Running Head: A LOOK FORWARD

A Look Forward: Professional Development Plan

Rachel Martin
TED 690 Capstone
National University
Professor Johnson
1-14-16

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Abstract

This paper outlines a professional development plan for five years. It includes
conferences, workshops, classes and other activities that will enable to me reach my goals as an
effective teacher. This paper also includes a reflection for the three chosen artifacts for past taken
professional development courses. All staff development opportunities, past and future, are part
of the creative process in the professional development portfolio. Any weaknesses will be
targeted so as to utilize staff development to strengthen areas in need.

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A Look Forward: Professional Development Plan

The role of an educator is not only to teach, but to inspire and to motivate students to be
engaged in the classroom and stimulate their interest to want to learn the material. In order to
achieve these aspects, a teacher must also feel motivated and inspired. Professional Development
can aid a teacher to not only feel inspired and motivated, but can also enhance teaching practices,
provide insight and improve any weaknesses the teacher may identify. Creating a professional
development plan can help an educator to make sure they are achieving quality instruction to
improve themselves and their teaching over time.
According to Edutopia (2008), Research has shown that teaching quality is the strongest
school-related factor that can improve student learning and achievement. In order to cultivate
high-quality teaching, support for ongoing professional learning in schools is essential (p. 1). In
order the achieve the high-quality teaching, one must have a professional development plan and
a timeline. Similar to having a lesson plan with objectives to ensure the students and the lesson
stay on task in working towards an overall goal, a teacher should also have a plan for
professional developing in areas to improve and goals to meet. In my current position, I have
been fortunate to attend many professional development conferences, workshops and meetings
based on a large variety of topics, from poverty, LGBT students, trauma, and the impact of lack
of nutrition in the classroom. Looking forward, there are still areas in which I would like to know
more and improve.
My Professional Development Plan
As a future middle school science teacher, I am aware my student group is a group of
students who are fighting hormones, going through puberty, dealing with bullying and other
changes in themselves, their environment and possible at home. Seventh grade is my favorite

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grade and it is also students first time out of the elementary school environment where they only
have one teacher, one desk and one classroom. That in itself is an adjustment and may provide a
challenge for some students. As a new teacher, I am also very aware of the data that shows most
teachers leave the profession within five years of starting (Edutopia, 2008, p. 2) due to stress,
anxiety, and feeling overworked and frustrated. My professional development plan takes this into
consideration as well.
Timeline
2016

Professional Development Goal

Attend the Southern Region Student Wellness
Conference Palm Springs

2017

Gain insight into emerging drug trends

and what to look out for

Mental Illness and Depression in the

classroom
Become certified in safeTalk2
Attend training for Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math

2018
2019
2020

(STEM)
Attend a workshop for PBIS
Complete BTSA
Begin school for an administrative
credential

My first goal is to attend the Southern Region Student Wellness Conference in Palm
Springs. I attended once a few years ago and did not get to attend specific workshops, such as the
safeTalk workshop where you can become certified in suicide alertness and how to get someone
help. This conference is a week-long and though expensive, covers a variety of topics from

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suicide prevention, LGBT, nutrition, PBIS, substance abuse and other topics. From my past
experience its the best way to recover from a long year of teaching, as its in Palm Springs at a
nice resort, but also has a myriad of professional development that leaves one feeling inspired,
motivated and ready to take on a new year.
By 2017, I plan to attend training on STEM (Science, Technology, Math and
Engineering). In my future district, STEM has already begun to take place at 2 schools and a new
STEM school has already begun construction. This program is the future of not just this district,
but of schools and districts around the country. I do not understand STEM, therefore this is a
major weakness and I am need in training and improvement so I can provide the best education
and implement the best practices to my students. STEM trainings are offered periodically either
by a district or by various science and technology groups as professional development or
continuing education courses.
My third goal is to attend a workshop for PBIS, Positive Behavior Interventions and
Supports. I am aware the district in which I will hopefully teach has begun implementation of
this program in many schools, but I do not know much about it. The program is about respecting
yourself, others, others property and how to behave in a way that is safe, responsible and
respectful to everyone (pbis.org, pg. 1). From what I have heard, there has been a great deal of
success in the schools who have successfully implemented this program and I want to make sure
I understand the program and implementation without feeling overwhelmed as a new teacher.
Beginning Teacher Support and Administration is a requirement for my future school
district. I have heard from many teachers of the difficulty of the assignments, as they are done
the same time as getting used to a new school, being a new teacher creating lesson plans, student
work, etc. However, these same people have also said that it is very helpful to them throughout

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their adjustment period. I know once I get a job with them, I must enroll immediately in the
program so my goal is to do well and finish the program by 2019. I hope to grow as a teacher and
improve my instructional skills and student engagement strategies during this time.
My last goal for my five year professional development plan is to begin my
administrative credential in 2020. I have been advised to simply continue school but at this time I
know that I need to focus on my new career as a teacher and focus on my students themselves. It
would be too much to continue school, BTSA and be a new teacher. I want to make sure my
attention is not divided and my students have my full attention and withitness (Marzano,
Marzano & Pickering, 2009, p. 37) in the classroom. Students are fully aware when a teacher is
not listening, paying attention and having a full, invested interest in their students. In response,
students do not care about the class. Thus, this goal will wait until the five year mark.
Reflection of Professional Development Artifacts for Domain F
Professional development has always been an interest for me, as I know there will always
be more to learn and I am constantly trying to improve. As a new teacher, I did not realize how
much I did not know or understand about students. I have always known that persons past and
current situation can affect their learning, however I did not realize to what extent until I attended
Dr. Bruce Perrys Trauma Informed Teaching Conference. Dr. Perry illustrates how trauma
affects the developing brain. For example, children exposed to repetitive trauma such as various
forms of abuse, have made the childs stress response oversensitive, over-reactive and
dysfunctional because of overutilization of brainstem-driver reactions (Perry, 2008, p. 40). This
conference was extremely enlightening in how to identify students whose behavior dictates
possible trauma that causes disruptive or dissociative behavior. If a teacher cannot reach a child,
they cannot teach the child.

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After attending a difference conference, I realized I did not know about the culture
surrounding different aspects of students past. I also realized that In order to understand an
individual, one needs to know his or her history (Perry, 2008, p. 40). I attended the
Understanding the Culture of Poverty workshop in San Bernardino County to strengthen what
I identified as a great weakness. The students I teach come from an area that has a moderate to
high level of poverty, with at least 50% of students receiving free or reduced-priced lunch.
However, I know nothing about poverty in which to reach students and help them relate to the
subject matter in class. The workshop was another eye opener and answered many questions I
had always had, such as why if in poverty, any free money goes to electronics and useless video
games, etc.
My last artifact is a literature review which highlights the importance of staff
development for various reasons. Not only to improve identified weaknesses, but also to ensure
teachers stay on top of the most up-to-date laws, reforms, policies and standards that all impact a
teacher and their students. Doman F of the Teacher Performance Expectations highlights the
importance of staff development and personal growth as a teacher. There is more to being a
teacher than simply knowing and understanding the subject matter to be taught.

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References
Edutopia team. (January 15, 2016). Why is Teacher Development Important? Because Students
Deserve the Best. Retrieved from: http://www.edutopia.org/teacher-development.
Marzano, R.J., Marzano, J.S., & Pickering, D.J. (2009) Classroom management that works:
research-based strategies for every teacher. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Merrill
Education.
Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports. (2016). Secondary Level Prevention. Retrieved
from: https://www.pbis.org/school/secondary-level