Professional Development by Shannon Dunaway

Commonlit

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-14 18:22:37 UTC

This website has texts and materials for students to practice a wide variety of reading skills. Texts are provided in a variety and reading levels, and even in Spanish. Teachers can use this website when students are practicing reading skills, to find texts that match English learners reading levels. This way students are able to practice the skills without language being a barrier.

Talkingpoints

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-14 18:23:10 UTC

This is a communication tool that will translate messages into El families native language. This tool is great to build a rapport with El families, keep them updated on student progress, and help build a community. This can also be used to get to know the background and culture of English learners and their families.

Google Translate

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-14 18:23:52 UTC

Google translate is a great tool for newcomer English learners. Teachers can use google translate to help them communicate with English learners. They can also translate docs, slides assignments etc. into the students first language to help them learn content.

Colorin Colorado

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-14 18:24:58 UTC

This website has great tools for teachers to use to learn about working with English learners. It has information on stages of language development, strategies that are best practices for English learners, and many other great tips. Teachers can review the website when planning lessons to make sure they a preparing lessons that will help ESL students.

Teachervision

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-14 18:26:43 UTC

This website has strategies, lessons, and tips for working with English learners. Teachers can use this website to support English learners by using it to gather information about teaching English learners. It can also give them lessons that will support English learners.

Edpuzzle

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-14 18:29:18 UTC

With this digital tool teachers can take videos and add questions throughout the video. This supports English learners because English learners are able to pause, rewatch, and review videos for comprehension multiple times.

Book Creator

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-14 18:30:13 UTC

This website allows students to create books using text and images. Teachers can use this website to make writing more engaging and fun. By adding images to their writing can help English learners better understand and contextualize their writing. Students can also record themslelves reading their books.

Screencastify

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-14 18:30:45 UTC

This tools allows students to record themselves and their computer screens. This can be used for students to practice their speaking skills. Teachers can use this tool to have students record themselves giving presentations and conversations.

ELLevation Modules

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-14 18:35:31 UTC

Our school district uses ELLevation. This is a platform that contain information about the El population. It also had modules that teaches strategies and methods that work best with English learners. If you are looking for ways to improve your El practices, these modules can help.

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-14 18:38:24 UTC

Link to Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices Digital Flyer

https://canva.link/nec6yg0wodtbsms

Microcredentials in ELLs through NEA

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-14 18:41:16 UTC

The NEA offers a couple of different microcredential professional development options. These can be used to learn about working with English learners in different settings. These are free for teachers to take.

Record Yourself Teaching

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-14 19:18:31 UTC

A good way to reflect on owns teaching it to record yourself teaching. Then a teacher can watch themselves teaching. They can see what worked well, how they interacted with students, and what needs to be adjusted for the future (TeachThought, n.d.).

Ask Students for Feedback

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-14 19:18:55 UTC

Some of the best feedback a teacher can get it from the students. It is important to ask students what they think, and what the learned from different lessons and strategies (TeachThought, n.d.). This can be done through conversations, exit tickers, and surveys.

Keep a Blog or Journal

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-14 19:19:15 UTC

Teachers can also keep a journal or a blog. This can help teachers reflect on their lessons. They can write about what worked and what needed adjusting (TeachThought, n.d.). Teachers can then implement the changes they wrote about.

Have Colleague Observe Teaching

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-14 19:20:58 UTC

Sometimes having a trusted colleague observe as you teach can help you become a more reflective teacher. It is important when this is done to pick a someone who can give constructive feedback about what they saw in the classroom(TeachThought, n.d.). Also, observing someone else classroom can help find different strategies that work with a group of students.

Theories of Bilingualism and Cognition

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-16 11:45:49 UTC

In these theories by Cummins it is stated that students will use their knowledge and skills from their first language to learn a second (Diaz-Rico, 2020). Teachers can use this to write their own teaching philosophy because it shows how important the first language is for learning English. Also, that strategies and methods that use this as a strength with greatly benefit students.

Social Cultural Theory

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-16 11:46:11 UTC

In the social cultural theory it is believed that students learn a language best through social interactions (Colorín Colorado, 2023). This is why it is important that teachers include learning strategies for English learners that include opportunities for authentic conversations and speaking tasks. This is important to remember when writing a teaching philosophy that is not just the teacher talking, but instead a community where everyone has a voice.

