Candidates are proficient in the knowledge, dispositions, and skills needed for effective teaching; effective teaching results in successful student learning.

Domain 2

A variety of elements come together in an effective teacher. The effective teacher must have fluency in the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that go to make a successful learning environment. Unless a teacher can master many resources and instructional strategies, student learning will likely be limited. Inherent in teacher knowledge should be the ability to create a positive classroom climate, one that is conducive to learning. A harsh, sterile environment with a stern overlord of a teacher does not equal quality, enthusiastic student performance. The effective teacher also recognizes cultural differences in students, and teaches in a way that respects cultural difference, ultimately using cultural difference as an enrichment to, rather than a barrier against, effective student learning. Along with cultural responsiveness, teachers must also be aware of differences in student ability, and how to differentiate lessons for students with different abilities. Awareness of the classroom, coupled with knowledge of effective strategies, is a recipe for greater student success.

Teaching and student learning seems to be a simple top-down relationship, but teaching is dependent on student learning in many ways. Sometimes, teachers move on to new concepts before the previous ones are fully understood by students. Assuming that learning is dependent on prior knowledge, teaching will quickly become frustrating, and learning will be onerous for students. Teaching must therefore, in many ways, be based on student learning in order for the two to co-exist successfully in the classroom. Other areas where teaching and learning are successful together are community involvement, technology, and problem-solving approaches to learning. All these areas provide opportunities for teaching skills and concepts with great relevance to the real world. Student learning can be much more authentic when teaching incorporates these real-world elements.