Here's the News: My Development as a Professional Educator
Self- Assessment-My professional growth goal is to be a better teacher for my students. I feel like that is a lifelong goal. I will always be doing what I can to self-improve and to better run my classroom. There will always be things to learn and do that can help benefit my students. My goal is to remain open to those things and to accept that no matter how many years of teaching I have under my belt that there will always be something to learn and I will never be an "expert". In my initial self assessment I was still exploring each standard and how I could incorportate them into my teaching and classroom. Now I'm at the stage where I can apply most of those concepts and I have a better understanding of what they mean and how I can use them. I've found that my strength lies in my determination and my willingness to listen to advice. I was most surprised by my ability to remain focused and determined. There were days when sticking to the schedule was hard but I knew that things would be easier in the long run if I stuck to what I knew I should be doing.
A professional goal I'm interested in after the induction process is over is, National Board Certification. This is something that my coach mentioned to me last year and again this year. I'm interested in learning more about this process, what it entails, and the benefits and/or cons of it. From what my coach has told me it sounds like something that I might want to pursue in the future. I know I have to teach another year before I can start applying for this. I also know that it involves recording videos and writing papers. I will know if I've attained this goal if the board approves me and gives me the certification.
The actions I can take to remain connected as an education is to continue to collaborate with the teachers on my campus as well as the educators in my district when we meet for in-service meetings. I can also connect with other teachers through blogs and websites like Teachers Pay Teachers.
I can sustain my passion for teaching, learning, and for my students by firstly taking care of myself. I can sustain my passion for my profession by making sure I take the time needed for myself to recharge and rest. By making sure I take time off when I'm sick, and by trying not to take work home with me. I can keep from burning out by focusing on classroom management and routines, and creating a schedule that I follow to the best of my ability. Taking pride in the small achievements and remembering how far my class has come from the beginning of the year till now, and finding positives about all my students is also a great way to help sustain my passion for my profession. Staying in touch with other, more experienced teachers who can give me advice for my classroom and on how to avoid burn out is also a good way to help sustain my passion for teaching.
"In working with Candyce over these last two years, I have seen her confidence grow in her teaching practice. She has taken the initiative to explore different strategies and collect new resources to enrich her instruction, from finding and creating new ways to collect student data, to news ways to engage her students and manage behavior. Her warm and positive personality is evident in her interactions with her students. Candyce would be a teacher I would choose for my own child!" -Nicoli Ueda (My coach)
The advice I have for new teachers is to stick with it. In the beginning it might be rocky but eventually things will smooth out. Be prepared to work hard and for the school year to be an emotional roller coaster but stick with it. Start the year off how you mean to go on. Establish the rules, routines, and expectations of the class and then reinforce them through out the whole year. Don't be afraid to try new things or to keep things simple. Ask for advice when you need it and even when you don't. Try your best to stay organized and to keep work at work. Take small breaks as needed and have fun!