Professional Growth Plan

Karin Wall

Fall 2016

1. Use inquiry at the heart of my teaching to inspire and help students

develop a growth mindset.
My first goal as a teacher is to continue to open myself up to
continuous learning and trying new things. I would like to pass this
on to my students and help them reach their full potential while
encouraging their inquisitive nature. Part of having a growth
mindset is being curious and using inquiry to drive the acquisition of
knowledge. Having this as my model, I hope to develop lessons that
are engaging and open-ended so as to inspire critical thinking that
is driven by student interest.
Rationale:
I want all my students to succeed in the best way they know how.
Using their own curiosity to spark their learning, I am hoping that
more students will be motivated to want to learn, attend school, and
participate within the class.
I believe that if students truly want to know something they will put
more time and effort into their research and develop more insightful
connections.
Strategies:
Provide more project-based assessments that require students to
conduct research and tap into deeper levels of thinking.
Maintain my own involvement in professional development courses
where I can learn new strategies for helping students be successful.
Showing my students that I am always willing to learn will hopefully
motivate them to do the same.
Get to know the unique experiences of my students and show them
how to use that to help them shape their learning.
KSA Related:
#5: All Students Can Learn
Know (include when and how to engage others) to identify ways
students learn and their different learning styles. Respond to these
differences by creating multiple paths to learning for individuals and
groups, including those with special learning needs.
#6 Purpose of Planning
Know how to translate curriculum and desired outcomes into reasoned,
meaningful, and incrementally progressive learning opportunities for
students. Vary plans to accommodate individuals and groups of
students.
#15: Career-Long Learning
Know how to assess your own teaching and to work with others
responsible for supervising and evaluating teachers. Know how to use

the findings of assessments, supervision, and evaluation to select,

develop and implement your own professional development activities.
#16 Vision of Teaching
Be able to communicate your vision, including how it has changed as a
result of knowledge, understanding, and experience.
2. Learn more about the Kwanlin Dun and other First Nations groups
within the Yukon and provide the students with culturally appropriate
lessons.
As a Native Education major, I am passionate about teaching
children Canadas history from all perspectives. While in Alberta I
learned a lot about the local First Nations groups and the cultural
practices they honored on Blood territory. Now that I am in the
Yukon, I want to recognize and learn about the many different
Indigenous groups in the territory so that I can show and teach
respect for the land and the cultures that reside here.
Rationale:
Elijah Smith Elementary School resides on traditional Kwanlin Dun
First Nations territory. Many students from different cultural
backgrounds attend the school and pay respect to the Kwanlin Dun
First Nations. I believe it is important that I familiarize myself with
all the different groups and respect the land on which I am teaching.
Strategies:
Speak with the First Nations staff and individuals in the school about
their teaching practice and utilize the resources they offer.
Talk with my TA about past lessons and the history of the Yukon.
Sit in with the students on Southern Tutchone language lessons to
develop an understanding of the language and traditional history.
Bring elders and guests into the classroom to share their
experiences with the students.
Talk with the students and their parents who are from First Nations
backgrounds and see if they are comfortable sharing their
experiences.
KSA Related:
#8 Respecting Students Dignity
Know how to establish, with different students, progressional
relationships that are characterized by mutual respect, trust, and
harmony.
#12: Engaging Parent/Caregivers
Know how to develop and implement strategies that create and
enhance partnerships among teachers, parents, and students.
#13: Home & Community Resources
Know how to identify resources relevant to teaching and learning
objectives, and how to incorporate them into teaching and students
learning.