Goals
- My first goal has been to maintain a safe and encouraging classroom management system for my students by continuing to be a lifelong learner myself. One of the best ways to continue practicing my skills is to attend professional developments that provide me with various strategies to support my students and ask for the knowledge and wisdom of veteran teachers on their classroom management systems.
My second goal is to develop management techniques and communication skills that will help my students stay engaged and focused during a lesson or activity.
My third goal has been developing as a Professional Educator by Managing professional responsibilities to maintain motivation and commitment to all students. All while referring to the driving question of “How do I balance my professional goals with my needs for personal wellness?
My last goal is Creating and Maintaining Effective Environments for Student Learning by Establishing and maintaining learning environments that are physically, intellectually, and emotionally safe. All while referring to the driving question of “ How will I support my students to feel safe in a school environment so that they are able to make mistakes without a negative and or emotional effect?
Approach
I approached my first goal by attending as many professional developments as I possibly had time for. While this was helpful and advantageous in me becoming a better teacher I noticed that I also received an immense amount of knowledge by collaborating intensely with my grade level. So much so that our grade level received the PLC superintendent award this year. As a result, I have learned many applicable strategies and techniques for classroom management.
My next goal took an amount of work that I was not anticipating, but it was worth every ounce of energy to get my class to where it is now. With proper and successful classroom management that I continuously work on, my students have developed problem-solving and accountability for their actions in and outside the classroom. This has allowed students to find their voice when tumbling across behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, humanism, and connections in and outside the classroom. Overall enhancing joy in teaching and learning in the classroom.
My third goal was reached by giving myself grace when things didn’t go the way I anticipated them to go. This self work has allowed me to find an outlet that I am passionate about but also keeps me feeling balanced between professional and personal life. This discovery has allowed me to be one hundred percent so I can give one hundred percent to my kids. It has overall improved my teacher wellness.
My last and final goal was reached by allotting time out of our busy test prep days to welcome into the classroom our wonderful counselor. Our counselor taught us how to practice mindfulness throughout our day and how to cope with test anxiety since testing was around the corner at the time.
CSTP Self Assessment:
At the beginning of the year, I was at the emerging and exploring level for most CSTP. After much reflection and trial and tribulation, I believe I have reached applying and even integrating for most concepts. It did not come easy, but with support from my colleagues, hard work and determination to try again after an unsuccessful lesson I have improved my pedagogy. I have grown immensely as a teacher this past year and I hope to continue to grow in the years to come
Strength:
An area of strength for me is my ability to be open minded and connect with my students. This strength has allowed me to be a team player with my colleagues and even with my students. I have allowed my mind to be open to constructive criticism from my colleagues and students. My open mindedness has allowed me to make my classroom feel as safe and welcoming as possible. Through this strength I have also encouraged my students to not be ashamed of who they are and to continue to speak up for themselves and others who need help. I point out when I have made mistakes and model how I can choose to react to my mistakes as I am only human. As a testament to my strength my students feel they have a provided safe space where open mindedness and connections are always welcome.
What I am Most Proud of:
I am most proud of being able to say I am my students biggest fan. To be able to see my students grow in every way this year has been what I am most thankful for. I am most proud of seeing my students overcome academic challenges, emotional endeavors, and being a part of their success. I am most proud of seeing my students become problem solvers, critical thinkers, and curious students. I am also proud of all my families that showed adversity this year. With open communication we were able to conquer more than I could have imagined. I am proud that my first group of 3rd graders showed resilience. Lastly, I am thankful that this group of 3rd graders welcomed me with open arms!
Areas of continuous Growth:
An area of continuous growth for me is to continue learning how to develop more differentiated lessons for my wide range of learners. I caught myself slowing down a lesson for the whole class rather than just for my learners who needed it. As a result, my higher learners didn’t receive the challenge I feel they could have excelled in and mastered. The second area of improvement I would like to get better at is staying consistent with assessing students through reading levels. I feel that if I would have stayed more consistent with that I would have seen higher advancement in reading levels. With that said, I believe that a teacher never stops growing and every year there will be something I know I can be better at.
How I Have Changed:
I have changed immensely this year! From the beginning of the year till now I feel as though it’s night and day. At the beginning of this year I became very overwhelmed with all that comes with being a teacher. So much so that I began to suffer from anxiety attacks. However, I have learned that as a teacher we don’t always have control over everything and that there will always be something to do. To believe we can get it all done in a day is impossible. I have learned that for my sanity I must learn to choose my battles. I learned that it’s just as important to give it your all professionally as it is to give it your all in your personal life as well. I have learned to balance my professional and personal life.
Future Me:
Im excited to be a part of an amazing school district that cares about their educators. Future me sees a teacher of the year. Future me sees a teacher that can continue to connect with students and families. Future me sees bigger collaborations with other educations. Future me sees a career full of prosperity, fulfillment, and intention. This vision of future me allows me to be who I am supposed to be.
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