case?
If this is happening, it is wrong. It is everyone's responsibility to work together for the good of the students and the school
For each definition presented, find the correct legal terminology as defined by the Code of Ethics.
Includes mental and emotional injury - "Abuse" Exposure of a student or minor to unjustified risk of injury - "Endanger" Not having committed crimes relating directly to the duties and responsibilities of an educator -"Good moral Character" When it is the educator's conscious objective to engage in the conduct or cause the result - "Intentionally" When the educator is aware of the nature of the conduct or that the circumstances exist - "Knowledge" Dishonesty, fraud, deceit, theft, misrepresentation, deliberate violence, base, vile or depraved acts - "Moral turpitude"
Research shows that new teachers who receive _____ and ____ have a significant effect on student achievement after as little as two years.
Intensive Monitoring and Professional Development
Which of the following is an advantage of online professional development?
It allows professional development to take place at times convenient to the teacher
Being organized with documents and information before parents arrive for a conference is important for the teacher because:
It prevents wasting time looking for information, It sends a message that the teacher is organized and professional, It helps the parent understand that the teacher cares enough about the student to be prepared
Kyle is applying for a position with a Texas School District. He recalls that eleven years ago he was arrested for disorderly conduct while at a concert when he was eighteen. He is hesitant to disclose this on his application for fear the district will not approve him for the applicant pool. What should Kyle do?
Kyle should disclose this offense on the application and provide an explanation either in the designated section or in an attached letter.
According to the article from TeamWorkDefinition, which of the following are reasons teams fail? (Select all that apply.)
Lack of leadership Lack of defined goals
With support from mentors and professional development opportunities, most novice teachers do which of the following?
Learn more effective practices that they can apply
Groups of teachers and school leaders who work together to analyze school performance data and determine strategies to address instructional gaps are called which of the following?
Learning teams or communities
Tamara lives near a school where her children attend. She regularly volunteers at the school and is hopeful to get a job there. What are some steps that Tamara might take to obtain employment at the school?
Let the school secretary know that she is in enrolled in a certification program and is completing training for certification, Write a note to the principal to let her know Tamara is in training and would be interested in discussing a position, Apply on the school district webs
If you do not have any formal teaching experience, what should you put on your résumé under the "Education Related Experiences" section?
List any activities where you have supervised students
If your supervisor calls you in to the office because he/she is receiving complaints about the amount of time that you have given for a research paper that is due, you should
Listen to the concerns before reacting
The very best teachers will focus on the curriculum and which of the following?
Making learning engaging and exciting
It is the first week of school, and you have noticed one of your second graders continues to engage in profound infractions in the classroom. You remember that when you attempted to send your welcome email, this child's parents' emails were undeliverable, and the phone had been disconnected; thus all of your attempts to contact parents have resulted in no contact. What is the best thing you can do to remedy the situation?
Meet with an administrator to find out what can be done to contact parents.
A teacher who had been teaching for more than 20 years was pulled over after a happy hour and charged with DUI. According to the definitions from the Code of Ethics, which term might describe this behavior?
Moral Turpitude
Read each scenario and determine what, if any, standards have been violated. If there is no violation, select No Violation.
Mr. Stevens tapes a student's hands to a desk so he can learn to keep his hands to himself. - "Standard 3.2" Mrs. Martinez posts student grades in the hallway beside their name. - "Standard 3.1" Mr. Evans fudges the six weeks grades of two student athletes so they can participate in UIL. - "Standard 3.3" The jogging club refuses a wheelchair bound student membership in the club since space is limited and the student is in a wheelchair. - "Standard 3.4" Coach Lawson makes tardy students run extra laps in PE to teach them not to be late. - "Standard 3.5 Ms. Watson is dating a senior from another high school in her district. - "Standard 3.6" Mr. Sampson routinely allows his students to come to his house to study. - "Standard 3.8" Mr. Austin engages in sexting with one of the students in his high school. - "Standard 3.9"
Communication with parents can include the following:
Newsletters, Phone calls, Emails or web page postings
Which of the following is NOT an appropriate form of parental involvement in a child's education? (Mark all that apply)
Parents participating in writing lesson plans for their child's courses, Parents grading assignments in order to maximize the teacher's instructional time
Nikki is a new intern at West High School. She is 22 years old, and has been asked out on a date with one of her senior students. He is 19, and will be graduating in just a few months. Since the student is 19, is it okay for Nikki to accept the date?
