Running Head: LOOKING FORWARD

Looking Forward

Nicole Rodamer

National University
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Abstract

This paper is a forward reflection of my career path for the next five years. I have highlighted my

plan to finish my education with National University and complete the requirements for my

California Teaching Credential. I have also discussed courses I would like to take and learning

objectives.
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Looking Forward

Planning for professional growth is important for both new and experienced teachers

alike. According to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (2013) “They improve their

teaching practices by soliciting feedback and engaging in cycles of planning, teaching, reflecting,

discerning problems, and applying new strategies. Candidates use reflection and feedback to

formulate and prioritize goals for increasing their subject matter knowledge and teaching

effectiveness” (p. 17).

The first part of my five-year plan includes finishing all coursework and related material

to complete my Masters in Education with National University and apply for my California

Teaching Credential. Once I have applied for my credential, I plan to apply for a job for an

elementary school position.

Once I get into my own classroom, I will be focused on completing my districts two-year

induction program. There are a few other training and development courses I would like to

complete. This includes GLAD training provided through my district, RAFT workshop training

recommended by my district (http://www.raftbayarea.org/workshops), and I would like to

become a Google Educator (https://edutrainingcenter.withgoogle.com/). According to

Constantino, De Lorenzo, and Tirrell-Corbin, “The in-service teacher’s professional

development plan is focused on continued growth related to performance evaluations and

individual career objectives” (2009, p. 18).

On both a personal and professional level, I would really like to learn coding basics. This

is a skill I can use in the classroom to teach to my students. Coding in the language of the future,
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and if I want to truly understand technology, I feel that I need to understand the language that

goes with it.

I have professional goal to complete 75 graduate units within the next five years. I should

have roughly 48 units after completing my masters, which would leave me about 30 more units.

My induction program will earn me about 8 units. I plan to take other short courses along the

way. Scholastic offers advancement teacher courses with a wide variety of topics

(http://www.scholastic.com/advancementcourses/). Not only will taking the courses provide me

with more training and learning experiences, but it will also allow me to move along the pay

scale columns.

The ultimate goal of my five-year plan is to complete all requirements to obtain a cleared

credential. According to Constantino, De Lorenzo, and Tirrell-Corbin, “A professional

development plan delineates a teacher’s goals for short- and long-term professional growth”

(2009, p. 18). Once I get close to finishing my five-year goals, it will be time to reevaluate my

career goals and do this process over again.

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References

Commission on Teacher Credentialing. (2013). California Teaching Performance Expectations.

Retrieved from https://www.ctc.ca.gov/docs/default-source/educator-

prep/standards/adopted-tpes-2013.pdf

Constantino, P. M., & De Lorenzo, M. N. (2009). Developing a Professional Teaching Portfolio

A Guide for Success(3rd ed.). Pearson.