The Teacher
Dispositions Index (TDI) aligned with the dispositions of effective teachers as
specified under INTASC’s (1991) Model Standards for Beginning Teacher Licensing
and Development. The Model Standards for Beginning Teacher Licensing and
Development include 10 principles and their corresponding dispositions.
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Principle 1: The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry,
and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and can create learning experiences
that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for students.
•
Principle 2: The teacher understands how children learn and develop and canprovide
learning opportunities that support their intellectual, social, and personal development.
•
Principle 3: The teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to
learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.
•
Principle 4: The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional
strategies to encourage students’ development of critical thinking, problem
solving, and performance skills.
•
Principle 5: The teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation
and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social
interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
•
Principle 6: 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: The teacher plans instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter,
students, the community, and curriculum goals.
•
Principle 8: The teacher understands and uses formal and informal assessment strategies
to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual and social development of
the learner.
•
Principle 9: The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates
the effects of his/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: The teacher fosters relationships with school colleagues,
parents, and agencies in the larger community to support students’ learning and
wellbeing. (INTASC, 1991)
