Grace Fairman
Explore Grace Fairman's Educational PortfolioÂ
Special education teacher
Standard 5:
Professional Responsibilities for School and Community
Function 5A:
School Mission
The teacher works collaboratively with the principal and colleagues to develop and
support the school mission.
Function 5B: School-wide Activities
The teacher participates in the
development and implementation of
school-wide initiatives in curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
Function 5C: Learner- Centered Culture
The teacher participates in activities and models behaviors that build and sustain a learner-centered culture.
Function 5D: Student Support Systems
The teacher works collaboratively with the principal and colleagues to develop and sustain
student support systems that enable learning to occur.
​
Function 5E: Student Management Systems
The teacher works collaboratively with the school principal, colleagues, and students to
develop and sustain management systems that support and extend learning.
Function 5F: School, Family and Community Connections
The teacher works collaboratively with the principal, colleagues, parents, students and the community to develop and sustain school activities that make meaningful connections between the school and families and the community.
Function 5G: Strategic Planning/Continuous Improvement
The teacher participates in the development and implementation of the school’s strategic planning and continuous improvement.
Function 5H:
Teacher Leadership
The teacher demonstrates leadership by implementing classroom and school initiatives that improve education as well as by making positive changes in policy and practice that affect student learning.
Function 5I:
Ethical Standards
The teacher models the ethical standards expected for the profession in the learning environment and in the community.
Pieces of Evidence:
Function 5A:
School Mission
I included the student handbook from Wheeling Park High School. During my second placement, my cooperating teacher and school staff reviewed the handbook with me, which helped me understand the school’s expectations, policies, and overall mission. This prepared me early on by giving me a clear understanding of my role and what was expected of me in the classroom. Being familiar with the handbook allowed me to stay consistent with school procedures and better support students, which positively impacted my student teaching experience.
​
​
Function 5B: School-wide Activities
I had the opportunity to participate in a professional learning day where I sat in on a school-wide faculty senate. Being part of this process allowed me to learn about enrollment, disipline, ongoing activties in the departments. This experience supports the teacher’s role in contributing to the development and implementation of initiatives that impact the entire school community.
Helping plan the field trip and creating an agenda demonstrates that I have mastered this skill by showing my ability to  design a learner-centered experience. The agenda reflects that the trip was purposeful, with clear goals focused on developing students’ social skills, such as ordering from a menu.  I contributed to organizing a meaningful activity which  shows that I can actively participate and model activities that build a learner-centered culture.Â
Function 5D: Student Support Systems
I was involved in discussions about adjusting transportation for a student who was injured and required a wheelchair-accessible bus. By working with the principal and other staff to determine the appropriate bus and route, I helped ensure the student could safely and consistently attend school. This collaboration demonstrates how teachers work together to develop and support systems that meet student needs and allow learning to continue without interruption.
Function 5E: Student Management Systems
During my first placement, some students required behavior charts, and I was involved in discussions about whether one student in particular would benefit from having one on his first day. By collaborating with my co-teacher and support staff, we were able to determine the best support for his needs. This demonstrates how the teacher works collaboratively with others to develop and maintain systems that support and extend student learning.
The document I have provided is a reflection showing I effectively implemented this behavior chart and had a good student mamegment system. Documented in the comment section of the reflection.
​
week on Janurary 26. Week 3.Â
Function 5F: School, Family and Community Connections
I was a part of multiple IEP meetings where I collaborated with teachers, parents, and other school staff to discuss student goals and supports. These meetings helped build strong communication between the school and families, ensuring that everyone was working together to support the student’s success. This demonstrates how the teacher collaborates with others to create meaningful connections between the school, families, and the community.
Function 5G:
Strategic Planning/Continuous Improvement
Each week, my co-teacher and I sit down to collaboratively plan our lessons for the upcoming week. This dedicated time allows us to dicuss what we our teaching, build on the previous week’s instruction, and make improvements to enhance student learning. Through this ongoing collaboration, we support continuous professional growth and actively contribute to the school’s strategic planning and continuous improvement initiatives.
​
Time is also set aside to dicuss any challegnes that have came up in the week. This allows us to get on the same page as to how we will overcome other challenges to continue improvement in the classroom.Â
Function 5C: Learner-Centered Culture
A letter of recommendation from my co-teacher, Mrs. Kuca, supports this standard by providing a firsthand account of my leadership within the classroom. Through working closely with me, she was able to see how I took initiative in planning lessons, supporting students, and contributing to classroom decisions that improved student learning. Her perspective highlights my ability to step into a leadership role, collaborate effectively, and make positive changes in daily practices that benefit students. This personal recommendation shows that my efforts had a meaningful impact on the classroom environment and overall student success.
Function 5H:
Teacher Leadership
An evaluation from Dr. Hillary Sayre supports this standard by providing professional feedback on how I demonstrate ethical behavior in the classroom and school community. Through her observations, she was able to assess how I interact with students, maintain professionalism, and follow school policies. This evaluation shows that I model respect, responsibility, and appropriate conduct, reflecting the ethical standards expected of a teacher both in the learning environment and beyond.
​
Page 9, optional comments section.Â
Â
"She connects and communicates with students well, Grace will make a good special education teacher".Â