Standard 2: Learning Differences
The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
http://www.htsb.org/standards/teacher/
Indicator 2H: The teacher understands students with exceptional needs, including those associated with disabilities and giftedness, and knows how to use strategies and resources to address these needs.
This a picture of 2 examples of resources (Spectrum Math and Common Core Mathematics) used in my Special Education classroom that help students reach the standards as many students are at many different levels. These resources give strategies to teaching many different math concepts to students with special needs and also give worksheets for different topic at 3 different levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced). This helps meet student's individual needs as they are all on different levels and work at different paces. During one lesson in particular, I worked with one student off to the side for more direct instruction, and gave the other students worksheets on the topic from these books. Each worksheet was individualized for the student. One worksheet had more visuals, another worksheet had more examples, and another worksheet had more independent practice. This helped me to use different resources to reach their individual needs.
Indicator 2K: The teacher knows how to access information about the values of diverse cultures and communities and how to incorporate learners' experiences, cultures, and community resources into instruction.
Every other Thursday a kupuna, an elderly woman, from the community comes to visit the class and teaches them more about the Hawaiian culture. In this photo, she is teaching the students hula. For this lesson, the kupuna came right after I had given a social studies lesson on Hawaii traditions, in specific, the hula. This enhances the students' learning experiences as they put work to action and learn more about the Hawaiian culture but not only reading and hearing about it, but also by participating in one of their biggest traditions, dance. This helps students understand more about the culture and traditions of the community they live in and of their peers' culture.
Indicator 2N: The teacher makes learners feel valued and helps them learn to value each other.
This is a document of a "Choose Kind" Pledge that I incorporated during one of my lessons. Students were able to sign this pledge in my special education classroom. We did a unit on the novel Wonder by RJ Palacio which helped students to see the value of being kind to everyone. Every student in my classroom joined thousands of other students by signing the pledge to choose kind in any situation. This helps students see the importance and value of others and of themselves no matter what situation they find themselves in and helped them to become better people.
Indicator 2O: The teacher values diverse languages and dialects and seeks to integrate them into his/her instructional practice to engage students in learning.
This picture shows a lesson plan I broke down words to meet the language differences in the classroom. For this lesson on perimeter, I broke the word "perimeter" into two parts: peri- and -meter. I explained where each word part came from, their origin, and what they mean. Breaking down the word allowed students to understand its full meaning by understanding its language's origin. This helps students understand other languages better and helps them to be more engaged in the learning process.