Standard two of Appalachian State University's Middle Grades Education standards states that, "middle level teacher candidates understand and apply the philosophical foundations of developmentally responsive middle level programs and schools and the organizational structures that support young adolescent development." By producing each artifact provided and described above, I have successfully demonstrated my ability to meet the expectations set out in standard two. 

​

The Developmentally Responsive Middle School Project (DRMS) provided teacher candidates with the opportunity to dive into the complex elements that go into a middle school to help meet the needs of adolescent students. The DRMS Project allowed my team to research the developmental needs of adolescents and apply the philosophical foundations of developmentally responsive programs and schools that support young adolescent development. The DRMS project focused on curriculum, instructional strategies, accommodations, modifications, schedule organization, family, and community. By taking these elements into account, my team created a model that supported and fostered the growth of each and every potential middle school student that would attend our school. By helping create the DRMS model, I grasped a deeper understanding of the multifaceted elements that go into a developmentally responsive middle school and am ready to apply these foundations in my future classroom. 

​

The Case Study Analysis was a way to both reflect and analyze different experiences while completing an internship in an eighth grade English language arts classroom. In order to understand the philosophical foundations of developmentally responsive middle level programs, it is essential to gain first hand experience in classrooms educating young adolescent learners. For the study, I was asked to analyze the eight philosophical components of developmentally responsive practices. I defined the ideal scenario for each component, and then reflected on how these scenarios were represented at my placement site. When discussing the representations, I included both my placements strengths and areas for growth when applying philosophical foundations for fostering young adolescent development. Through this case study, I feel better prepared to analyze my own strategies as a beginning educator and assess my strengths/areas for growth pertaining to the support provided to my middle grades students. 

​

The final artifact provided was a two part lesson plan I created and taught during student teaching. There are multiple aspects to these lesson plans that meet the foundations set out to be developmentally responsive to young adolescent learners. The first aspect would be the implementation of 21st century skills provided at the beginning of the lesson. Intellectual and moral development are key attributes to young adolescents and both heavily focus on independent thinking. Highlighting 21st century skills ensure adolescents are being supported beyond the classroom, which should be a goal of all educators. By applying these skills to the lesson plan, students are engaging in understanding and reasoning beyond the classroom environment. Along with the skills being applied to both the lesson and beyond the classroom, the topic provided in these plans are highly relevant to adolescent students' lives. Providing relevant curriculum to student lives is essential to supporting the development of young adolescents because this is a time of personal growth, which is greatly defined through moral development. By discussing social issues effecting adolescents, students have a greater chance to make personal, principled choices both inside and outside of the classroom. Applying the philosophical structures that support young adolescent development through lesson planning is a way to continuously foster growth in academic environments. 

​

As an educator, I am passionate about understanding philosophical foundations both within my classroom and beyond. Being apart of implementing these foundations across various aspects of students' lives is essential to foster the many developmental needs of adolescents. Through the DRMS project, I analyzed foundations through every aspect of an adolescent's academic experience, which makes me better equipped to provide support and insight in various school-wide platforms. Through the Case

Study Analysis, I prepared myself to consider philosophical foundations when reflecting upon my personal practices and school-wide practices. Additionally, the Case Study Analysis helped me to understand the importance of self reflection as an educator to ensure I am supporting all students who enter my classroom. Lastly, the lesson plans highlight the importance of implementing foundational practices that support students in every detail that goes into one's classroom environment. The main goal is to foster the growth of adolescents, and having an understanding of how to best support each student is the basis for reaching such goals.