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Teacher Performance Expectations #2:
Creating and Maintaining Effective Environments

Create learning environments (i.e., traditional, blended, and online) that promote productive student learning, encourage positive interactions among students, reflect diversity and multiple perspectives, and are culturally responsive.

Creating an Effective Classroom Environment through Structure
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Artifact 2.1 - Creating Structure through Classroom Design
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Artifact 2.2 - U of R Socially Distanced Classroom Design

I chose Artifact 2.1 to demonstrate how we can create inclusive learning environments that promote productive learning and structure through Classroom Design.  The physical layout of a classroom also encourages positive student-student and teacher-student interactions. Another benefit is how UDL also creates the path for smooth transitions, which is shown to prevent disruptive behavior. It is helpful to arrange the desks and furniture in the classroom so that students can been seen and monitored at all times.

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Through UDL, I learned that healthy classroom environments enable students to feel safe and it is that safety that invites learning. It is important to create rules for an effective physical classroom structure, such as defining traffic patterns to allow movement without disrupting others and communicating routines, procedures, and norms. One way to achieve this is through organization—label all materials; & organize them to ensure they are easily accessible when needed. 

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Artifact 2.2 was created by Dr. Nicol Howard for the University of Redlands during the pandemic to provide Socially Distanced Classrooms. For more information please visit www.NicholHoward.com

Creating an Inclusive Classroom Environment 
Artifact 2.3 - Creating an Inclusive Classroom Environment
Artifact 2.3 is a Google Slide Presentation created for Black History Month, to highlight and honor the contributions of African Americans to the United States.  Black History Month provides an opportunity for students to gain an understanding of the past and present plight of African Americans. The instructional goal of the lesson was to promote individual responsibility by fostering a caring community where each student is treated fairly and respectfully. Students begin to recognize and address instances of intolerance and harassment among their peers such as racism, bullying, and sexism.
 
This Lesson Plan was structured to support Restorative Justice practices by presenting Google Slides Presentation, Resolution Practices through small group discussions in Breakout Rooms, reflective journal work on the topic of diversity, instances of intolerance, and assessments (Kahoot-It ).
Creating an Effective Classroom through Social Emotional Learning (SL)
Artifact 2.4 is a Padlet assignment from our Teaching Seminar I class. We were tasked with the job of researching ten SEL resources and adding those resources which we felt were important to incorporate into our teaching.  In order to find ten resources that resonate with my learning style, I spent a lot of time on my research and I can to realize that research is a necessary step. Research helps find solutions either to particular problems arising in my classroom or to underpin professional learning of knowledge, skills and understanding that allows me to connect with networks of professional support. This process was a great experience because the data showed me how to incorporate Social Emotional Learning (SEL) practices that I believe in into my teaching.  I chose this artifact because I learned that by focusing on SEL students of all ages, helped me gain a better understanding of their emotions, how they feel emotions, and provide insight on help empathy can help students and future relationships.
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