Standard 2

Rationale: I have included this artifact, Teacher-Made Test, under Standard Two, Learning Differences. I create tests that are mindful of diverse learners, adjusting language or format when necessary to ensure all students can demonstrate their understanding effectively. Standard two states that the teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards. This assignment allowed me to address diverse learning differences in my classroom. I used a mix of visual and auditory parts in my test. Instead of the students having to read the test, it was designed to be read for them and included pictures for multiple-choice questions. 

1. What does this artifact represent about me as a teacher: 

This artifact represents that I am intentional, responsive, and student-centered. By designing my own assessment based on Indiana Standard K.RF.4, I demonstrated my ability to align assessments with learning goals, differentiate for student needs, and use data to inform instruction. It represents my commitment to meeting each learner where they are, understanding how young children learn best, and creating meaningful tools to support their academic journey.

2. How does this artifact reflect my personal growth and strengths as a teacher? 

This artifact demonstrates my personal growth in understanding how to design assessments that are both developmentally appropriate and aligned with academic standards. Creating this teacher-made test pushed me to think deeply about what my students truly need to demonstrate in terms of phonemic awareness and letter-sound recognition. It reflects how I’ve grown in my ability to break down standards (like K.RF.4) and translate them into clear, accessible tasks for young learners. This required not only content knowledge but also an understanding of how young children think, process, and respond.

3. What skills do I want to improve in relationship to this artifact? 

In connection with this artifact, I would like to continue improving my ability to design differentiated, developmentally appropriate assessments that meet the diverse needs of all learners. I also aim to strengthen my skills in analyzing assessment data to inform instruction more effectively, as well as exploring more authentic, play-based approaches to literacy assessment for young children.