InTASC Standard 9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice
“The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.”
Teachers should promote their own growth by assessing their work and listening to feedback from students, parents, supervisors and colleagues. Additionally, teachers should make every effort to participate in professional development opportunities and learn about evidence-based best practices in their profession. Equipped with this feedback and knowledge, teachers may adjust their methods in order to improve their skills and the learning outcomes of their students.
Three examples of my understanding of this standard include my experience with mentors, membership in VEA, and using technology to receive feedback on my teaching and classroom management skills.
Mentor teachers
Mentors: Working with experienced, master teachers can improve the results of one’s own teaching abilities. I had the benefit of two mentors this academic year. Elizabeth, pictured above, provided constructive criticism after I prepared a lesson for her ninth graders on how to edit and revise their Lord of the Flies essays. After watching me deliver the lesson, she was able to offer feedback on what I did well and what I could improve upon. This feedback and her overall internship evaluation helped me know my strengths and weaknesses as I journeyed into my student teaching experience. The regular feedback I received from my other mentor, Jamie, helped me focus attention on the skill set I need to be a successful teacher. I can honestly say that my initial reluctance to circulate throughout the classroom has evaporated thanks to my mentors’ guidance, observations, suggestions, and encouragement.
Teaching Essay Revision Lesson
Virginia Education Association
Membership: It is incredibly helpful to belong to a professional membership organization. In my twenty-three year career in financial aid, I was a member of both my state and national financial aid organizations. Membership provided me with colleagues I could turn to for guidance and ideas, as well as up-to-date information on best practices via conferences and listservs. I enjoyed the benefits of my state organization, VASFAA, so much that I volunteered my time as their treasurer. Once a teacher, I will renew both my VEA and NEA memberships, as well as join any subject-specific organizations. Additionally, I will participate in professional development opportunities so that I may stay fresh and continue to challenge myself to become the best teacher I can be for my students.
Observations on Camera
Technology as a Mirror: Seeing is believing, as they say. It is very helpful to hold up a mirror to oneself and understand how to improve one’s instructional and classroom management techniques. Videotaping myself teaching, and sharing that video with others, ended up being a fantastic professional development tool. By uploading video clips to the Acclaim platform, my professor and I were able to watch and annotate video clips that a colleague recorded. Without even being in the same room, I was able to get valuable feedback from someone I trust in order to improve. Even after I graduate, I plan on periodically recording myself and getting constructive feedback from peers I trust, if they cannot observe me real time.