Professional Development
As I hope all my students will be, I am a lifelong learner. I value the many opportunities I have to learn new things and I dedicate time each week to adding to my knowledge. Professional development keeps me motivated and excited about what I do each day.
Conferences
I find conferences to be a great way to re-energize my teaching. There are so many good ideas available at a conference, as well as an opportunity to interact with creative thinkers in education.
Education conferences I have attended include:
National Association for the Education of Young Children: 2007 (Chicago) and 2009 (Washington, D.C.)
Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children: 2008 and 2010-Presenter (Indianapolis)
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference: 2011 (Indianapolis)
Memberships
I find memberships to professional organizations very useful. Not only do they usually come with a journal subscription, but the information available on their websites is priceless. My list of memberships is somewhat short right now, but I hope to add to the list as I figure out what will provide the most relevant information for me once I have a classroom of my own.
Current Memberships
International Society for Technology in Education
National Science Teachers Association
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Phi Delta Kappa
Presentations
I was fortunate enough to have a proposal for a conference presentation selected in 2010. At the IAEYC conference I presented a session called, "Food Allergies at School: Keeping Kids Safe Without Making Ourselves Nuts" concerning food allergies in the classroom. I once had 8 different severe food allergies in one classroom of children, so I thought it would be helpful to share what I'd learned. Click the image below to read the handout I prepared for the presentation.
Conferences
I find conferences to be a great way to re-energize my teaching. There are so many good ideas available at a conference, as well as an opportunity to interact with creative thinkers in education.
Education conferences I have attended include:
National Association for the Education of Young Children: 2007 (Chicago) and 2009 (Washington, D.C.)
Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children: 2008 and 2010-Presenter (Indianapolis)
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference: 2011 (Indianapolis)
Memberships
I find memberships to professional organizations very useful. Not only do they usually come with a journal subscription, but the information available on their websites is priceless. My list of memberships is somewhat short right now, but I hope to add to the list as I figure out what will provide the most relevant information for me once I have a classroom of my own.
Current Memberships
International Society for Technology in Education
National Science Teachers Association
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Phi Delta Kappa
Presentations
I was fortunate enough to have a proposal for a conference presentation selected in 2010. At the IAEYC conference I presented a session called, "Food Allergies at School: Keeping Kids Safe Without Making Ourselves Nuts" concerning food allergies in the classroom. I once had 8 different severe food allergies in one classroom of children, so I thought it would be helpful to share what I'd learned. Click the image below to read the handout I prepared for the presentation.
During the final stages of my student teaching I also took part in a panel for future student teachers to help give them a sense of what they would be experiencing during their student teaching placements. I found that the discussions I had with the other student teachers were just as valuable to me as anything I shared with the audience.
I believe it is important for teachers to share what they learn so that we can all improve our teaching.
I believe it is important for teachers to share what they learn so that we can all improve our teaching.
Informal Education
I take advantage of as many learning opportunities presented to me as I can. For example, during my student teaching, the literacy coach for the school offered a class to familiarize teachers with the Daily 5 and CAFE frameworks. This class took place after school and allowed teachers to share how their classroom implementations were going. I found this group to be very helpful in the realities of attempting new ways of doing things in the classroom.
Reading
I do a LOT of reading! I follow many educational blogs and I read books that are recommended by colleagues, friends, and online sources. With both a university library and a fabulous public library nearby, I am never at a loss for something to read.
Recently Read Educational Books
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, by Daniel H. Pink
Mechanically Inclined: Building Grammar, Usage, and Style into Writer's Workshop, by Jeff Anderson
Learning Outside The Lines: Two Ivy League Students with Learning Disabilities and ADHD Give You the Tools for Academic Success and Educational Revolution, by Jonathon Mooney and David Cole
Lost at School: Why Our Kids with Behavioral Challenges are Falling Through the Cracks and How We Can Help Them, by Ross W. Greene
The Teachable Moment: Seizing the Instants When Children Learn, by Rebecca Branstetter
Mastery Learning in the Science Classroom: Success for Every Student, by Kelly Morgan
Frequently Read Blogs and Sites (Partial List)
Teaching Channel
Edutopia
Linking and Thinking on Education, by Joanne Jacobs
NSTA Blog
Responsive Classroom Blog
Current Educational Magazine Subscriptions
Phi Delta Kappan
Science & Children
Teaching Children Mathematics
Young Children
Collaboration
I am thrilled by the current trend in increased teacher collaboration. As a preschool teacher I was part of one or more teaching teams. Rather than a lead teacher and a co-teacher, we were all co-teachers. I found that having other people around helps to make me a better teacher for my students. Two minds are better than one, and a whole groups of minds can be amazing.
