Teacher Professional Growth Plan

PSIII Intern: Kaylie Amundson

School: Uplands Elementary School

Semester:Fall 2016
Mentor: Marlyssa Willford

Professional Goal #1:

Confidence
Rationale:
I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself. I want to be confident in my ideas and plans, and hope that
translates into the classroom.
Teaching Quality Standard(s)/KSA(s):
C,D,F
Strategy(s):
Timeline( Resource(
Indicator(s) of
s)
s)
Success
1. Time Management
Sept-Dec
Have 1 full week planned
ahead
2. Accept mistakes, and cultivate a growth mindset. Find the good Sept-Dec
Reflection/S Positive learning
in everyday.
elf
experiences
Evaluation
3.
Reflection(s):
To what extent are my strategies helping me achieve this professional goal?
o By making certain that I plan my lessons in advance I am able to create time for myself, which has definitely added
to the positive experience that I have had. By cultivating a growth mindset, I have managed to accept lessons that
dont always go as planned, and leave home happy looking forward to the next day. This has been a difficult thing to
manage previously, but has created a positive impact on my learning, growth and over all professional III
experience.
In what ways is my professional practice improving toward these KSAs?
o I think accepting how each lesson goes, good or bad, and being confident in my planning, I have been more open to
taking risks, and trying new things. This has become a critical part of my planning process; and I value implementing
activities that the students will not only enjoy, but have the most take away from. In doing so, I have been able to
creatively explore the different subject areas, and have become more confident in my own understanding of the
material.
To what extent are my strategies impacting student learning?
o In feeling confident in my plans, I am better able to create lessons that engage the students and are geared to their
learning preferences. When I dont have to worry so much about the plan, I can focus on improving my
management, voice etc., As someone my students look up too, I also think fostering a growth mindset is critical.
Essentially we are in the same place, both students learning something new. If I can model positive thinking and
demonstrate the value of mistakes etc., then I think learning can be more authentic and go beyond any lesson
planned.
Professional Goal #2:
Sproule, 2016

 Involvement
Rationale:
I have the opportunity to involve my self in more ways than one, since I only teach time. I want to
contribute my time where I can.
Teaching Quality Standard(s):
N
Strategy(s):
Timeline( Resource(
Indicator(s) of
s)
s)
Success
1. Volunteer for an afterschool club.
Sept- Dec
School
Attend each session I
Opportuniti signed up for Art Club
es
every Friday
2. Help set up for Christmas concert
Nov-Dec
Staff/Schoo Seeing the concert come
l
together
3. Observe other classroom teachers
Sept - Dec Uplands
Observe at least 5
Staff
teachers
Reflection(s):
To what extent are my strategies helping me achieve this professional goal?
o I signed up for the art club which I have been attending each Friday. By joining this club I have been able to connect
with students and staff that I do not normally see or work with. By becoming involved through clubs or set up, I am
able to use my time and talents to help others where I can. In November I also began helping to make sandwiches as
part of the lunch program.
In what ways is my professional practice improving toward these KSAs?
o By observing teachers, both experienced and in their first years, I am able to grow my toolbox of strategies, and
discover who I am as a teacher. I have discovered a variety of teaching and management strategies that I can
implement into my own teaching. By doing so I have been able to explore ways to reach a variety of learners, as well
as a variety of approaches to lessons being taught. The small contributions I can make by helping prepare
sandwiches or assist in art club or the Christmas concert doesnt require a whole lot of work, however I have been
happy to help and work with a variety of staff members in doing so.
To what extent are my strategies impacting student learning?
o By observing other teachers, I have been able to learn from peoples experiences, and consider new teaching
strategies and activities. The more I continue to learn and grow; I truly do believe I will be impacting the learning of
my own students. Finding new ways to teach students and bringing new ideas to the classroom is important.
o Making sandwiches has not taken a lot of my time and it certainly is a small gesture, however I do think it has had
the greatest impact. Its easy to neglect the fact that some students come to school hungry and without a lunch. If I
can help prepare a meal to fuel a childs day, I know that they will learn more effectively and have a more successful
day overall.
Professional Goal #3:
Sproule, 2016

 Communication
Rationale:
I dont want to create more work for myself by trying to do everything on my own. I
communication with my students parents.
Teaching Quality Standard(s):
G,H,L,N,O,P
Strategy(s):
Timeline Resource
(s)
(s)
1. Receive cell phone # from Marlyssa
Prior to
Marlyssa
Practicum
2. Post on Class Dojo to update parents
Sept- Dec Class Dojo
App

want to build

Indicator(s) of
Success
Add #to contact list
Positive response from
parents. Post at least 2
times a week.

3.
Reflection(s):
To what extent are my strategies helping me achieve this professional goal?
o The strategies that I have put in place provide modes of communication that are important to both my growth and
the growth of my students. I have a wonderful mentor who has made herself available to me before, during and after
school hours. Having an open line of communication has helped me grow as an educator and has certainly made for
an incredible experience. Class Dojo offers many perks for parents, so it was not hard to have them jump on board
with this form of communication. I am connected to parents at all hours of the day, and am able to reach them
instantly is need be.
In what ways is my professional practice improving toward these KSAs?
o As I am working towards the completion of my professional semester III, I have been able to grow my relationships
with the parents via class dojo, parent teacher interviews, and report cards and after school pick up. The
communication between teacher, student and parents is vital to a successful year; I think the steps I have made to
connect with parents demonstrate a number of the KSAs.
To what extent are my strategies impacting student learning?
o The Class Dojo system has proven to be a wonderful communicator between parents, and myself, as well, between
parents and students. By posting comments and pictures reflecting student work and learning, opportunity for
discussion and extended learning is enabled.
o However, I did not get around to posting 2 times every week. Some weeks it was 2 posts, sometimes 1 and in some
cases not at all. I will have to make sure I continue working on making this aspect of my professional growth a
priority.

Sproule, 2016