Standard 8.2 states, “Growing and Developing Professionally- Teacher welcomes feedback from colleagues when made by supervisors or when opportunities arise through professional collaboration.” To me this standard says that a teacher is never done growing within their profession, and should welcome all opportunities for feedback. For a teacher to flourish it is crucial that they continue to reflect on their own teaching and find what does and doesn’t make them an effective teacher. To me reflection based on collaborative feedback is in the job description.
I had the opportunity to take EDU 6134 this fall and was able to learn what collaborative feedback looks like in the world of teaching. During the class we had multiple opportunities do find different organizations that could help us grow as teachers. After research we responded as to what organizations we thought would help us grow the most as teachers. This is a table that shows my thoughts on what I thought would help me to continue to grow professionally and what kind of groups I would like to collaborate with.
Professional Organizations Webquest
This research document shows that I have been introduced to some of the ways that I could grow professionally. It also shows what kind of development that interesting in pursuing. I have so much room to grow within this standard, but I feel as though this class has given me a solid introduction to the standard. I have learned that professional growth doesn’t have to just occur within the school that you are working with. Previously I thought that the only collaborative work that a teacher could participate in was between their principal and fellow teachers at their school. Now, I don’t want to diminish the importance of that whatsovever, but rather highlight that I now know there are also many different opportunities to reach for outside of your home school
In the future I would love to actually join one of these organizations and go to some of the workshops so I can continue to build my teaching toolkit. These opportunities will not only help me as a teacher but will also help my students because I will be able to gain the knowledge on how to differentiate and meet each students unique needs.I am a firm believer in the saying two heads are better than one, and it is such a blessing that I am entering a profession that thinks the same way.
Sydney Clark 