Standard 2

Standard 2: Demonstrates competence in content knowledge appropriate to the teaching position.

a. Understands and uses key concepts, underlying themes, relationships, and different perspectives related to the content area. 
Description of Artifact: Iowa School Counselor Association Membership

Data Source: Counselor

Interpretation: As an ISCA member, I have access to new concepts, perspectives, and information as they are presented to the school counseling world. With my membership, I am able to read excellent publications, network with peers, and have access to numerous professional development opportunities. I feel as if ISCA helps me further my mission as a school counselor and encourages me to use best practices on a daily basis.

b. Uses knowledge of student development to make learning experiences in the content area meaningful and accessible for every student. 
Description of Artifact: Math Workshop groups

Data Source: Counselor

Interpretation: During Anderson Elementary's designated math intervention time, I co-taught a small group of Tier 3/intensive 2nd grade students. Breaking the students into these ability groups made our instruction meaningful to them. For those 6 weeks, I used adaptations and appropriate accommodations to meet the students' various skill levels.

c. Relates ideas and information within and across content areas. 
Description of Artifact: E-mail to K & 1st grade teachers

Data Source: Counselor

Interpretation: One way I relate information within and across content areas is by providing teachers with social-emotional tools that they can incorporate into their daily lessons. This artifact illustrates how I shared "My Happy Thought Journal" with the kindergarten and 1st grade teachers, encouraging them to use the thought starters with their students during free writing time.

d. Understands and uses instructional strategies that are appropriate to the content area. 
Description of Artifact: Lesson plan

Data Source: Counselor

Interpretation: This artifact demonstrates how I work to use a variety of instructional strategies to improve student learning. This lesson, titled "My Mouth is a Volcano", starts by me reading a children's book to the class, followed by some content and personalization questions. The students are then given the opportunity to see themselves as the character in the book through the poster/picture portion of the lesson, a very practical/real life skill. Using the camera with the students integrates another tool into the classroom/lesson and the students really enjoy seeing their photos.