I believe that the educator is the instructional leader of a classroom and as such is

accountable for the education that occurs within his or her purview and should exhibit the
following traits:

Capable of providing quality instruction

Able to create a positive instructional climate
Capable of differentiating instruction to meet the needs of varying students
Capable of engaging learners
Capable of maximizing the students ability to learn
Able to respond to curriculum initiatives and changes in an effective way
(Acheson and Gall, 2002)

There are specific strategies that every teacher should utilize when looking at facilitating
student learning. Some examples are:

Clearly defined curriculum

Clearly defined goals and expectations for each instructional unit
Utilization of Marzano strategies
Emphasis on using the multiple levels of Blooms taxonomy
Utilizing assessment as a means to map instruction and to monitor
progress
Utilization of appropriate technology tools
Recognition of the diverse needs of learners, focusing on:
o Varied instructional needs
o Making adjustments as necessary per student need

Finally, instructors need to be aware that they themselves as educators are life long
learners. As such, they need to understand that student instructional needs are very
similar to their own needs as learners; namely, respect for individual needs and desire for
success.
I have always taken pride in my efforts to meet the diverse needs of the people I work
with. I have taught kindergarten, first, and second grade. In each of these settings, the
diverse needs of my students necessitated the use of multiple groups based on both ability
and varied skill sets. I have also served as a remedial reading teacher for the past six
years. During this time I have been able to work with a wide range of students and been

responsible for tailoring instruction to meet their needs and assist with their success. I
have also worked with reading committees on a county level that have attempted to meet
the needs of older readers instructional needs.
As a division instructional technologist, I have worked with all levels of students and
teachers. This has required me to work with a wide range of abilities and talents as well
as incredibly diverse backgrounds. I was also one of three division technologists that
developed a technology academy that worked with a diverse group of fifty instructors in
meeting the technology needs of a twenty first century classroom.
I have served as the coordinator of the primary school summer school program for the
past two years. This program has enabled me to coordinate the implementation of a
program that met the instructional needs of 120 students and helped them achieve
academic success.
Finally, I have worked on the school and county level with a wide range of testing
including reading inventories, benchmark, and SOL testing. This work has enabled me to
see the varied instructional needs of the students in my district. It has also helped drive
the future instruction of those self-same students.