Emily Costley

EDUC 106
Prof. Baxter
September 18 2014
Writing Assignment #2
While the InTASC standards are frightening as a whole, I believe the easiest one for
myself would be the Professional Learning and Ethical Practice standard. Im constantly
looking back at situations and wondering what I couldve done differently so that the next time
Im in a similar situation, I wont make the same mistake twice. Im always looking for
something new to learn or something new to try, so I dont think this standard will be an issue. I
have a very curious tendency, and, when paired with my persistence, I seek out the unknown to
make it become the familiar.
On another hand, Im terrified of the standard involving learning environments and the
effects it could have on my students. Im mainly worried that I wont be able to satisfy all of the
different types of learners, or that I might not even know how to properly serve one particular
student who requires such a unique learning environment, and, a result, they suffer. Its mainly
the issue of the various learning environments that will be required in one classroom, and, with
everyone being so unique, how can you serve everyone with the attention they rightfully require
and deserve? Ideally, I want to be able to serve every one of my students with a quality,
individualized education with the appropriate knowledge and understanding expected of them
and beyond. However, I know this probably wont be the case and that frustrates me.
The number one issue that concerns me about becoming a teacher is the fact that I wont
be able to teach freely in my classroom due to the scripted Common Core. I used to consider
working with younger children, inspired by the idea of learning through play based and real life
activities with minimal lecturing. With the Common Core and new educational standards, I dont

feel like this an option anymore. I dont want to young children just starting their education to
think of my classroom as a place they dont want to be because they cant be what they are:
children. The idea of having a script and making pre-K students do homework baffles me.
Theyre children, not robots. This also leads into what Im most excited for: the children. I cant
wait for the moment when former students are able to come back to me and assure me they
turned out to be all right, despite the corruption in education. Im incredibly excited for that
moment when I know Ive done my job and when Ive finally received that confirmation that Im
doing the right thing and that these children had a positive experience in their education. Just to
make a difference in one childs life is all I require, but I know Ill have the opportunity to do
much more, and thats what I intend to do.