Commitment to Professional Development

Being a teacher doesnt mean you know everything, in fact, teachers

learn new things every day. As a pre-service teacher candidate, I am fully
committed to being a lifelong learner. I understand that being a teacher
means being a role model for our students, as well as being student-focused.
During my time here at West Virginia State University, I have had the
opportunity to attend multiple professional developments. I feel that it is
important to stay up to date with the most recent changes being made in
education. If I do not stay up to date with the most current information in
education, I am not only failing myself, but also my students. I feel that the
professional developments I have attended have been very beneficial in
helping me for my future.
Below, I have provided a brief description of each of my artifacts. I
have attached certificates showing my attendance at the following
professional developments.
Artifact 1: Touch Math Certificate
This Touch Math professional development was to train teacher
candidates on a way to help children who may struggle or need a different
approach to common math problems or identifying numbers. This will help
me in future classrooms with pre-kindergarten students or in a special
education environment to aid early learning and different types of learners.
Artifact 2: PLT Workshop
I attended Dr. Lepleys PLT workshop close to two months before I
would be taking the PLT. This workshop gave me great insight on how the
test would be set up and what types of questions would be asked.
Artifact 3: Read Aloud
I had the opportunity of attending a read aloud workshop put on by
Mary Kay Bond this semester as a part of my Teaching Reading Course. In
this workshop I learned valuable lessons on why reading is so important for
children. I also learned practices for read aloud. Through this workshop, I was
certified for read aloud. After the workshop, we were to participate in a read
aloud at our field placement and also in class.
Artifact 4: Spring Convocation

I attended "Protecting yourself in a campus crisis situation" where I

learned how to keep safe if a crisis occurs on your schools' campus. I also
learned techniques to use to keep your students and other employees safe.
Artifact 5: Scope Workshop
I attended the Scope workshop hosted this semester by Tracy Hudnall
and Amanda Whitlock. From this workshop, I learned how to put together my
e-portfolio, what information needed to be included, and what information
went where. I found this workshop to be very beneficial.

Artifact 6: Kappa Delta Pi Membership Certificate

Kappa Delta Pi Membership is a national honors society for Education
candidates. I am proud to be a member of the largest and most active
chapter in West Virginia. From being a member in Kappa, I have had the
experience to work a book fair, participate in many fundraiser and
community service events, and attend many professional developments.
Artifact 7: Book Study Certificate
During Education 202, I had the opportunity to participate in a book
study. My group chose to read the book The Purposeful Classroom which
was an awesome book! Over the five weeks my group read the book, we
would have discussions on what the book was about and our thoughts on the
book.
Artifact 8: Smartbrief
During Education 426, I chose to sign up and regularly read smartbrief.
They send me emails letting me know new articles about educational
information that is being put out. This is a great way to stay up to date with
information in our society.
Artifact 9: State of the Union Address
During the Fall semester of 2014, I attended the State of the Union
Address. The President of the University spoke about the changes he planned
to make to the University. He spoke about the new the dorm facility and how
there were many more upcoming events and changes to be made.
Artifact 10: WV Public Broadcasting

During the Spring semester of 2015, I had the opportunity to attend a

workshop on WV Public Broadcasting. During this workshop, I learned about
many valuable websites and tools that could be implemented in the
classroom. During the workshop we signed up for a PBS account. The PBS
account could be used in the classroom to show videos on a particular topic
or take quizzes. The website also gives access to other lesson plans to get
more ideas.
Artifact 11: Professional Group
During the spring semester of 2015, I became a member of ACEI. By
joining ACEI, I will receive the latest educational news, as well as many
benefits. I feel that this is a great opportunity for me as a future educator.
Artifact 12: Literacy Alive
On April 16, 2015, I participated in Literacy Alive at Piedmont
Elementary in Charleston, WV. I read The Magic School Bus on The Ocean
Floor to two fifth grade classes, and worked on an activity with the class.
This was a great opportunity and allowed me to see different cultures in the
classroom as well as how a teacher uses Diversity in the classroom.
Artifact 13: Family Night at H.E. White
On Tuesday, April 14, 2015 I had the opportunity to participate in a
Family Night at H.E. White Elementary in Clay County. We read the book
Paddington in the Garden and had activities for the different age groups. I
had an activity for Pre-K and Kindergarten. This was a great opportunity for
me to not only work with students but also to cooperate and work with
parents.