A. What steps will you take during the first few days/weeks of school to orient…

Scenario: You have recently been hired to teach at a New York City public school. Prior to your first day of school, you receive some background on your new class. Reviewing the information you see that roughly 30% of your expected students are currently performing below grade level.

A. What steps will you take during the first few days/weeks of school to orient yourself to the needs and context of your students and to familiarize yourself to the school community (e.g. co-workers, administration/principal, parents, etc.)?

B. Describe your end of academic year goals for your students. What do you hope they will be able to achieve? How will you know if you are successful? How might you adjust your goals and strategies to meet the needs of learners below grade level or learners with other special academic needs?

C. What specific strategies or next steps would you pursue if your instructional efforts are not yielding your expected results by the first-half of the school year?

SAMPLE SOLUTION

Teaching can be challenging, especially when dealing with students who perform below grade level. However, strategies must be put in place to ensure that all students improve their performance or, better still, achieve the standards similar to their peers. Consequently, educators must modify their instructional methods and adjust their assessments to reflect the student’s abilities. This task looks at a personal teaching experience for a New York Public School whose 30% of the students perform below their grade level.

Steps to take during the first days/ weeks of school In the first few weeks, I will get used to the students in the class by communicating with them to know each other. This will ease their anxiety when I start official teaching. I will also meet teachers who handle the students to have a clear picture of the student’s strengths and deficiencies. Besides, this will allow me to understand the individual students’ needs even before I meet them for a more interactive session. If possible, I will also meet the parents to gather as much information…