Liisa Kleemola Ed.

3505 PSI Professional Growth Plan/Goals Name: Liisa Kleemola Teacher Associate: LeeAnn Kruger School Administrator: Janice Sheets University Consultant: Keith Roscoe A. Professional Goals

Oct. 21st, 2011

School: Park Meadows Elementary Practicum Dates: Nov. 7 Dec. 13

Goal #1: To improve my time management skills while planning and implementing a lesson. Rationale: During several of my mini-lessons in various classes, I have either planned far too many activities, or just barely enough that I was getting by. I would like to discover how long certain activities would take, and to be able to plan accordingly so that I always have a sponge activity, but do not always have to use it. Goal #2: To include more technology into my lessons. Rationale: Many classrooms have a large amount of technology in the classroom, but do not always use it to their full capabilities. Usually when I plan my lessons, I tend to avoid using technology to avoid any hassle or problems. I believe that this is the perfect opportunity to embrace technology and use it to engage the students. B. Strategies (How will I go about achieving my goals?) Strategies for addressing Goal #1: I believe that observing how my TA plans and carries out her lessons, as well as asking her questions throughout the process of building my lesson plans to make sure that I am planning enough, but not too much, will greatly improve my time management abilities. Strategies for addressing Goal #2: I will have to first assess what technology is available to me in the classroom, as well as observe what my TA regularly uses with the students. I can then implement the technology available into my lesson plans with her guidance. C. Indicators of Progress Towards Goals (How will I know when and if I have achieved my goals?) Indicators of Progress for Goal #1: I will know when I have achieved this goal, when I am able to plan a lesson with enough activities to engage the students as well as cover the learning objectives, and have a sponge activity ready to implement if students finished quickly. I would hope that after this practicum, I would not have to use my

Liisa Kleemola Ed.3505 PSI Professional Growth Plan/Goals

Oct. 21st, 2011

sponge activity in every lesson plan that I teach. However, it is always good to have a back-up plan like a sponge activity ready. Indicators of Progress for Goal #2: I will know that I have achieved this goal when I am implementing the use of technology into my lesson plans. Whether it is showing videos, having the students use computers, using the Smart Board myself and with students, or simply using the projector to display websites or slideshows, I believe that all of these help to engage the students, as well as demonstrate to them a good use of technology. D. Timeline for Completion I hope to achieve both of these goals within my PSI practicum, and feel that I would see progress on both of them halfway through the five weeks. E. Reflections on Professional Growth I believe that both of these goals will help me become a better teacher in the future, and will enable me to engage the students more. Once I have accomplished these goals, my lesson planning skills will have greatly improved, and I will be a more rounded student teacher.

Addition: December 12, 2011 Reflection on Goals in PSI

Goal #1: I feel that I have achieved this goal over my PSI semester. Quite often I ended up over-planning a bit, however I was able to use those activities in the next lesson, or skip over the un-needed ones at the time. My TA believes that I was able to think on my feet and choose appropriately what to do next. I taught all the Science blocks and the vast majority of the Physical Education and Social Studies blocks, to be able to extend or connect the lessons to work with what I had originally planned. I believe that this comes with teaching over time. Being able to choose what needs to be focused on, as well as being flexible with your plans. There were times when certain activities took much less time to complete than originally planned, or they took twice as long. However, being flexible helped me work with it and go along with the flow of the students/lesson.

Liisa Kleemola Ed.3505 PSI Professional Growth Plan/Goals Goal #2:

Oct. 21st, 2011

I feel that I also achieved this goal during my PSI semester. I used the SMARTBoard, a projector, websites, word documents, PowerPoint presentations, and CD players in many of my lessons. The students were very excited to use technology in the classroom, especially the SMARTBoard. I believe that I could have involved the students more, by having them interact a bit more with the technology, however, I did make a constant effort to include technology in my lessons where possible.