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TEP EssaysPresented by the UHCL Writing Center

Fall 2015

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rPurpose of the TEP Essay

•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

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rChallenges of the TEP Essay

• You must meet standards and answer all questions within one page of writing.

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rFunction of the 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

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rPersonal Qualifications

• 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?

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rExperiences or Influences

• 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?

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rCharacterize the Students

• 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?

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rExperiences with These 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?

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rEffective Teaching Methods

• 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?

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rSuggested Essay Organization

• Key sections of a TEP essay• Begin by introducing yourself, your experience, and your motivations.

• Continue by discussing the students you want to teach, what makes them special, and why they are significant to you.

• Conclude by explaining the methods and techniques you will employ to effectively teach the students.

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rExample Essay

• Let’s look at the example essay.• What did the author do well? What can the author improve?

• Did the author address all necessary aspects?

• Does the writing flow well? Are there transitions to connect ideas or cause and effect?

• Does the essay meet its function and purpose?