Technology
From my previous career as a business and technology consultant, I have a firm foundation in technology. I believe that technology can be a great instructional tool when used appropriately. I am always eager to try new technologies, but I do not use technology for technology's sake. It must serve an educational purpose. I am comfortable learning new technologies and implementing them in the classroom
Accreditation
During my last year as a preschool teacher our school was re-accredited by NAEYC. While it was a time-consuming effort, I found that it helped me to focus on areas that needed improvement as well as to celebrate the ways we were very successful. Accreditation is yet another opportunity to learn about one's teaching, and I would not hesitate to be part of a team facilitating accreditation at a school because of the process' value.
Field Placement Students
While I was a preschool teacher I was the cooperating teacher for three different field placement students. Working with their supervisors and being responsible for evaluating them gave me new insights into my own performance as a teacher. I believe it is necessary for teachers to open their classrooms to those who would follow in their footsteps. I welcome observers and participants in my learning environment.
I take advantage of as many learning opportunities presented to me as I can. For example, during my student teaching, the literacy coach for the school offered a class to familiarize teachers with the Daily 5 and CAFE frameworks. This class took place after school and allowed teachers to share how their classroom implementations were going. I found this group to be very helpful in the realities of attempting new ways of doing things in the classroom.
Reading
I do a LOT of reading! I follow many educational blogs and I read books that are recommended by colleagues, friends, and online sources. With both a university library and a fabulous public library nearby, I am never at a loss for something to read.
Recently Read Educational Books
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, by Daniel H. Pink
Mechanically Inclined: Building Grammar, Usage, and Style into Writer's Workshop, by Jeff Anderson
Learning Outside The Lines: Two Ivy League Students with Learning Disabilities and ADHD Give You the Tools for Academic Success and Educational Revolution, by Jonathon Mooney and David Cole
Lost at School: Why Our Kids with Behavioral Challenges are Falling Through the Cracks and How We Can Help Them, by Ross W. Greene
The Teachable Moment: Seizing the Instants When Children Learn, by Rebecca Branstetter
Mastery Learning in the Science Classroom: Success for Every Student, by Kelly Morgan
Frequently Read Blogs and Sites (Partial List)
Teaching Channel
Edutopia
Linking and Thinking on Education, by Joanne Jacobs
NSTA Blog
Responsive Classroom Blog
Current Educational Magazine Subscriptions
Phi Delta Kappan
Science & Children
Teaching Children Mathematics
Young Children
Collaboration
I am thrilled by the current trend in increased teacher collaboration. As a preschool teacher I was part of one or more teaching teams. Rather than a lead teacher and a co-teacher, we were all co-teachers. I found that having other people around helps to make me a better teacher for my students. Two minds are better than one, and a whole groups of minds can be amazing.
Technology
From my previous career as a business and technology consultant, I have a firm foundation in technology. I believe that technology can be a great instructional tool when used appropriately. I am always eager to try new technologies, but I do not use technology for technology's sake. It must serve an educational purpose. I am comfortable learning new technologies and implementing them in the classroom
Accreditation
During my last year as a preschool teacher our school was re-accredited by NAEYC. While it was a time-consuming effort, I found that it helped me to focus on areas that needed improvement as well as to celebrate the ways we were very successful. Accreditation is yet another opportunity to learn about one's teaching, and I would not hesitate to be part of a team facilitating accreditation at a school because of the process' value.
Field Placement Students
While I was a preschool teacher I was the cooperating teacher for three different field placement students. Working with their supervisors and being responsible for evaluating them gave me new insights into my own performance as a teacher. I believe it is necessary for teachers to open their classrooms to those who would follow in their footsteps. I welcome observers and participants in my learning environment.