TAFE BASICS
Professional Educator Skills
Texas Education
Teaching Toolbox
Competive Events
100

What do the letters TAFE stand for?

Texas Association of Future Educators.

100

What should a future educator do when receiving constructive feedback?

Listen respectfully and use the feedback to improve.

100

What does TEKS stand for?

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills.

100

What is the first step in planning a lesson?

Identify the learning objective.

100

Which individual event tests knowledge of educational leadership fundamentals?

Educational Leadership Fundamentals (ELF test)

200

Which grades compete in the high school Varsity division?

11th and 12th 

200

What skill helps educators explain ideas clearly to students and families?

Communication

200

What does a school counselor help students with?

Academic planning, social-emotional concerns, and college or career planning.

200

What do teachers use to check whether students understand a lesson?

Assessments or checks for understanding.

200

Which event asks students to speak on a topic in front of an audience?

Public Speaking.

300

Which grades compete in the high school Junior Varsity division?

9th and 10th

300

Why is reflection important after completing a teaching activity?

It helps educators identify strengths and areas for improvement.

300

What does FERPA protect?

The privacy of students' education records.

300

What is it called when a teacher adjusts a lesson to meet different students' needs?

Differentiation.

300

n the Interactive Bulletin Board competitive event, what are two important features your bulletin board should include? 

A learning objective and an interactive activity

400

What division would a team with mixed high school grade levels compete in?

Varsity

400

What should a teacher do if something goes wrong in their lesson?

Stay calm and try to fix the situation or try to 

400

What is one purpose of the Texas Education Agency (TEA)?

To oversee public education in Texas and support the state education laws and standards.

400

What type of practice allows students to work with teacher support before working independently?

Guided practice.

400

Which event asks students to create materials that can be used for teaching?

Teacher Created Materials.

500

What is the first level of competition students must qualify through to advance?

The Area Conference.

500

Why is it important for educators to use reliable sources when researching learning challenges?

To provide accurate, evidence-based information.

500

What does STAAR stand for in Texas public education?

State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness.

500

Why should teachers connect activities to their lessons?

Engaging experiences that will deeper student learning

500

In the Differentiated Lesson competition, how much planning time does a competitor receive?

20 minutes