Jennifer Bajorek,

Phone: 312-206-7247
Email: bajorek315@yahoo.com
Educator profile:
PDP term: 5 years
Years of educational experience: 4
License File Number: 45535
License Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
School district: Westview Elementary School, Platteville, Wisconsin
Current educational assignment: Elementary Education Teacher
Years in current assignment: 1
Present Licensure Stage: Pre-Service
Licensure stage sought: Initial
Professional Licensure Categories: Teacher
Professional Development Plan
Step I: Self-reflection:
Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand.
"Chinese proverb"
This quote from a Chinese proverb this is how I think education should be taught. My philosophy of
education is that students need to be interactive while learning something new. Education is a main part
of our society without students being educated there is little opportunity of them in the world. I believe all
students can learn, it just depends how they are taught. Teachers need to make learning memorable and
need to teach all areas of the student. The most effective teaching comes from involving the students in
the learning process and having them think critically about the information being presented.
The purpose of education is:

Expand the critical thinking level of the students

Explore ones thoughts/ ideas and have the ability to act on them

Keep society moving in a more advance direction

To make intelligent decisions and understand the past.

The role of students in education is:

The role of students in education is to keep an open mind to new ideas. Students should come
with the willingness to learn new material. Also, the role for students is to use the information to better
themselves and the world. I believe that the students role in education is one of the most important parts
because they are the future. It is important that the students stay engaged in learning because they will
be the ones to use their knowledge and change the world for their generation.
The role of the teacher in education is:

The role of a teacher is to prepare students to think critically. Teachers must give their students
the knowledge to make decisions that are appropriate for society. Also,a role of a teacher is to keep the
information relevant and interesting to the group of learners. Without the information staying interesting to
the students there is no point in teaching it because it will not stay with the student. I also believe the
teacher should also be a positive role model in education. The teacher needs to keep an open mind to
learning new ideas and try new teaching styles in the classroom. The teachers role in education plays a
huge influence on the students and how the material they learn will be used.
I have decided to become a teacher for these reasons:
I have decided to become a teacher because I love watching students excel and learn. I think the
best part of teaching a student something new is seeing how he/she can excel and master the task. Also,
I would like make a difference in someones life. I have teachers that have strongly affected my life in a
positive way, and I would like to be a positive effect in a student's life. I think that teaching is one of the
best ways to make a difference in a student's life.
My philosophy aligns with essentialism and progressivism philosophies in these ways:
My philosophy aligns best with these two philosophies because I believe students should have
kinestetic approach to learning while still having order and control in my classroom. I think it is important
to teach the knowledge that will have students living a happier and more educated life. I think education is
one of the most important ways to succeed in the world. I also believe that education helps shape ones
character and how he/she approaches certain ideas. As a teacher, I need to be responsible for my
students learning. When I teach, I will focus on the needs of the students rather than worrying about
following my lesson plans for every detail. I feel it is important to recognize their needs before my own.
They must feel comfortable with the material being taught before they can explore new ideas. I think the
best way for students to keep the material in which they learn is to relate it to something important in their
life. However, I want my students to explore new ideas and thoughts, but I will have respect in the
classroom. I believe, as a teacher it is important to still have control over the classroom and not have the
students be in control of the classroom. It is the teachers job to manage the students. Overall, I think in
my classroom it will be my responsibility to keep the students on track to learn new ideas every day.
All students are capable of learning; it is the teacher's responsibility to be able to communicate the
information to them in the right way. I believe that by relating education to their everyday lives it will keep
them interested and excited to learn. Also, I think the role of a teacher is to be a positive role model in the
community and as well as for the students. I want to be a teacher who lets students explore new concepts
and still keeps control of my classroom.

Step II A. Description of School and Teaching, Administrative, or Pupil Services Situation

Description of Position: I am currently teaching second grade Westview Elementary School in
Platteville, Wisconsin.
Number of Years in Position: 1 year
School Location/Setting: Westview Elementary School is located in Southwest Wisconsin in a
rural area. The school is made up of second and third grade students.
Demographics: There are currently 181 students in Westview Elementary School,90% are
White, 3.31%,3% Asian, Hispanic, 2.76% African American , .55% Native American of the
students enrolled in the building.
District Goal: The following are Westview District goals for the year 2014 is to "in partnership
with family and community, is to empower individuals to become life-long learners who will
have the vision and skills to manage change and improve the world we share. Students will

maximize their potential through individual learning plans that are based on the diverse
experiences available in our unique rural, educational, industrial and commercial environment."

Step II B. Description of Goal to be Addressed

Goal: My goal to become a better teacher is to be more proficient in using technology in my
classroom so that students learning can be enhanced.
Step II C. Rationale for the Goal: Links to Professional Situation and Wisconsin Educator
Standards
Goal: My goal to become a better teacher is to be more proficient with using correct strategies
for students who have learning disabilities in the classroom.
Rationale for the Goal and Link to Educational Situation: I believe that as a teacher I have to
change my teaching style and learn new strategies for students when they can not understand the
information. Many students in a classroom struggle with learning disorders that keep them from
learning the information. Instead of ingoring the students disabliite I would like to embrace it and
learn more about them so I am able to convey the information to those students. I want to be able
to have that student in a supportive active learning enviroment.
Licensure standard(s) addressed in your plan:
Teacher: (2) The teacher understands how children with broad ranges of ability learn and
provides instruction that supports their intellectual, social and personal development.
Teacher:(3) The teacher understands how pupils differ in their approaches to learning
and the barriers that impede learning and can adapt instruction to meet the diverse needs
of pupils, including those with disabilities and exceptionalities.
Teacher: (4) The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies,
including the use of technology to encourage children's development of critical thinking,
problem solving, and performance skills.
Step II D. Plan for Assessing and Documenting the Goal
Step II E. Plan to Meet the Goal: Objectives, Activities, Timeline, and Plan for Collaboration
Goal: My goal to become a better teacher is to be more proficient with using correct strategies
for students who have learning disabilities in the classroom.
Objective: I will learn more strategies about learning disabilities that occur most often in the
classroom.
Activities

Timelines

Attend six credits at the University of Wisconsin

Platteville; the credits will be in special
2014-2016
education.
Attend the Learning Disabilities 52nd Annual
International Conference

Collaboration

Instructor

February 18, Facilitator

2015

Complete
d

Observe teachers in IEP meetings and observe

the special education teacher in Westview's
building.

2014-2016

Teacher
Colleagues

Objective: I will implement different strategies in the classroom. I will document and assess
what strategies worked in the classroom and continue to evaluate the usefulness of each tool.
Activities
Create a student survey on which tools help them
focused the most, students results will be analyzed.

Timelines
20142016

Collaboration
2nd grade team
teachers

Observe and record weekly notes of students'

progress who were struggling in the classroom with 2014 2016
learning because of their learning disabilities.

Special
Education
teacher in
district.

Create an online blog at TeachersSpeakUp.com

with all my ideas being used in the classroom to
help students with their learning disabilities. The
blog will give me feedback from other teachers
about ideas the ideas being used, also it will give
me need tools to bring into the classroom.

Teacher
Colleagues

2014 2019

Complete
d

Documentation of the Plan

Step III: Annual Review of the PDP
Step IV A: Evidence of Professional Growth and the Impact of Professional Growth on Student
Learning
Step IV B: Reflection and Summary