Drew Zailik's Educational Portfolio
English Content Expert
A content expert has pedagogical content knowledge, a commitment to intellectualism, and the ability to organize and transfer knowledge.
The Paddle-Out…
Teaching requires more than just passion. Like surfing, it is a hands-on learning experience that takes a little bit of time to really feel comfortable. But there are some early-on essentials that are absolutely necessary for a teacher to succeed. A good teacher must be an expert practitioner; that is, having all the correct pedagogical content knowledge is a must. The teacher must be ready for classroom management organization, and must be familiar with classroom procedures, school policies, and their students. A good surfer wouldn’t paddle out without the essentials: surf wax and a board, but a surfer must also know when to go. The conditions may be dangerous, but with the right knowledge of the ocean, the surfer knows how to respect and appreciate it, so that they can enjoy the powerful waves the ocean has to offer. A good teacher must be aware of the fact that he or she is part of a bigger picture, and while they can try to change the lives of the students, they are part of an amazing profession that involves taking risks while also being aware of the limitations.
Catching a Wave…
Good teaching should be student-centered. The teacher should be the ‘guide on the side’ rather than the old-fashioned ‘sage on the stage.’ Teachers need to know how to make their students understand the importance of learning, working together, and self discovery. They have to find out how to do that. They need to make students’ learning concrete; the students need to be able to relate, to become a part of the text they are reading. Teachers need to choose how they are going to accomplish this; the choice is their own. A surfer will carefully choose a wave. That wave will become important to them. Like a wave, a student must be “caught,” that is, they must be engaged and interactive from day one of the school year. The surfer becomes a part of that wave and the teacher essentially becomes a part of that student. A mutual respect, understanding, and appreciation for one another must be created. A good teacher would try to catch every student, the same that a good surfer would catch every wave.
The following demonstrates how I am a Content Expert in the Field of Secondary English.
English Major GPA: 3.6
Academic Dean's List for Fall of 2006
I have a complete understanding of the psychological aspect of teaching. Check out my hypothetical teaching "journal" which chronicles the life of a teacher who employs all of the principles an expert practicioner should use, from the principles of Vygotsky, to the ideas behind student motivation, to setting student expectations, and to adapting to all types of different learning styles.
Here, I explore a few different school websites and try to examine whether Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences is used effectively. I also analyze the use of the theory in the classroom.
Please view the "Professional Competencies" Page for more specific information on my content expertise.
© Drew D. Zailik 2007