S.-Subject Matter
Teacher candidates have a strong knowledge of the subject matter they will teach and can facilitate the acquisition of that knowledge in their students.
Artifact #1- PRAXIS Test ResultsHow does the PRAXIS score show you are qualified to teach in your
subject matter? It is my personal opinion that the PRAXIS score should in no way be part of the consideration as for whether or not an individual is qualified to teach in their subject matter. The PRAXIS test, although music specific is not area specific. While in my undergraduate program I have gone through training to be a choral educator. The PRAXIS test that I took had a minimal amount of questions regarding the choral emphasis of music. The test is more about how fast you can read and answer questions than it is a test to see how much you know, as it is timed. People can be incredibly gifted as a musician and as a teacher and still not pass this test simply because they ran out of time. I personally felt that the question on the test were not all factually proven. In music, especially in singing there are multiple ways in which one can teach. There are also multiple ways in which an individual's voice can be trained and what is the perfect way for one student may not be the perfect way for the next student. The test has you answer questions as if they are fact. In the world of music there is hardly ever a perfect on size fits all answer. The test does not take that into account. How does the PRAXIS score show you are qualified to teach in your subject matter? My personal answer is simply, it doesn't. |
Artifact #2 Content Classes GPAHow do your content (major) required course grades and GPA show you are
prepared to teach this subject matter? These classes are the classes where you delve into the content knowledge. It is in these classes that not only do you learn how to be a musician and how to teach music, but you are reminded of how it feels to be a student who is learning something they have never heard of for the very first time. The GPA factors in to prove how well you accomplished the standards of each particular class. Seeing the list of classes helps show the particular areas I have specialized in while in my undergraduate program. My personal opinion is that these music classes are the classes that I am going to constantly reflect back to during my teaching career. They were essential steps in my process of becoming a teacher. |
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