Running Head: LOOKING FORWARD

Looking Forward
Heather Coates
National University

Running Head: LOOKING FORWARD

Abstract
In this paper I will outline my goals for my professional development throughout the next
five years of my multiple subject teaching credential. This plan will be a portion of my eportfolio, along with many different artifacts to support the six domains of the California
Teaching Performance Expectations. The sixth domain, Domain F is developing as a
professional educator. TPE 12 is about Professional, Legal and Ethical Obligations. TPE 13 is all
about Professional Growth. Planning for the next five years of my career as a teacher will allow
me to reflect and outline what I will do to grow as a professional educator.

Running Head: LOOKING FORWARD

My Professional Development Plan

Education is not a product; it is a never-ending process (Wong, p. 17). This is not just a
statement true for students, but true for teachers as well. As soon as a teacher gets comfortable
and stops learning and growing as an educator, they are no longer benefiting their students.
Educators must continually grow and adjust their teaching to best fit the students they have. Not
only are standards constantly changing, but technology and the students we teach are also ever
changing. Professional growth opportunities allow educators to learn and grow to better fit the
needs of students.
As an educator, I plan to utilize many different tools to grow and learn. Some tools that
can assist with my growth and learning are different books that allow me to read about methods
of instruction that have worked for other teachers. Since I have yet to experience setting up my
own classroom, reading the book The First Six Weeks of School by Paula Denton and Roxann
Kriete. Another book that I have interest in reading discusses getting students engaged and
interested in learning in the classroom, it is called The Highly Engaged Classroom by Robert J.
Marzano and Debra J. Pickering. Reading informative, self-learn books as an educator can give
insight into ideas that one may not have had knowledge of otherwise. Participating in reading
builds knowledge for educators which allows them to implement new ideas and strategies in the
classroom.
Professional development allows for collaboration with colleagues and other teaching
professionals which gives everyone involved the opportunity for growth. Collaborating with
those who are on my grade level team will allow me to reflect on my teaching to better suit my
students. Allowing my principal, PPAP advisor, and other colleagues to observe my teaching and
my classroom, and give constructive criticism will allow me to grow as a teacher and a

Running Head: LOOKING FORWARD

professional. Having experienced peers and colleagues observe and give advice on my teaching
will allow me to develop and see aspects that I may not be able to see otherwise.
My 5 Year Plan
Timeline

Professional Goal
Read The First Six Weeks of School by Paula Denton
and Roxann Kriete
Meet with grade level team to discuss and plan big
picture items. This will allow for collaboration.

Year 1
Meet with my PPAP (Poway Professional
Assistance Program) advisor to receive advice and
constructive criticism to grow as an educator. Meet
with principal to discuss goals and expectations
being met.
Read The Highly Engaged Classroom by Robert J.
Marzano and Debra J. Pickering

Year 2

Continue meeting with grade level team to

collaborate and build overall plan for year
Continue meeting with both PPAP advisor and
principal to receive critiques and advice as how to
continue my growth.
Continue collaboration with grade level team.
Sign up for two Teaching and Learning Cooperative
(TLC) classes offered in the district.

Year 3

One TLC I am interested in taking is

MyConnect101Learning Beyond the Classroom.
This course offers teachers the ability to grow their
online classroom website making it easier for
students to access material outside of the classroom.
The other TLC I am interested in taking is Teaching
to Engage Student Learning. This course teaches
educators how to use technology to grow
collaboration, critical thinking, deeper learning and
engagement.

Running Head: LOOKING FORWARD

The TLC classes will allow me to collaborate with

other educators, it will also allow me to include new
and innovative teaching in my classroom.
Continue collaboration with grade level team.
Collaborate with other grade level teachers to
develop my teaching and content so that students are
able to succeed in further grades.
Year 4

Complete 2 TLC classes. TLC classes lead to an

increase in pay as it is a professional development
item in our school district.
Attend trainings in math and science so that I can
become a more effective teacher.
Continue collaboration with grade level team.
Attend a seminar developed for educators.

Year 5

Complete one TLC course per semester.

Revisit my e-portfolio so that I can reflect on my
growth as a teacher, and any areas in which I can
adjust to further grow.

The first two years of my five-year plan include collaboration with my grade level team,
meeting with my PPAP advisor, and the principal to hear critique and constructive criticism as to
how I can grow as an educator. I have chosen to read two books during the first years so that I
can engage in learning on my own, this will allow me to incorporate different techniques and
experiences in my classroom. I find it very important to collaborate with my colleagues so that I
can see what has worked for them in their careers. Speaking to colleagues who have been
educators will allow me to learn from their experience.
In the third year of my plan, I will have finished my PPAP program. I will begin taking
TLC courses so that I can continue adapting my teaching to best fit the students I am teaching,

Running Head: LOOKING FORWARD

and the technology I am teaching with. I will still collaborate with my grade level team so that
we can plan large picture activities and field trips. I find this beneficial as they will probably
have had more experience as teachers therefore providing me with knowledge I may have not
otherwise known of.
In my fourth and fifth years I will continue taking TLC courses and begin taking even
more. The TLC course benefit me as a teacher as they are on different topics, including
technology, reading, math, etc. The TLC courses also provide an increase in pay if enough
credits are taken. I have included some district trainings, along with seminars so that I can hear
from others ways that are effective to teach subjects such as science and math. I find it extremely
important in my career to continually develop and educate myself so that I can be the best
teacher possible for my students.

Running Head: LOOKING FORWARD

References
California Teacher Performance Expectations. (2013, March). http://www.ctc.ca.gov/educatorprep/standards/adopted-TPEs-2013.pdf

Costantino P.M. & De Lorenzo M.N., (2009). Developing a Professional Teaching Portfolio: A
guide for Success. Upper Saddle River, NJ.

Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (1998). The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher.
Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.