Teaching Standards
At Avalon Middle School, we strive for excellence in
our students’ achievement. This begins with our excellent staff of educators. The
teachers at Avalon Middle School exemplify the ten INTASC standards in
education.
- Standard One - Knowledge of Subject Matter: The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) she or he teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for students.
- Standard Two - Knowledge of Human Development: The teacher understands how children learn and develop and can provide learning opportunities that support their intellectual, social, and personal development.
- Standard Three - Adapting Instruction for Individual Needs: The teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.
- Standard Four - Multiple Instructional Strategies: The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage students' development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.
- Standard Five - Classroom Motivation and Management Skills: The teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interactions, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
- Standard Six - Communication Skills: The teacher uses knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, media communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.
- Standard Seven - Instructional Planning Skills: The teacher plans instruction based on knowledge of subject matter, students, the community, and curriculum goals.
- Standard Eight - Assessment of Student Learning: The teacher understands and uses formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social, and physical development of the learner.
- Standard Nine - Professional Commitment and Responsibility: The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of her/his choices and actions on others (students, parents, and other professionals in the learning community) and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.
- Standard Ten - Partnerships: The teacher fosters relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support students' learning and well-being.
Our Leading Members
Principal: Dr. Lois Yocum Email: [email protected]
Educational Background
- Bachelor of Arts: Buena Vista University, English/Education
- Master of Science: Iowa State University, Education (Curriculum & Instructional Technology)
- Ph.D.:Iowa State University, Education (Curriculum & Instruction) National Board Certified
Vice-Principal: Dr. Donna Scoggins Email: [email protected]
Educational Background
- Bachelor of Science: University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, Elementary/Middle Level Education
- Master of Education: University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, Emphasis in Science
- Doctorate of Education: University of Arkansas - Fayetteville, Higher Education
6th Grade Science/Language Arts Teacher: Rain Oxford Email: [email protected]
Educational Background
I believe that an effective teacher follows the INTASC standards and works to improve their teaching strategies through professional development. An effective teacher also keeps up with the most current research on educational strategies and technology.
- Bachelor of Science: University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
- Creative Writing Minor
I believe that an effective teacher follows the INTASC standards and works to improve their teaching strategies through professional development. An effective teacher also keeps up with the most current research on educational strategies and technology.
Special Education/Social Studies: Linda Baschek Email: [email protected]
Educational Background
I believe that children come first! Children need a teacher that will think outside the box, demonstrate structure, reliability, with-it-ness, understanding, guidance, encouragement, and above all else love and passion for their profession.
- Bachelor of Science: University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
- Middle Level Education with emphasis in mathematics/science
- Emphasis in Special Education
I believe that children come first! Children need a teacher that will think outside the box, demonstrate structure, reliability, with-it-ness, understanding, guidance, encouragement, and above all else love and passion for their profession.
8th Grade Math/Science Teacher: Amber Wright Email: [email protected]
Educational Background
An effective educator is open-minded to his/her students learning styles and developmental levels and is willing to implement instructional strategies to meet the individual needs of each of his/her students. Also, he/she will be an ideal example of a role model and display proper ethics, manners, and behaviors since young adolescents learn by example.
- Bachelor of Science: University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
- Middle Level Education with an emphasis in mathematics/science
- Minor in Mathematics
An effective educator is open-minded to his/her students learning styles and developmental levels and is willing to implement instructional strategies to meet the individual needs of each of his/her students. Also, he/she will be an ideal example of a role model and display proper ethics, manners, and behaviors since young adolescents learn by example.
6th Grade Science/Social Studies Teacher: Jaineane Harrison Email: [email protected]
Educational Background
I believe that an effective teacher should know their students well. A teacher should know how their students learn and understand concepts, their interests, and their strengths and weaknesses. They should also excel in cooperation, be creative, deeply know their content, be reflective over their teaching strategies, lessons, and attitudes, and be dedicated to their career, their students, and their continued learning.
- Bachelor of Science: University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
- Middle Level Education with emphasis in mathematics/science
- Minor in Mathematics
- Minor in History
I believe that an effective teacher should know their students well. A teacher should know how their students learn and understand concepts, their interests, and their strengths and weaknesses. They should also excel in cooperation, be creative, deeply know their content, be reflective over their teaching strategies, lessons, and attitudes, and be dedicated to their career, their students, and their continued learning.
7th Grade Language Arts/Math Teacher: Michael McKnight Email: [email protected]
Educational Background
I believe that an effective teacher should have the following characteristics: open minded, positive attitude, dedicated, reflective, creative, and knowledgeable.
- Bachelor of Science: University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
- Middle Level Education with emphasis in mathematics/science
I believe that an effective teacher should have the following characteristics: open minded, positive attitude, dedicated, reflective, creative, and knowledgeable.