No, even though the student is legally an adult, since he is still in high school, the teacher is forbidden to date him.
Mr. Johnson is a senior English teacher at Texas High School. Just before school starts, he gets into a 'road rage' incident on his way to school. He pulls his vehicle up beside the other vehicle, runs the driver onto the shoulder of the road, and makes a 'gun' gesture with his hand toward the other driver before driving off. The other driver was an off-duty police officer who ran his license plate and found out where Mr. Johnson taught. Mr. Johnson was arrested at school later that day for reckless endangerment. Must Mr. Johnson's superintendent report this to SBEC?
No, while Mr. Johnson's behavior was questionable, it does not meet one of the five criteria for superintendent reporting.
How can something be fair but not equal? (Mark all that apply)
Not all students have the same academic or social foundation, and therefore, in order to ensure a "level playing field," different actions are needed for different students, Individual student's needs are different and should be assessed to determine the right course of action for each individual student.
Implementation dialogue is not possible in which of the following forms of professional development, hindering its effectiveness?
Online
Classroom management is highly dependent upon . Effective teachers establish routines to keep the class on track
Organization
Effective teachers ________ instruction. For example, good teachers know when students are getting restless and that it is time to change the activity or move onto another topic.
Pace
Principal Rodriguez is planning on interviewing Mike for an open science position in her building. She thinks it would be a good idea to include the Science Department chair, the curriculum principal, and one of the strongest science teachers in the interview. What type of interview will Mike experience?
Panel interview
Which of the following would high-achieving students likely report as contributing to the success they achieve? (Mark all that apply)
Parents prioritize attending children's curricular and extra-curricular events, Parents regularly communicate with school personnel
To be an effective teacher you must have an understanding of both your content and which of the following?
Pedagogy, or how to teach it
Great teachers know that it is the ________ that determine the quality of a school.
People
It is important to behave appropriately in public at all times because:
People will pass judgement regardless of whether it affects your teaching or not.
Which of the following are disciplinary actions SBEC can take against an educator? Select all who apply.
Place restrictions on the renewal of a certificate Issue an inscribed reprimand Suspend the certificate Require the withdrawal of a person from their educator preparation program
Parent involvement in the educational process is related to student achievement.
Positively
Teachers must possess integrity in order to gain and maintain the respect of their students in order to ensure that they are receptive to instruction. Which of the following is a good example of a teacher displaying integrity?
Practicing what they preach in terms of discipline practices in the classroom
_____ should be authentic, specific, immediate, clean, and private
Praise
The process of improving staff skills and competencies needed to produce outstanding educational results for students is called which of the following?
Professional Development
Instructionally, there may be no more effective technique than the appropriate use of ________ in the classroom
Questioning
When things don't work out the way they envisioned, great teachers do which of the following?
Reflect and adjust their plans accordingly
Which of the following describe a standard or standards related to ethical conduct toward professional colleagues? Select all that apply.
Refraining from knowingly making false statements about colleagues Not revealing confidential information Keeping your feelings about a colleague to yourself when interacting with your neighbors
Great teachers work hard to keep their ______ in good repair, to avoid personal hurt and to repair any possible damage.
Relationship
Educators who do not take advantage of professional development opportunities will see which of the following happen?
Student learning will suffer since they are not staying current
Integrity is important in a teacher so that:
Students know that you care enough to challenge them to do better
Professional communication from teachers is important to which of the following:
Students, Campus and district staff, Parents
Teachers who hold high expectations for learning also build _________________ into their classroom. They understand that the material should challenge students but that they should ultimately master the material.
Success
John is going to a job fair in his area. What is the most appropriate attire for John?
Suit and tie
Peers at school can:
Support you professionally and emotionally, Be your sounding board when dealing with student discipline problems, Provide lesson plan support when something you are trying is not working
Which of the following are contract types for teachers in Texas? Mark all that apply.
