Advocacy Paper in Early Childhood Education

5. Describe the Assessment: Advocacy Research Paper and Presentation
Standard Number: 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E
Supportive Skill Number: One

Overview: Early Childhood Teachers often times don’t get the recognition and respect for educating children. It is important for students to become advocates for the teaching profession, so they get the recognition and respect they deserve. Many states and the Federal Government recognize the importance of having good, quality teachers by setting standards and competencies for future teachers. In addition to being an advocate for children and teachers, there are seven teaching competencies that teachers should possess professionalism, subject matter knowledge, instructional practices, communication, equity, evaluation, and problem solving. Research the subject of advocacy and the standards and competencies for teachers and present your findings to the class.

Advocacy Research Assignment: In a five-page paper, research and discuss advocacy and the seven teaching competencies. How have your teaching and educational experiences have contributed to you becoming a competent early childhood professional. The best way to write this paper is use each idea as a separate paragraph and connect content to your Supervised Field experiences.
For example, in the introductory paragraph, address the topic of advocacy. What is advocacy? What does it mean to be an advocate? How are you are advocate for teachers, children, the teaching professional? Give an example of a way you were an advocate for a child.
In the next paragraph, address professionalism. How do you act professionally? Did you act professionally at your practicum site? What are the ethical teaching standards? Do you uphold ethical teaching standards? What are the current licensing requirements to become a professional certified teacher? Make sure to include the other competencies.
This is a research paper so make sure to document at least four sources of information and document sources in APA or MLA format.

Presentation Content: (Be prepared to answer these questions during the presentation)
The presentation portion is about your self-assessment of your teaching experience. You will give a five-minute presentation of paper on the last day of class.
What is your teaching experience before the practicum? after the practicum? What are your educational goals?
Which of these competencies are your personal strengths and weaknesses?
Did you feel like a teacher before the practicum? after the practicum?
What makes you a good teacher?
How did the practicum change your concept of teaching?