#1 Content Knowledge
The teacher understands the central concepts, methods of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) and creates learning experiences that make the content meaningful to all students.

#2 Human Development and Learning
The teacher understands how individuals grow, develop, and learn and provides learning opportunities that support the intellectual, social, and personal development of all students.

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

#4 Planning for Instruction
The teacher understands instructional planning and designs instruction based upon knowledge of the discipline, students, the community, and curriculum goals.

#5 Learning Environment
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.

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

#7 Communication
The teacher uses knowledge of effective written, verbal, nonverbal, and visual communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.

#8 Assessment
The teacher understands various formal and informal assessment strategies and uses them to support the continuous development of all students.

#9 Collaborative Relationships
The teacher understands the role of the community in education and develops and maintains collaborative relationships with colleagues, parents/guardians, and the community to support student learning and well-being.

#10 Reflection and Professional Growth
The teacher is a reflective practitioner, who continually evaluates how choices and actions affect students, parents, and other professionals in the learning community and actively seeks opportunities to grow professionally.

#11 Professional Conduct
The teacher understands education as a profession, maintains standards of professional conduct, and provides leadership to improve student learning and well-being.

Here is some basic information regarding the time of your renewal. As at stated on the Illinois Education Association – National Education Association (IEANEA) website:

http://www.ieanea.org/programdevel_mr/certification/cert_q_a.html 

 

How is the implementation date and start date different for those who are seeking an Initial Teaching Certificate?

The implementation date of February 15, 2000 means that the first time an individual applies for a new Teaching Certificate after February 15, 2000, he/she will be issued an Initial Teaching Certificate valid for 4 years of teaching. The certificate cycle of July 1st through June 30th is unaffected.

Initial Teaching Certificates will come up for renewal on July 1st, four years after their first issuance date. This means that depending upon the time of the year that you received your Initial Certificate (Initial Teaching Certificates may be issued at various times throughout the year as candidates complete their coursework and examination requirements), it could come up for renewal in 3½ years rather than the full four years. Once again, this is because the certificate validity period is from July 1st through June 30th of each calendar year, not four years from the actual date that you received your Initial Teaching Certificate.