Term Probationary Continuing
Read each situation and determine the standard being violated. If no standard is violated, select No Violation.
The English teacher keeps the cash generated by the vocabulary books, in case she needs to buy supplies - "Standard 1.2" Ms. Stephens uses up all her sick days in the first two months of school, while working at a second job. She then applies to the district's sick pool to have access to other days - "Standard 1.3" Mr. Jones' wife is running for city council. Mr. Jones offers free homework passes to any student who campaigns for his wife - "Standard 1.4" The volleyball coach agrees to give the science teacher's daughter more playing time in exchange for changing other athletes' grades - "Standard 1.5" A new reading teacher has moved to the district and disagrees with the reading program adopted by the district. She refuses to use the program - "Standard 1.7"
Which of the following statements are included in the statement of purpose? Select all that apply.
The Texas educator shall comply with standard practices and ethical conduct toward students. The Texas educator shall measure success by the progress of each student. The Texas educator shall extend just and equitable treatment to all members of the profession. The Texas educator shall act in congruence with the legal requirements of the state.
From the MTSS, which staff member would be responsible for providing students with a physical environment that is optimal for learning?
The custodian
From the MTSS, which staff member would be responsible for testing and diagnosing students with learning disabilities?
The educational diagnostician
A positive and pleasant classroom is the result of which of the following?
The teacher's attitude
Parents of disadvantaged and minority children can and do make a positive contribution to their children's achievement in school if which of the following occurs?
They receive appropriate training and encouragement
Secondary teachers generally hold conferences:
To get the parent to work with them as a "team" member, To help a student socially, academically, or emotionally, At a parent's request
When a student misbehaves, great teachers have which of the following as their goal?
To keep the behavior from happening again
The importance of not dressing too casual, such as wearing a sweatshirt and flip-flops is: (Mark all that apply)
To take yourself seriously and to be taken seriously by students, When teachers dress professionally, they act professionally and are treated as such, To remember that you are a role model no matter where you are
A person can use negative communication if both people in the partnership have trust in each other.
True
Probationary contracts may continue on an annual basis for a minimum of three years and a maximum of four years. Is this true or false?
True
School principals should be involved with the planning and preparation of the professional development of their staff.
True
Communication with parents should be direct and should clearly tell parents what you are doing. It should also do which of the following?
Use multiple modalities and create a path for parents to communicate with you
Which of the following is NOT an appropriate question for a candidate to ask at the conclusion of an interview?
What is the pay scale and benefits for this position?
Not what you say, but HOW you say it is important because.... (Mark all that apply.)
Words without emotions show a lack of intent, Positive feedback with inflection will give your words maximum impact
Which of the following is a best practice following an interview or prescreening at a job fair?
Write a handwritten thank-you note to the principal or interviewer
Which is the best example of verbal feedback when asking for a response?
You are correct because you have given us three examples that show
Teachers are the most important element in the drive to raise academic standards and increase public confidence in K-12 schools. This is important because:
You can raise standards for students and youth, but if you don't have good teachers in place, you won't make progress
You find out that one of your coworkers is discussing other teachers negatively in front of his students. This is a teacher with whom you have had a good working relationship. What should you do?
You should take the teacher aside and tell him what you have heard and ask if it is accurate
Once you have secured a teaching position and have notified Texas Teachers of your new job, who will monitor your progress throughout your first year?
Your professional coach
Read the descriptions of the actions below. Classify each action as either a behavior, a crime related to the duties and responsibilities of an educator, or neither. Group of answer choices
ehaviorAllowing seniors to have beer at an overnight debate tournament - "Crime" Hitting a student - "Crime" Sharing pain killers with students - "Crime" Using the school computer to run your real estate business - "Crime" Posting racial slurs on social media - "Behavior" Quitting your job in October without an agreement from the district - "Behavior" Failure to report child abuse within 48 hours - "Behavior" Posting engagement photos on social media - "Neither" Using your personal vehicle to take a student home with parent permission - "Neither" Using student book fees to purchase pizza - "Crime"
All of the following are parts of a well written résumé except
letters of recommendation
