Mock Professional Development Plan


.    Step One – Self-Reflection

After completing my first semester of student teaching, I have acquired new classroom management tools and teaching strategies which have helped me understand children better. When comparing my underclassman to upperclassmen, I realized underclassmen are more likely to complete their work. Underclassmen are more likely to show concern and provide extra effort to improve their grades unlike upperclassmen. It took me a lot of time to find appropriate activities which helped my students learn hands on. I found it easy to teach students through lecture. Lecturing was not enough for me; I taught myself ways to incorporate all learning styles into my classroom. I wanted to engage all students in their best learning environments.  I realized that many students are detached from agriculture and the basis of it. Students lack understanding to where their food comes from, and fail to realize the work and processes associated with the foods they eat. I feel it is my part to make sure students understand all aspects of agriculture and the benefits it brings to society. 

 

Step IIA. Description of school and teaching, administrative of pupil services situation

Description of Position

I am currently student teaching at Western Dubuque High School in Epworth, IA.

Number of years in this position

Less than one year

School Location Setting

Western Dubuque School District is the largest school district in Iowa. It is a rapidly growing school district with over 200 new students enrolled in the district. There are two high schools, two middle schools, two junior high schools and six elementary schools.

Demographics

Western Dubuque High School’s students are 95% White, 2% African American, 1% Asian American, and 2% Hispanic.

District Goals

The following are Western Dubuque Schools district goals for the years 2007-2012.

·         Improve student performance in literacy, math, science, social studies and twenty-first century skills.

·         Provide a safe environment that supports student social, emotional, and behavioral development.

·         Ensure a high performing staff that utilizes exemplary professional practices.

·         Provide equitable and adequate resources while operating with fiscal integrity.

·         Increase community support for student learning.

Step IIB- Description of the goal to be addressed.

Goal: I will research and test the different types of technology and how they help students learning abilities. I will test which aspects of technology foster student learning and students ability to participate in learning. I hope students will have an increased knowledge and comprehension on agricultural literacy and an eagerness to learn.

Rational for the goal and link to educational situation

Western Dubuque schools’ district’s goals include providing adequate resources while operating with fiscal integrity, and provide social, emotional, and behavioral development. As a first year teacher I use the technological resources available to me to enhance student learning.

I feel that I can use technological websites and grants to incorporate into the classroom which can be given to me at workshops and in-service meetings. I also feel I can teach students how to use technology and how to comprehend online resources. For example students can read soil maps and online livestock judging. I want to use the most current online resources available to educate students. I currently use an Elmo, laptop, projector and cart of Mac Books. I feel that many of my students are disconnected with technology and computers and that I need to make sure they know how to use them resourcefully as they will need them in their everyday lives.

Licensure Standards

The goal addressed meets the following PI34 Standards:

(1)The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the disciplines she or he teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for pupils.

(4) The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies, including the   use of technology, to encourage children's development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.

(5) The teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

(9)The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of his or her choices and actions on pupils, parents, professionals in the learning community and others and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.

Step IID – Plan for assessing and documenting the goal

Goal: I will research and test the different types of technology and how they help students learning abilities. I will test which aspects of technology foster student learning and ability to participate in learning. Students will have an increased knowledge and comprehension on agricultural literacy and an eagerness to learn.

I will assess my professional growth through

·         I will compare similar test from year to year.

·         I will attend workshops to learn how to teach agriculture and incorporate technology into my classroom better.

·         I will reflect on my lessons by writing notes to myself on what I can approve upon each lesson and what technological techniques did or did not work.

I will assess my student’s progress through

·         I will give my students monthly pre/post test to measure their progress since the beginning of the year.

·         I will collect student journals which will state what they have learned on a weekly basis.

·         Daily Observations.

·         I will have a computer based overall pre test and at the end of the year have a post test that measures students progress.

·         I will have parent surveys and they can tell me what progress they have had.

 

Step IIE. Plan to meet the goal: Objectives, Activities, Timeline and Plan for Collaboration

Goal: I will research and test the different types of technology and how they help students learning abilities. I will test which aspects of technology foster student learning and ability to participate in learning. Students will have an increased knowledge and comprehension on agricultural literacy and an eagerness to learn.

Objective: I will incorporate one new piece of technology each year and continue to use technology from the previous year on a regularly basis.

Step III- Annual Review of the PDP FUTHER INFROMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME DUE TO ONLY STUDENT TEACHING EXPERIENCE