Behaviorist View of Second Language Acquisition

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-16 11:47:27 UTC

In this view of second language acquisition it is believed that language is learned through habit, stimuli, and reinforcement (Colorín Colorado, 2023). This means that language must be explicitly taught to students learning a new language. When writing and reflecting about a teaching philosophy it is important to keep in mind that their are many aspects of the English language that native speakers just internally learn, that must be explitly taught to English learners.

Krashen's Input Theory

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-16 11:48:24 UTC

In this theory is states that students learn a new language best when it develops naturally when working at their level and one step above (Diaz-Rico, 2020). This is why teachers need to provide appropriate accommodations to help students meet their needs.

Step One: Reflect

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-16 11:49:36 UTC

When writing a teaching philosophy it is important to first reflect on what is important to the individual when it comes to teaching. A person may reflect on what they want their impact on students to be (Indeed Editorial Team, n.d.). Then what strategies and teaching practices they will use to reach this goal.

Step Two: Write a Introduction

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-16 11:51:25 UTC

In the introduction it is important to share beliefs and values of education (Indeed Editorial Team, n.d). This can a persons belief about the importance of education and students.

Step Three: Body of Philosophy

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-16 11:52:13 UTC

In the body paragraph, state goals and objectives for oneself and students (Indeed Editorial Team, n.d). This is also the place to write how a to reach those goals, and what strategies and methods will be used.

Provide Visuals and Images

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-16 12:05:29 UTC

Providing visuals and images contextualizes information for students (Mississippi Department of Education, 2022). This helps English learners better understand the information on the assessment . When students better understand the assessment, the more valid the data from the assessment it.

Read-aloud

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-16 12:06:03 UTC

In addition to providing a written form a the assessment teachers can also make sure the test can be read aloud to students (Mississippi Department of Education, 2022). By providing students with a read aloud option students with low reading proficiency can still participate with the assessment.

Use Sentence Frames and Starters

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-16 12:06:36 UTC

Sentence frames and starters provide a framework for English learners to complete writing tasks (Mississippi Department of Education, 2022). This allows English learners to focus on the content of their answers and provides an example of proper English grammar.

Write questions using simple sentences and present tense verbs

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-16 12:07:09 UTC

For English learners it is important to write questions using simple sentences and present tense verbs when possible. This makes it easier for students read and understand what the questions are asking (Mississippi Department of Education, 2022). Also, present tense verbs are the first one English learners learn, and are more familiar with the words.

Extended Time

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-16 12:08:19 UTC

This is when English learners receive extra time to complete assessments. This accommodation supports English learners because they need the extra time to to process information in the different languages (Mississippi Department of Education, 2022).

Word-to-Word Dictionaries

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-16 12:08:51 UTC

Word-to Word Dictionaries provide a direct English/ first language translation. This can be useful for English students who may come across new words on assessments (Mississippi Department of Education, 2022). It is important to note that for students to be allowed to use word-to-word dictionaries on state test, they must use this accommodation with classroom assignments and assessments.

Step Four: Write a Concluding Statement

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-18 21:43:17 UTC

In this statement write the ways to build on professional growth and skills (Indeed Editorial Team, n.d).

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-19 20:17:22 UTC

Indeed Editorial Team. (n.d.). How to write a teaching philosophy. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-write-a-teaching-philosophy

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-19 20:19:59 UTC

Mississippi Department of Education. (2022). Adapting assessments for English learners (ELs). https://www.mdek12.org/sites/default/files/Offices/MDE/OAE/OEER/EL/adapting_assessments_for_els_final_081722_002.pdf

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-19 20:31:41 UTC

TeachThought. (n.d.). 10 ways to be a more reflective teacher. https://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy-posts/ways-to-be-a-more-reflective-teacher/

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-19 20:34:05 UTC

Diaz-Rico, L.T. (2020). A course for teaching English learners (Third). Pearson.

shannondunaway23 — 2026-05-19 20:37:15 UTC

Colorín Colorado. (2023). Acquiring a second language for school.

https://www.colorincolorado.org/article/acquiring-second-

language-school