EDU-EDU7080 - Mastering edTPA: Tools for Success

Course Description

This intensive 8-hour course is designed to equip teacher candidates with the essential tools and strategies needed to successfully complete the edTPA assessment. Delivered across four focused sessions, this course will break down the edTPA process and provide step-by-step guidance to ensure candidates are confident and prepared. Participants will receive an edTPA Notebook filled with the necessary resources and exemplars to streamline their preparation.

The goal of this workshop is to equip teacher candidates with the skills, strategies, and confidence needed to successfully complete the edTPA assessment and achieve a passing score of 38 or higher. By mastering the requirements of this critical performance assessment, participants will be on the path to earning their North Carolina teaching license and continuing their careers as impactful educators.

Course Outline

Session 1: Understanding edTPA and Task 1 – Planning

This session sets the stage for success by introducing the purpose and structure of edTPA, with a deep dive into Task 1: Planning for Instruction and Assessment. Participants will explore the essential components of Task 1, including:

• Understanding the Context for Learning: How to analyze and describe the unique needs of your teaching context, including student demographics, learning supports, and classroom environment.
• Creating 3–5 Lesson Plans: Developing cohesive, standards-aligned lessons that highlight a central focus, integrate academic language, and scaffold learning to support all students. 
• Writing the Planning Commentary: Crafting thoughtful responses that explain the rationale behind instructional decisions, lesson design, and assessment strategies.

Session 2: Mastering Task 2 – Video and Commentary

This session focuses on Task 2: Video and Commentary, where candidates showcase their teaching in action. Participants will learn how to effectively record and analyze a classroom lesson while addressing the key elements of Task 2:

• Preparing for Video Recording: Strategies for selecting the right lesson to film, positioning cameras, and managing technical challenges.
• Capturing Student Engagement: Techniques for highlighting how students interact with the teacher, each other, and the content, emphasizing evidence of active learning and participation.
• Writing the Instruction Commentary: Crafting responses that demonstrate the ability to engage students, support diverse learning needs, and foster a positive learning environment. 

Session 3: Task 3 – Assessing Student Learning and Maximizing Your Score

In this session, participants will dive into Task 3: Assessing Student Learning, focusing on how to evaluate student progress, provide meaningful feedback, and reflect on instructional effectiveness. A key emphasis will be on understanding and leveraging the edTPA rubrics to maximize scoring potential.
Key topics include: 

• Analyzing Student Work: How to select and analyze evidence of student learning to demonstrate growth and understanding.
• Providing Feedback: Strategies for offering specific, actionable, and individualized feedback that aligns with learning objectives and supports continued progress. 
• Writing the Assessment Commentary: Crafting a clear and reflective narrative that highlights the impact of instruction on student learning and identifies areas for instructional improvement. 
• Rubric Deep Dive: Exploring the language and expectations of the edTPA rubrics to uncover opportunities for earning additional points through detailed, thoughtful reflections and connections to evidence.

Session 4: edTPA Work Session – Collaborative Support and Final Preparation

The final session provides participants with dedicated time to work on their edTPA portfolio in a supportive, collaborative environment. This hands-on work session is designed to address individual questions, troubleshoot challenges, and refine submissions before the final deadline.

Learner Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will have a comprehensive road map to navigate the edTPA requirements, practical tools to highlight their teaching effectiveness, and the confidence to tackle each task with clarity and purpose. Approximately 25 teaching candidates have already participated in this course successfully. Whether starting from scratch or refining their portfolio, candidates will leave fully prepared to excel and achieve a passing score.

All teacher candidates are required to submit their edTPA assessment portfolio as their final condition for licensure. Currently, there are 5,800 unlicensed teachers in North Carolina who need their teaching license. This 8-hour workshop series will help them prepare and submit the final requirement for their teaching license. Currently, there is 100% job placement for those with all the proper certifications. Teachers in the Charlotte Mecklenburg area on average earn $54,000 a year, and passing edTPA will lead to a permanent teaching position.
 

Notes

Key features of this session include: 

• Instructor Guidance: The course teacher will be available to provide personalized feedback, clarify rubric expectations, and answer specific questions related to any part of the edTPA process. 
• Peer Collaboration: Participants will have the opportunity to connect with peers, share insights, and exchange ideas to strengthen their portfolios. 
• Focused Work Time: Use this session to draft, revise, or polish components of your edTPA tasks, with access to resources from the edTPA Notebook.