An
Action Plan for Growth and Success
Theresa London Cooper
“Save
some time for reflection each day. Examine what you’re doing
and why. Have a plan. You want your teaching to be more than a series
of knee-jerk reactions.”
Robert D. Ramsey, Ed.D
“Only by reflecting on our actions can we increase our
capacity and the likelihood that we will enhance our decisions and
actions in the future.”
Donald Schon
Years ago while perusing a teacher resource book, I noted a section
that addressed the importance of teachers having an individual professional
development plan to guide their thinking, learning and growth. That
motivated me to set goals, reflect on my practice, and monitor my
growth.
Sometime later, while attending a leadership seminar, one of the
presenters shared some interesting research. She stated the following:
- 87% of people don’t have goals.
- 10% of people have goals but don’t write them down.
- 3% of people have written goals.
- The 3% accomplish 50 to 100 times more of their goals than others.
Now the hard part: How do you start
developing a plan for growth?
Begin by thinking about the professional you are and the professional
you would like to become. The plan is likely to evolve with time
reflecting your growth, so don’t be afraid to modify it as
you progress through your career.
Think about the professional teaching standards and other professional
habits that you possess and jot them down. Reflect upon those areas
that you would like to strengthen. Just as you assess your students’
growth, determine how you will assess your growth. It helps to start
with one practical goal that will facilitate growth in your current
role.
Below is a portion of my professional growth plan. Yours will naturally
be different, but you can use mine as a guideline.
My Professional Development
Growth Plan
SHORT TERM GOALS:
Goal #1: Improve effective listening skills
Actions
- Take seminar to acquire strategies
( February 12th, February 13th, March 12th, March 13th)
- Identify opportunities to practice what I have learned
- Maintain “professional study buddy” relationships
- Read relevant materials
Assessment
- Get feedback from colleagues
Goal #2: Deepen understanding of teaching strategies that
build reading comprehension
Actions
- Join a study group to read about and discuss effective reading
comprehension strategies
Assessment
- Reflect on increased knowledge through journal writing
Goal # 3: Refine leadership skills and content knowledge
related to literacy and leadership
Action
- Attend leadership seminar ( February 27th)
- Attend Aligning Curriculum and Standards Conference ( March
16th)
- Continue writing monthly articles
Assessment
- Consult notes and identify and highlight new information acquired
- Respond to on-line questions by colleagues
LONG TERM GOALS:
Goal #1: Refine skills as an instructor
Actions
- Teach literacy courses
- Read relevant materials
Assessment
- Distribute and read student evaluation forms
Goal #2: Refine leadership skills
Actions
- Join two-year leadership academy to refine and strengthen effective
leadership behaviors.
- Engage in on-going leadership roles
- Complete research project that documents effective leadership
behaviors within the next two years.
Assessment
- Meet with “critical friend” for feedback
- Distribute and read informal surveys
Writing down my specific goals has helped me to focus on what I
want to accomplish, how I will proceed, and how I will assess my
progress.
The plan has also supported reflective thinking, which allows
me to make meaning of my teaching - a conscious and intentional
process that provides time for thinking about practice and how to
refine it.
Lastly, it serves as a reminder of all my accomplishments and
the growth that has taken place. It might lead you to think about
how much satisfaction you experience when you review student work
and see the progress your students have made. You can experience
a similar satisfaction as you review the goals and objectives you
have achieved.
You may choose a format that is appropriate for your learning style
and convenience. But, as professionals it is essential to have an
individual professional growth plan to focus and monitor continual
refinement of your practice. Do it for yourself. Do it for the students
you teach. Then, share it with critical friends.
Do you
have a comment or question about this article? E-mail
Theresa.
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