West Virginia State University

College of Professional Studies

Department of Education
Professional Development (PD) Reflection

Name:

Major Content Area:

Circle one:
FR SOPH JR SR

PD Topic/Title:


PD Date: PD Units:




Please respond to the following prompts:
1. Summarize the key points you learned from this Professional Development experience.






2. Discuss how these key points connect to your content area.






3. Share how you might use this new information in your future classroom.










Note: Make sure you upload this document to your professional portfolio along with your
scanned PD letter and/or PD certificate.
Matthew Chesebrough
English Education
Spring 2014
10 Units
Book Study with Dr. Waugh
The book, How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity and the Hidden Power of Character, dealt with the
importance of human traits like fortitude, perseverance and grit on the ability for a student to succeed
-The importance of mentors in a students life
-The need for continuous intervention throughout a students academic career and the pitfalls of
temporary guidance
-The discussion of nature vs. nurture in the 21st century classroom and beyond
I am a young male teacher who enjoys working in low-SES schools with underprivileged children. The
contents of this book gave me insight into the mannerisms, characteristics and potentials that all student
have to either succeed or fail in the real world. The author realizes importance of using realistic
scenarios to describe the advent of student learning, and I appreciated the honesty that the the author
incorporated into his pedagogical assessments.
I can most easily apply the learning content from this book by simply believing in each of my students.
I don't have to create a future Nobel laureate or Pulitzer winner, I realized that helping to create a strong
ethical and moral individual is its own accomplishment.