Presented by the UHCL Writing Center Fall 2015

Presented by the UHCL Writing Center Fall 2015 UHCL Writing Center TEP Essays

• Outline qualifications for admission to the program • Inform the college of your intentions as a teacher • Align your goals with the degree program • Make your experience stand out UHCL Writing Center Purpose of the TEP Essay

• You must meet standards and answer all questions within one page of writing. UHCL Writing Center Challenges of the TEP Essay

• Per the application description and rubric • Outline your personal qualifications for joining the degree program • Discuss your previous experience or what influenced you to become a teacher • Characterize the students you want to teach • Describe effective teaching methods you would employ with this group UHCL Writing Center Function of the Essay

• What qualifications do you have that make you an exceptional candidate for the program? • What professional experience or training do you have? • Have you had a personal experience that led to unique insight? • Can you identify an influential person or moment that led you to applying for the program? UHCL Writing Center Personal Qualifications

• What previous experience or influences have affected you? • What led you to this point in your education? • Who or what has influenced you to become a teacher? To teach the group of students you want to teach? • What motivates you to want to work with students? • What influences in turn do you hope to have on your students? UHCL Writing Center Experiences or Influences

• What types of students do you want to teach? • What age group? • Do you want to work with students with special circumstances (i. e. ESL/BL or students with disabilities)? If so, why are you motivated to do so? • Why is this group special to you? UHCL Writing Center Characterize the Students

• What experiences, if any, do you have with these students? • Have you worked with them previously professionally or personally? • Have you had contact through a job, an organization, or volunteering? • Do you have training of any kind working with this group? UHCL Writing Center Experiences with These Students

• What teaching methods would you use to best teach your chosen group? • Do you have any particular skills that help you adapt to teaching them (i. e. a lot of patience, speaking Spanish)? • What aspects will you have to focus on to ensure you teach them effectively? • What difficulties will you have to consider to help them overcome? • Are there any particular pedagogical theories or teaching techniques that you will want to use with them? UHCL Writing Center Effective Teaching Methods

• Key sections of a TEP essay • • Begin by introducing yourself, your experience, and your motivations. • Conclude by explaining the methods and techniques you will employ to effectively teach the students. Continue by discussing the students you want to teach, what makes them special, and why they are significant to you. UHCL Writing Center Suggested Essay Organization

• Let’s look at the example essay. • • • What did the author do well? What can the author improve? • Does the essay meet its function and purpose? Did the author address all necessary aspects? Does the writing flow well? Are there transitions to connect ideas or cause and effect? UHCL Writing Center Example Essay