My Future as a Professional Educator and Difference Maker

Having my own classroom one day has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. I am so eager to share my love of education with my students. My goal is to secure a position in a school community that values support, respect, kindness, equality, and togetherness. As someone who is committed to lifelong learning, I am continuously searching for ways to deepen my knowledge of education and improve my skills. I am open to constructive criticism and suggestions and identify my mistakes as chances for growth. My flexibility and dedication are exemplified through my willingness to adapt, instill important values, motivate my students to excel, and consistently make the classroom a better place.

What Inspires Me

Teaching to Change the World

Being the Change

These two texts support educators in being a part of the change in the world. They have motivated me to implement a social-justice approach to education and teaching and recognize the challenges, disparities, and inequalities within the educational system. As an educator, part of my job is to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to face these situations and make a positive change.

My Strengths

Exceptional qualities and behaviors that have been identified by myself and other professionals.

Teacher presence

Effective and positive management style

Excellent role model for children

Comfortable, confident, and dependable

Conversational teaching tone

Utilize targeted questions and technological tools

Attentive to details

Thorough, prepared, organized, and flexible

Open and appreciative of suggestions and feedback

Self-reflective and proactive

My Future Goals and Growth Plan

Although I display several strengths throughout my lessons, in my delivery and within the classroom, as outlined above, there is always potential for improvement. Below are three specific goals I have set for the future that will benefit my growth and development as a teacher.

Goal #1

Improvement Element: Assessment of P-12 Learning

My goal is to plan a variety of assessments that provide opportunities for learners of varying abilities to illustrate competence, align with the appropriate P-12 state learning standards, are culturally relevant and draw from learners’ funds of knowledge, and promote learner growth. While I have utilized assessments that follow some of these aspects, I have yet to hit all four. To accomplish this, I will collect and analyze data on my students’ understanding and growth in all content areas. This data analysis will guide my subsequent instruction and allow me to tailor it to meet the needs of my students. In my experiences, I have created and implemented summative and formative assessments, including pre and post assessments, as well as exit tickets, quiz quizzes, and warm up activities. In addition, I have promoted self-assessment among my students, employing methods like the thumbs up, thumbs sideways, thumbs down approach or the 1, 2, 3 finger strategy. Moving forward, my priority is to deliver assessments that are culturally responsive, customized to each learners’ level, access their funds of knowledge, and foster growth. It is crucial for me to evaluate the design, purpose, and impact of each assessment to ensure it aligns effectively with these essential elements.