Professional Growth Plan

Amber Toone
October 20, 2014
Goal #1: I will aim to include differentiated teaching techniques and
implement at least three in a lesson when necessary.
Action
- I will access the
curriculum lab to
find resources
that offer
differentiated
learning and
compose at least
three different
lesson plans or
ideas.

Timeline
-Oct. 31, 2014

-In addition I will

find suitable
internet resources
to add to my
knowledge of
differentiated
learning.

-Prior to and
during practicum.

-If I have any

questions,
concerns or are in
need of assistance
I will contact my
Ed Psych
Professor Noella,
and my TA
- Include
differentiated
learning in my
micro teach.

-Organize

-Before and
during practicum.

Resource
-Curriculum Lab
and Beth Cormier

Measuring Criteria
-Spend time in the
curriculum lab prior
to PS1 placement
(Nov. 3).

-Make an ongoing
- Psych Textbook effort to access
& notes from class strategies on the
internet (especially if
there is a specific
need in the classroom
-Noella
that needs
- Internet
differentiation.)
-Include professors
input in creating
binder.
-Include a section that
has all internet
websites that
professors have
suggested we use as
references

- October 7, 2014
(Smartboard
teach for
computers class)
- Oct 17, 2014
Micro Teach

- Curriculum lab
- Len
- Kathy
- Use feedback
from C&I micro
teach.

-Started before

-Curriculum lab,

- Successfully
incorporate
Differentiated
learning in my lesson
and ask classmates if
they were aware of it.
Ask for any
suggestions/feedback.
- Have a binder and

differentiated
learning
techniques into an
online folder and
binder for easy
access.
Related KSAs

Reflection

Oct. 31,2014;
internet,
online folder that is a
however
professors.
growing document of
continually add to
successful
it throughout
differentiation
practicum 1, 2 &
teaching techniques.
3.
#5 All students can learn, albeit at different rate sin different
ways.
#9 There are many approaches to teaching and learning.
#17: You are expected to achieve the Teaching Quality Standard.
Completed:
During my practicum I had a little boy in the classroom who
had apraxia of speech as well as learning disabilities. In
addition tot his there were various students within the
classroom who learned and executed tasks at various levels. As
a result of this I had to multiple times differentiate my teaching,
and offer performance tasks that were suitable to their needs. I
would plan ahead of lessons continually to ensure that these
students would receive the teaching and tasks necessary to
help them grow and allow for success. I also learned the ability
to be flexible and think on my feet in times of need when I felt
as though a student(s) was not; understanding a concept or
needed an altered worksheet.
I also had a student in the class two was continually ahead of
everyone else. As a result of this I would create projects for
him to work on to challenge his thinking and allow him to take
his learning to a different level above that which was occurring
in the class. By making it a fun project (such as a scientist
researcher creating a new informative booklet on insects) the
student was able to enjoy the task at hand.

Goal #2: In order to effectively motivate students I will educate myself on

successful classroom management techniques, create a resource binder, and
choose 2 strategies to implement throughout my practicum.
Action
Timeline
Resource
Measuring
Criteria
-I will talk to my
Before October 31, -Noella
- Log their
professors and
2014.
- Len
suggestions and
inquire about a
- Kathy
research their
classroom
- Mary Ann
ideas more to add
management
- Jay
my personal touch.
strategy that has
- Jenna
worked for them.

-I will ask a teacher

who is currently
teaching what
classroom
management
techniques have
successfully
worked for them.
- Create an
organized binder
with various
Classroom
Management and
Motivation
strategies.

With a group of
classmates present
an outline of
motivational
techniques that
effectively add to
classroom
management.
Related KSAs

Reflection

Have binder made

my Oct. 31, 2014;
continually add to
the binder.

Curriculum lab,
Professors, current
teachers.

Completed by
November 6, 2014

Curriculum lab,
Professors,
strategy binder,
Educational
Psychology text
book, current
teachers.

Have the binder

completed before
practicum begins
(November 3,
2014).

- Present
classmates with
motivational
techniques and
inform them of the
positive affects
these techniques
can have on a
classroom. Receive
above 80%.
# 7: Students needs for physical, social, cultural and
psychological security.
#17: You are expected to achieve the Teaching Quality
Standard.
Complete & Ongoing:
The key to effective teaching is classroom management and I
have learned that even simple techniques can alter the
learning environment your students are in. I have created an
ongoing binder of simple techniques that I have watched and
read of various techniques teachers carry out to have efficient
classroom management.
Simple techniques can involve simply saying in a quiet voice
If you can hear me put your hand on your head, if you can
hear me put your hand on your nose etc until all students
are following along.

On a broader aspect you have to have expectation put in place

so that students know what is expected of them. Having
anchor charts throughout the classroom is a great way to have
a visual reminder so that students can always see what the
expectations are and if they are faltering form those
expectations you can advert their attention to the chart to
bring the classroom back to the learning environment you
desire.
By creating a binder I am allowing myself to always have a
go-to because I know In the future one technique may work
one year and the next year you might have to use something
completely different depending on the classroom dynamics.
With techniques in a binder I will always have quick access to
ideas! As a result of this I feel this binder will always be an
ongoing project.
Goal #3: I will aim to keep physically active as physical health improves
mental and emotional health.
Action

Timeline

Resource

Measuring
Criteria
- Buy the pass

- Buy a gym pass at - Buy pass by

- Gym/Swimming
the community
November 1, 2014 Pool.
center to spend
-Leo, Mitch, Jace
time being
physically active
with my family.
- I will be
- Starting
- Gym, pool, dogs,
- Create a log book
physically active at November 1, 2014 outdoors
of my workout
least four times a
until end of
-Leo, Mitch, Jace,
progression.
week.
semester.
Mom
Related KSA: In order to achieve KSAs I need to be emotionally, mentally and
physically prepared as an individual to be the best teacher I can to give my students
the best learning environment possible. By taking care of my health I will be more
equipped to be the best teacher I can be.
Reflection: Complete and Ongoing:
Taking time out of the day for my mental health definitely helped me to get through
my semester. Even if I was extremely tired I had a cheering team (kids and
boyfriend) encouraging me to take the time to have physical activity! I know this
made a difference in the way that I was able to deal with various stress levels of
being in PS1.