INTASC Principles

Interstate New Teachers Assessment and Support Consortium

Each principal is further discussed in terms of the knowledge, dispositions and performances it implies. These provide the basis for evaluating evidence about a candidates’ achievement of the standards, thus providing guidance for both preparation and assessment.

Principle 1: Making content meaningful

The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for students.

Principle 2: Child development and learning theory

The teacher understands how children learn and develop and can provide learning opportunities that support their intellectual, social, and personal development.

Principle 3: Learning styles/diversity

The teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.

Principle 4: Instructional strategies/problem solving

The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage students’ development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.

Principle 5: Motivation and behavior

The teacher uses an understanding individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagements in learning, and self-motivation.

Principle 6: Communication/knowledge

The teacher uses knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal and media communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.

Principle 7: Planning for instruction

The teacher plans instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, students, the community, and curriculum goals.

Principle 8: Assessment

The teacher understands and uses formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social, and physical development of the learner.

Principle 9: Professional growth/reflection

The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of his or her choices and actions on others (students, parents, and other professionals in the learning community) and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.

Principle 10: Interpersonal relationships

The teacher fosters relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support students’ learning and well being.

Outstanding Students

Jamie Daniels

Jamie Daniels

As an outdoor enthusiast unsure of what I wanted to major I chose to attend Plymouth State University because of the many majors to choose from, and their great reputation for academics. During my freshman year I met some marvelous faculty that inspired me to become a History major with a double minor in Art History and Anthropology/Sociology. At PSU I have met life long friends, and made great connections with faculty who have assisted me in discovering what I would like to do after college, internships, clubs and the chorale, and a job on campus working in the library at the Michael J. Spinelli Special Collections and Archives.