Professional Goals/Growth Plan

Name: Brittany Mahon

School: Wilson Middle School

Practicum Dates: August-December

Teacher Mentor: Jessica Kaupp

School Administrator: Dean Hawkins

University Consultant: Dawn Burleigh

A. Professional Goals
Goal #1: Establish, create, and implement effective assessment practices that will
pertain to my professional growth and development, and student learning
Rationale: Throughout my previous practicum experience, I have often struggled with a
proper assessment for students. I feel as though I have not had enough experience with
assessing students regarding the program of studies. I am lacking confidence in this area
of teaching. I know that proper assessment is essential, and therefore I need to learn how
to effectively assess students learning. In addition, I want to ensure that my students are
being fairly assessed based on their abilities. I know that there are several different
approaches and practices to assess student learning, and I would like to develop and
implement. I believe that if this goal is accomplished, it will enhance my abilities as a
teacher. Furthermore, it will allow for my students to have a fair and authentic
assessment.
KSA linkage: the importance of guiding their actions with a personal, overall vision of the
purpose of teaching. They are able to communicate their vision, including how it has
changed as a result of new knowledge, understanding and experience (p)

Goal #2: Develop and implement instructional strategies and activities that motivate
and interest students
Rationale: It is essential to ensure that students are motivated, and interested in the
material that is being taught. I am a firm believer in having several variations of
instructional strategies and activities in order to enhance student learning. However, I
want to find ways to utilize more instructional strategies when teaching. I have found that
I am the most comfortable lecturing, and realize I need to become more comfortable with
other strategies. I want to make sure that all my students are engaged during the learning
process. In order to accomplish this task, I will include various teaching strategies and
activities including: lecture, video, group work, discussion, projects, etc.
KSA linkage: there are many approaches to teaching and learning. They know a broad
range of instructional strategies appropriate to their area of specialization and the develop
and implement their own professional development activities (i)

Goal #3: Build positive and meaningful relationships with the grade 6 team as well
as the other staff at Wilson Middle School.
Rationale: I want to establish a close relationship with all the grade 6 teachers. I believe
that this will generate a closer relationship to my colleagues as well. I believe that team
teaching is a positive and necessary. In addition, this will help me establish a

collaborative classroom environment. I have never had the opportunity to team teach
before, and I believe that it will be a very beneficial one.
KSA linkage: The importance of contributing, independently and collegially, to the
quality of their school. They know the strategies whereby they can, independently and
collegially, enhance and maintain the quality of their schools to the benefit of students,
parents, community and colleagues (n)
B. Strategies (How will I go about achieving my goals?)
Strategies for addressing Goal #1:
i. I will seek advice from other staff members on how they assess students, and
what seems to work best for them. I would also like to watch other teachers
assess students as I believe this would be most effective for me.
ii. I will further research ways in which to effectively establish, create, and
implement assessment practices. This will be done using online resources.
iii. I will ask for feedback from my TA, School Admin, and University Consultant
with regards to my assessment practices.

Strategies for addressing Goal #2:

i. I will seek advice from other staff members on the different types of instructional
strategies and activities that they use.
ii. I will use various instructional strategies that meet diverse learning needs of all
my students. I will have to differentiate instructional approaches and activities
accordingly, depending on the needs of my students. Specific examples that I
want to work on during the internship include: collaborative learning, critical
thinking, and active learning.
iii. Furthermore, I will research more instructional strategies and activities through
several resources, in order to become familiar with different ways to attend to my
students needs (this will happen once I get to know my students).

Strategies for addressing Goal #3:

i. Collaborate as much as possible with team members (regarding students,
planning, instruction, etc.)
ii. Spend time in the staff room in order to further develop a relationship with team
members and other staff
iii. Become involved in extracurricular activities that team members may be
involved with

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. When I develop effective, and proper assessment practices in each lesson and
unit, whether it be formative or summative.
ii. When I become fully confident in establishing, creating, and implementing my
assessment practices in the classroom
iii. When my TA, School Admin, and University Consultant believe I am doing
effective and proper assessment practices.

Indicators of Progress for Goal #2:

i. When I have implemented several different instructional strategies and activities
(collaborative learning, critical thinking, and active learning) that meet students
diverse learning needs into my lessons.
ii. When I see that students are motivated and interested in the material that is being
taught.
iii. When I feel confident in my abilities to incorporate several different strategies
and activities into my lessons.

Indicators of Progress for Goal #3:

i. When I have established close relationships with the grade 6 teaching team, as
well as all staff at Wilson Middle School.
ii. When I have successfully incorporated team teaching strategies and resources
into my lessons and classroom.
iii. When I have become involved in extracurricular activities that help me develop
closer relationships to all staff members.

D. Timeline for Completion

These goals will be implemented and completed during the PSIII internship, which is from
September-December. Each of these goals are intended to be an ongoing process, which I will
then be able to reflect on during the end of the internship.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------E. Summary of Growth and Goals Achieved (Final plan only)
F. Reflections of Professional Growth (Final plan only)