Professional Portfolio

Ohio Standards for the Teaching Profession

Standard 5: Learning Environment - Teachers create learning environments that promote high levels of
learning and achievement for all students.
Teachers treat all students fairly and establish an environment that is respectful, supportive and caring.
Teachers create an environment that is physically and emotionally safe.
Teachers motivate students to work productively and assume responsibility for their own learning.
Teachers create learning situations in which students work independently, collaboratively and/or as a
class.
Teachers maintain an environment that is conducive to learning for all students.

Directions: Include an Entry Form for each artifact and respond to the following prompts.
Question 1: What is the artifact? Identify the artifact (case study, PowerPoint presentation, field evaluation,
lesson plan, unit, video, literature review, or other) and give a brief narrative description.
The artifact chosen for standard five was petition wrote by one of the students I had during student teaching.
This student wrote a letter to the middle school and high school principal asking them to give me a job at
Salem City Schools. The letter goes on to say how much they enjoyed my time in the classroom and how
they had fun while learning. That student then had several classmates sign the document, and then it was
given to the middle school principal.
Question 2: How does the artifact relate to the OSTP standard? Use language of the standard to explain how
it relates.
While this artifact does not directly show that I created a learning environment that promoted high level of
learning and achievement, it does show that the learning environment that I created had an impact on several
of the students I had in class. Based on the content of the letter, you can tell that I treated students fairly and
established an environment that was respectful, supportive, and caring. The letter states that they have
during the lessons, but are still learning the objectives and content. That is proof of an environment that is
conductive for learning that is physically and emotionally safe.
Question 3: What have you learned from the artifact experience that will make you a better teacher in the
future?
This artifact has allowed me to see firsthand the impact that you can have on the lives of your students. As a
teacher, you have an impact on students lives whether you realize it or not. I would never have guessed that
the letter was written by this particular student. I never realized I has such an impact on that student. I have
learned that you need to create an environment that ALL students feel safe and comfortable in to help the
students reach their full potential. Showing an interest in their personal lives and hobbies can go a long way.
Certain conversations, questions about their day, or questions about their extracurricular activities show
them that you genuinely care about them. Also, its important to create an environment where students can
express themselves freely and display their talents and creativity.

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