Patrick Lynn

Educ 1301
William Smith
April 26, 2016
Competencies of Teaching

In order to teach in the state of Texas you must take a test the TExES, Texas
Examinations of Educator Standards. On this test there are 13 competencies that a
teacher must know. The test is called the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities
it is 5 hours long and 100 multiple choice questions on a computer administered
test.
Competency 007: The teacher understands and applies principles and
strategies for communicating effectively in varied teaching and learning contexts.
This means that a teacher needs to be able to teach in a way that is easy to
understand and be able to interact with students in and effective but fun way that
makes the learning process better and more informative.
Competency 008: The teacher provides appropriate instructions that actively
engages students in the learning process. This competency suggests that a teacher
gives good instructions in teaching that allows the student to understand the task at
hand and provided different methods to accomidated the different learning styles
such as students who are visual, auditory and kinesthetic learners. Also be able to
teach students with different cultural backgrounds and provide them with
instruction that allows them to understand what needs to be accomplished.
Competency 011: The teacher understands the importance of family
involvement in childrens education and know how to interact and communicate

effectively with families. A teacher needs to be informative to not only the student
but to the parents as well. The parents are just as much a part of providing a good
learning environment as the teacher. Therefore, we as teachers to engage the
parents in our classroom activities and keep them informed of whats going on in
class.
Competency 012: The teacher enhances professional knowledge and skills by
effectively interacting with other members of the educational community and
participating in various types of professional activities. Teachers have to work
together in order for a student to succeed in school. Teachers need to be connected
with other teachers around the state by attending conferences and other
professional development resources such as workshops.
Competency 013: The teacher understands and adheres to legal and ethical
requirements for educators and is knowledgeable of the structure of education in
Texas. As a teacher there are certain rules and regulations we have to follow. Such
as the use of appropriate materials in the classroom. Also, provide accurate student
records of how the student is doing in the learning process. The teachers need to
teach the tasks that will be on the state assessments in the subject they teach.
These competencies as well as the several others need to be followed in
order to be a very effective teacher in the field. If a teacher doesnt follow these
competencies the teacher is doing a disservice to not only the student but also to
the other teachers in the state of Texas because it is ineffective to not follow these
competencies.