Professional Development Plan Jeanna Hawkins EDAT 6000 July 13, 2012

Introduction I graduated from Valdosta State University in Dec with a bachelor in music education. I am currently teaching in my fourth year of teaching high school chorus. After December of this year, I will have a master’s degree. Before I reach the age of thirty, I plan to have a doctorate degree. I also want to get a degree in educational leadership, so I can one day become a principal.

Proposition 1: Teachers are Committed to Students and Learning

Strength: Teachers are committed to students and learning (National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, 1987). I teach by using various learning methods in order to get the concept across to all students learning. I do this because I’ve had a lot of teachers that expected me to learn by listening to them teach, but what some fail to realize is that I best learn by doing. I found this to be true with a lot of other students, so I make sure I teach to accommodate all learning styles. Needs Improvement: They respect the cultural and family differences students bring to their classroom (National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, 1987). I do discourage pregnant teens from joining chorus. I need to figure out a way to accommodate these teens. Action Plan: There are many actions I can take in order to respect the cultural and family differences students bring to my classroom. For the teen parents who want to be in chorus, I could require that their parents make a written agreement saying they understand everything that is expected of the students and ask them what accommodations they may need. This way both parties can come to a mutual agreement.

Proposition 2: Teachers Know the Subjects They Teach and How to Teach Those Subjects to Students.

Strength: Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students (National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, 1987). I have been trained to teach music to students in kindergarten to the 12 th grade for seven years. Over these seven years I have learned just about everything there is to know about this subject and techniques on how to teach my students. Needs Improvement: NBCTs have mastery over the subject(s) they teach (National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, 1987). I believe that I could seek out to learn more about chorus, because I have always been in band and never chorus. Action: Since I never had the experience of being in a chorus, I have recently started taking a choral methods and vocal methods class from a private instructor. This will help me gain the experience I need in order to better teach my students.

Proposition 3: Teachers are Responsible for Managing and Monitoring Student Learning.

Strength: Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning (National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, 1987). I deliver effective instruction by making sure it is age appropriate and catches their attention so they will remain motivated. I use various methods of teaching, because I know not all students learn effectively by the same method. Needs Improvement: I access the progress of my new students more than my returning students. I expect my returning students to remember what they have learned, but this is something I may need to improve on. Action: I shouldn’t assume they remember, instead I should do informal assessments. This seems to be an easy and quick way to asses my students.

Proposition 4: Teachers Think Systematically about Their Practice and Learn from Experience.

Strength: Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience (National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, 1987). I model what it means to be an educated person. I don’t use slang or incorrect grammar and encourage my students to do the same. Needs Improvement: Although I am a very good teacher, I don’t stay abreast of current issues in American education. I do watch the news every now and then, but not nearly as much as I should. Action: Although I do have a busy schedule, I could go online to check out the current issues in education during my lunch or planning period. I know these issues are important to me and my job, because it will let me know ahead of time of some upcoming issues in our schools.

Proposition 5: Teachers are Members of Learning Communities.

Strength: Teachers are members of learning communities (National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, 1987). I collaborate with other high school chorale directors within my city. Every year my school’s band director and I combine ensembles to host our annual Christmas concert and spring concert. Needs Improvement: I need to improve on collaborating with parents to engage them productively in the work of the school. Many teachers are able to communicate effectively with parents using what appears to be very little effort (Pearsons Education, 2008). I am the type of teacher that feels the only time I should call a parent is when their child is completely out of control. Action: Their professional responsibilities focus on educating students, in addition to participating in wider activities within the school and in partnership with parents and the community (Intime, 2001). Although I give out calendars with listed performances and practices, I could do a lot more to improve on collaborating with parents to engage them productively in the work of the school. I could ask the parents if they would like to start a chorus booster club. This is also a good way to have some of the fundraiser pressure taken off of me. I could also ask for volunteers to help out with the concerts.

Reference Intime. (2001). Pedagogy. Retrieved from National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. (1987). The Five Core Propositions. Retrieved from Pearsons Education. (2008). Building Partnerships with Parents. Retrieved from m/NR/rdonlyres/73E53CF9-64D B11- 6BCE9E2668CB/0/Building_Partnerships_with_Parents.pdfhttp://