LOOKING FORWARD 1

TED 690-Assignment 2: Looking Forward

National University

Katelynn Estrada
LOOKING FORWARD 2

Abstract

In reflecting on the next five years of my teaching career it is exciting to consider all of the

potential opportunities available for continuing my education and for advancing through the

education system. I plan to increase my knowledge of best practices and pedagogy through

ongoing professional development, continuing education and various collaboration with peers.

This document includes my five-year plan for the next phase of my career as an educator.
LOOKING FORWARD 3

Professional Development Planning

Effective educators are never done learning. As new research emerges, teachers must

continue to enhance their skills as educators. Additionally, curriculum, new instructional

methods, changes in laws and evolving school procedures all require adaptations by teachers in

their practice.

A professional development plan is a way of outlining ones needs for professional growth

and strategies to achieve this growth. A professional development plan allows teachers to set

goals and outline the steps needed to achieve these goals over the course of their career.

My Professional Development Plan: Setting the Context

As a first-year teacher, there are many areas of doubt I have in regard to my teaching

practice. From assessment to classroom management, I am constantly looking at ways to

improve my practice. My plan to improve these areas of my practice is to continue my

commitment to continuing education and participation in ongoing professional development.

Over the next few years I am hoping to solidify some basic elements within my teaching

practice. For example, making decisions in regard to my classroom management. As a first-year

teacher it sometimes feels that I am in survival mode. Each day I am trying out lessons and

activities for the first time and laying a foundation for my future teaching practice.

There are several major areas where I am hoping to improve my practice. First,

differentiating assessment is something that I hope to spend a significant amount of time on in

my later years of teaching. I plan to improve my ability to differentiate instruction by attending

ongoing Teaching and Learning Cooperative classes with my school district.

I also hope to collaborate with peers and learn best practices in teaching social studies. I

will achieve this by attending conferences, seminars and other professional development
LOOKING FORWARD 4

opportunities specifically for social studies instructors. These include attending the National

Center for Social Studies annual conference in addition to those offered by the California

Council for the Social Studies. These conferences will provide me with the opportunity for

professional development and peer collaboration.

My five-year plan also includes continuing my education in order to seek achieve the

following: an administrative services credential and also National Board-Certification. Though I

am not positive if I want to pursue administration, it was recommended to me obtain an

administrative credential in order to keep moving up the pay scale within my district. I am also

interested in becoming a Nationally Board-Certified teacher in order to demonstrate my

commitment to ongoing development and to serve in a leadership role at my school and within

my district.
LOOKING FORWARD 5

Timeline for Professional Development Plan

Year Goals
2018-2019 Complete Master’s Degree in Best Practices

Complete Induction Program Year 1 to obtain Clear Teaching

Credential

Attend Economics Teaching Conference in San Diego

Attend various Teaching and Learning Cooperative courses through my

school district

2019-2020 Complete Induction Program Year 2 to obtain Clear Teaching

Credential

Attend National Center for Social Studies annual Conference

Attend various Teaching and Learning Cooperative courses through my

school district

2020-2021 Attend 2020 Vision for Social Studies Conference

Seek position teaching Advanced Placement history class

Attend various Teaching and Learning Cooperative courses through my

school district

2021-2022 Begin California Administrative Services Credential

Attend various Teaching and Learning Cooperative courses through my

school district

2022-2023 Serve as Social Studies Department Chair

Attend various Teaching and Learning Cooperative courses through my

school district

2023-2024 Begin process to become a Nationally Board-Certified Teacher

Attend various Teaching and Learning Cooperative courses through my

school district
LOOKING FORWARD 6

Procedure for Sharing my Professional Development Proposal

Committing to professional development can be a challenge for educators. The benefit of

a five-year development plan is that it allows teachers to outline their goals and create an

attainable path for achieving these professional milestones. I plan on sharing my professional

development proposal with administration leaders, department members and fellow teachers.

I will share this plan with my school leadership and colleagues in order to showcase my

commitment to professional develop and to serve as an example for my peers. Additionally, I

will bring the information and knowledge I attain through ongoing professional development to

my school site to share with others.

Artifacts Included for Reflection Domain F

In planning for the future, it is also necessary to consider past experiences in professional

development. As a first-year teacher, I am currently going through the induction program within

my school district to clear my credential and therefore am expected to participate in ongoing

reflection both with my consultant and without. Additionally, I am provided with the opportunity

to attend many professional development workshops and seminars through my district.

The first artifact that I have chosen to include was from a workshop I attended that was

centered around student engagement. This workshop was led by a district teacher named Tony

Manly who is an expert on facilitating student engagement in the classroom. A veteran science

teacher, Mr. Manley offered several meaningful recommendations on how best to facilitate

student engagement. One recommendation was to incorporate more gaming and competition into

the classroom. My artifact is a screenshot from a Jeopardy game I created through google slides

on the French Revolution. The use of Jeopardy games, Kahoot and other team competitions has
LOOKING FORWARD 7

been successful in my classroom. This has shown to be an excellent tool for student engagement

and also has served an alternative form of assessment in the classroom.

The second artifact that I chose was from a post observation meeting with my induction

program consultant. I selected this artifact because it represents my progress on my induction

program. Part of my program requirement is to be observed by my consultant and then choose

“what went well” and “next best steps” within each observation. My consultant and I then

discuss the observations and reflect on ways to improve my practice together. Though these

types of observations can be intimidating as a first-year teacher, it is incredibly beneficial as it

requires me to reflect on my teaching with the guidance of an experienced educator. My

consultant provides real and meaningful feedback and offers actual strategies to implement in my

classroom. This type of consistent feedback and reflection has been invaluable as a new teacher.

The last artifact for Domain F is a literature review on the article The Case for

Meaningful Professional Development by authors Linda Hopping and Ruthie Stevenson.

This article focuses on the importance of providing professional development for teachers.

There are numerous methods for providing meaningful professional development for

teachers. Regardless of the format of professional development being offered, it is critical

that it be meaningful, job-embedded and relevant for teachers. Additionally, professional

develop goals must include appropriate follow up for participants and also be created by

both teachers and administrators.

LOOKING FORWARD 8

References:

California Teaching Performance Expectations. (2013). Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Retrieved from https://www.ctc.ca.gov/docs/default-source/educator- prep/standards/adopted-

tpes-2013.pdf