Artifact #8: DASA Training

My eighth artifact is my DASA Training. I completed this training, and received a certificate, while
studying at Medaille College. The course was in Cultural Competencies as an Emancipatory Pedagogy. The
training focused on harassment, bullying, cyber bullying, and discrimination in schools. This does exist in
every school, between peers, colleagues and administration. It can really impact an individual cognitively,
emotionally and socially. This training is used to alleviate prevention, and develop response skills for
educators to deal with discrimination, and harassment within the classroom.
Why did you include this artifact?
The reason I included this artifact is because the training included important issues that all beginning
teachers should be aware of. Harassment, discrimination, and bullying can happen at any age, and normally
starts, and occurs at school. Often educators do not know that the bullying is taking place because the
students who are doing the bullying do it in places like the bathroom or out on the playground. Cyber
bullying is another form of bullying that is not done face-to-face, but can have detrimental effects. With
students having easy access to the Internet, cyber bullying is more common today than it was in the past. I
feel that this training assisted me better recognize the signs within the classroom, and how to approach these
delicate situations.
How does this artifact show evidence that you are prepared for a career in education?
This artifact shows evidence that I am prepared for a career in education because this training gave me an
understanding of the components of the Dignity for All Students Act. It is an act that is to be taken very
seriously. It has also assisted me to develop a better awareness to the various experiences that impact a
students achievement in behavior within the classroom. I feel now that I have had this training I am better
equipped to deal with harassment, bullying, cyber bullying and discrimination that happen within schools,
and amongst young students. I know what to look for, and will be able to depict early indicators, and
warning signs of victims and aggressors.

What curriculum and professional standards were used?

InTASC: Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium

Standard #9 - Professional Learning and Ethical Practice: The teacher engages in ongoing professional
learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices
and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to
meet the needs of each learner.
(a) The teacher engages in ongoing learning opportunities to develop knowledge and skills in order to
provide all learners with engaging curriculum and learning experiences based on local and state
standards.
(b) The teacher engages in meaningful and appropriate professional learning experiences aligned with
his/her own needs and the needs of the learners, school, and system.
(m) The teacher is committed to deepening understanding of his/her own frames of reference (e.g., culture,
gender, language, abilities, ways of knowing), the potential biases in these frames, and their impact on
expectations for and relationships with learners and their families.
(n) The teacher sees him/herself as a learner, continuously seeking opportunities to draw upon current
education policy and research as sources of analysis and reflection to improve practice.
New York State Code of Ethics for Educators
Principle 3: Educators commit to their own learning in order to develop their practice.
Educators recognize that professional knowledge and development are the foundations of their practice. They
know their subject matter, and they understand how students learn. Educators respect the reciprocal nature of
learning between educators and students. They engage in a variety of individual and collaborative learning
experiences essential to develop professionally and to promote student learning. They draw on and contribute
to various forms of educational research to improve their own practice.