Professional Development Plan Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Professional Development Plan - Research Paper Example This paper will create a professional development plan for a teacher who is committed to creating an academically and culturally diverse classroom. It will also include a timetable for meeting the goals and a thorough explanation of how the goals will be met. Finally, the paper will address any obstacles that might hinder an educator from reaching the goals and what the educator will do to overcome them. Professional Development Plan (Sample) Name: Will Smith Background/Teaching Context Classes You Teach: 11th and 8th Grade Mathematics, 8th Grade Physics and 6th Grade Web Design. Describe Your Classroom Population: I teach at an independent K-12 school, in a middle school, in the urban California community. Even though, the school is independent, the mathematics and science curriculums strive to reflect the state and national standards. For this reason, the school only incorporates students who do not do well academically. Describe Your Classroom and Students: My Classroom is approxi mately 11 by 8 meters with 20 desks all occupied. However, the classroom is filled with white students who do not do well academically. Teaching Philosophy: My teaching philosophy focuses on identifying the unique values of every student. Each learner should bring unique preferences, experiences, knowledge and skills to the table. My goal as an educator is to create an academically and culturally diverse classroom where learners feel free to interact and mingle with others. They should also ask questions freely to and take part in activities and discussions. We are all mathematicians and scientists. Everyday people observer and gather data or information to solve them so that they could make sense in their lives (Stiles & Mundry, 2009). Mathematics and science are, therefore, significant subjects in students’ lives. Discipline Knowledge Areas of Strength 1. Mathematics: My Bachelor’s Degree is in Mathematics. I tend to be incredibly strong in mathematical concepts, whi ch apply to the daily reasoning of someone’s life. 2. Physics: I also hold a Masters degree in Physics. I grew up loving physics and took it as a Masters course after completing my Mathematics Degree. Areas of Improvement 1. Biology: Biology is an area I struggle with. I only took basic classes, in biology, while in high school, but dropped it after the main course selection. I have been urged a couple of times that I need to understand biology in order to understand the way people function, but I consider this more of a psychological matter than biology. 2. Communication skills. Even though, I consider the way I communicate, with others, to be fair enough, it is always essential to do the best in everything. Goals and Objectives 1. Mindset, Learning and Environment Differentiation: My goal is to set up a classroom for students with different mindsets academically. This means that the class will comprise of students who either want to be scientists, musicians, journalists, or any other job. The classroom should also incorporate students who view academics as a tool that opens their minds instead of just a career tool. My second goal is to create an environment, which includes students from diverse cultures instead of the usual white community. I seek to create an integrated classroom to support the integrated missions of