New Jersey Professional
Standards for Teachers
Below are the New Jersey Standards for Teachers and School Leaders. Click on the standards to see my interpretation and my teaching experiences that support my interpretations.
1. Subject Matter Knowledge Teachers shall understand the central concepts, tools of inquiry, structures of the discipline, especially as
they relate to the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards (CCCS), and design developmentally
appropriate learning experiences making the subject matter accessible and meaningful to all students.
2. Human Growth and Development Teachers shall understand how children and adolescents develop and learn in a variety of school, family
and community contexts and provide opportunities that support their intellectual, social, emotional and physical development.
3. Diverse Learners Teachers shall understand the practice of culturally responsive teaching.
4. Instructional Planning and Strategies Teachers shall understand instructional planning, design long- and short-term plans based upon knowledge
of subject matter, students, community, and curriculum goals, and shall employ a variety of developmentally appropriate strategies in order to
promote critical thinking, problem solving and the performance skills of all learners.
5. Assessment Teachers shall understand and use multiple assessment strategies and interpret results to evaluate and promote student learning and
to modify instruction in order to foster the continuous development of students.
6. Learning Environment Teachers shall understand individual and group motivation and behavior and shall create a supportive, safe and respectful
learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning and self-motivation.
7. Special Needs Teachers shall adapt and modify instruction to accommodate the special learning needs of all students.
8. Communication Teachers shall use knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal and written communication techniques and the tools of information
literacy to foster the use of inquiry, collaboration and supportive interactions.
9. Collaboration and Partnerships Teachers shall build relationships with parents, guardians, families and agencies in the larger community to
support students’ learning and well-being.
10. Professional Development Teachers shall participate as active, responsible members of the professional community, engaging in a
wide range of reflective practices, pursuing opportunities to grow professionally and establishing collegial relationships to enhance the teaching
and learning process.
11. Professional Responsibility Teachers shall act in accordance with legal and ethical responsibilities and shall use integrity and fairness to promote
the success of all students.
they relate to the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards (CCCS), and design developmentally
appropriate learning experiences making the subject matter accessible and meaningful to all students.
2. Human Growth and Development Teachers shall understand how children and adolescents develop and learn in a variety of school, family
and community contexts and provide opportunities that support their intellectual, social, emotional and physical development.
3. Diverse Learners Teachers shall understand the practice of culturally responsive teaching.
4. Instructional Planning and Strategies Teachers shall understand instructional planning, design long- and short-term plans based upon knowledge
of subject matter, students, community, and curriculum goals, and shall employ a variety of developmentally appropriate strategies in order to
promote critical thinking, problem solving and the performance skills of all learners.
5. Assessment Teachers shall understand and use multiple assessment strategies and interpret results to evaluate and promote student learning and
to modify instruction in order to foster the continuous development of students.
6. Learning Environment Teachers shall understand individual and group motivation and behavior and shall create a supportive, safe and respectful
learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning and self-motivation.
7. Special Needs Teachers shall adapt and modify instruction to accommodate the special learning needs of all students.
8. Communication Teachers shall use knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal and written communication techniques and the tools of information
literacy to foster the use of inquiry, collaboration and supportive interactions.
9. Collaboration and Partnerships Teachers shall build relationships with parents, guardians, families and agencies in the larger community to
support students’ learning and well-being.
10. Professional Development Teachers shall participate as active, responsible members of the professional community, engaging in a
wide range of reflective practices, pursuing opportunities to grow professionally and establishing collegial relationships to enhance the teaching
and learning process.
11. Professional Responsibility Teachers shall act in accordance with legal and ethical responsibilities and shall use integrity and fairness to promote
the success of all students.