Hannah Truitt

7249 S Woodward Ave Apt 106

Woodridge, IL 60517
Phone: 6083702736
Email: truitth@uwplatt.edu
Educator profile:
PDP term: 5 years
Years of educational experience: 4
DPI Entity Number:
License Expiration Date: 6/30/2019
School district: Not Currently with a School District
Current educational assignment: Platteville School District
Years in current assignment: 1
Present Licensure Stage: Initial
Licensure stage sought: Professional
Professional Licensure Categories: Teacher

Professional Development Plan

Step I: Self-reflection
Teaching is a profession that requires passion. It is as simple as that. It is one of the main
ingredients in being a great educator, and it takes a certain kind of person to have that kind of
passion for their profession. Someone determined and willing to work hard to help another to
become successful.
The purpose of education is:

To teach students the core subjects, amongst other disciplines such as current events, new
technology and how to incorporate it into their daily lives.
To teach students to analyze and problem solve.

To teach critical thinking skills

To help students be prepared for things they will encounter beyond the classroom.

Instruct students to think critically and analytically, but also help them develop their social
thinking and real world skills.

Help students understand themselves, as well as the world around them.

Expand students knowledge of basic facts and apply that in more complicated and realistic
situations.

The role of the teacher in the classroom/education is:

Be an authority figure in the classroom environment.

Enlighten students in studies and discoveries both in the classroom and in real world situations.

Be disposable to any questions or needs a student may have regarding academic concerns; make
situations clear.

Teach students critical, real world skills; prepare them for things that will happen outside of just
the classroom.

Teach basic skills, and promote the understanding of those skills as to help prepare students for
more complex situations.

Provide well-rounded information to students regarding not only present but past happenings.

Be flexible to students learning needs.

The role of the student in the classroom/education is:

Acquire and broaden knowledge of many subjects.

Think in terms of academics, but also the real world, in critical and analytical ways.

Gain a sense of responsibility, structure, discipline and respect.

Students learn best by:

Being comfortable asking questions.

Learning the basics, and understanding them so they can apply them too more complex situations
in the future that they may encounter.

Incorporating real life examples into the teaching of students.

Learning at a pace they can handle and that they are comfortable with.

Applying previously acquired knowledge to new, more in depth material.

I believe teachers should possess qualities including:

Patience with students.

Flexibility with students, classroom happenings, parents, other colleagues, community.

Understanding of students.

Honesty with students, parents, other colleagues, and the community.

Knowledge in order to help students and parents with any problems or questions that could arise.

Willingness to go above and beyond what is required.

The role of a teacher in the community is:

Be someone reliable and trustworthy of students, parents, other school faculty members, etc.

Educate students in the community.

Participate as more than just a teacher (volunteer, coach, etc.)

As a teacher, this is what I will do to meet individual students needs:

Recognize if a student needs help, is struggling, or is not understanding in the way that I as a
teacher am presenting something.

Try different techniques in general and individually with students.

Find what strategies certain students benefit from.

Be flexible in lesson planning, teaching techniques.

As a teacher, I will do this to ensure my students achievement:

Be flexible in techniques I use to present material.

Get to know all of my students as individuals, both in and out of the classroom.

Be available to my students as much as possible.

Be someone students can rely on to answer their questions and help them understand.

Some aspects from influential teachers that I will incorporate into my classroom are:

Get to know every student on only in an academic sense, but personally build relationships from
teacher to student.

Know how to be flexible and ready to change at any moment.

Incorporate responsibility and structure into everyday activities.

Get involved outside of the classroom.

Make a comfortable learning environment for my students.

Recognize techniques and strategies that are advantageous and those that are not for students, and
be willing to try new different strategies that students will benefit from.

I have decided to become a teacher for these reasons:

I enjoy teaching people how to do things and helping people understand the process of how things
come to be.

I enjoy watching learning and understanding take place.

I believe education gets you incredibly far in life and that it starts early.

I enjoy learning myself, expanding my own knowledge and sharing that with others.

Eleanor Roosevelt It is today that we must create the world of the future. The world is constantly
changing and advancing in new ways every day. Education is what is helping us assimilate to those
changes, and is benefitting our lives. Education helps everyone who chooses to take advantage of it and
embrace it only move forward in life.

Step II A. Description of School and Teaching,

Administrative, or Pupil Services Situation
Description of Position
I am currently teaching Pre-K at Neal Wilkins Elementary School.
Number of Years in Position
1
School Location/ Setting
Platteville School District is a rapidly growing suburban district located in southwest Wisconsin.
Demographics
There are currently 335 students enrolled at Neal Wilkins Elementary School. 90.1% are white, 3% African
American, 1.5% Hispanic, 2.7% Asian, 2.7 % have two or more races. 37.3% of students qualified for the
Free Lunch Program. 3.9% of students qualified for the Reduced-Price Lunch Program.
District Goals
The mission of the Platteville School District, 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:
I will research and implement Jolly Phonics strategies in my classroom so that students will be able to use
the five key skills for reading and writing.

Step II C. Rationale for the Goal: Links to Professional

Situation and Wisconsin Educator Standards
Goal:
I will research and implement Jolly Phonics strategies in my classroom so that students will be able to use
the five key skills for reading and writing.

Rationale for your Goal:

Goal:
I will research and implement Jolly Phonics strategies in my classroom so that students will be able to use
the five key skills for reading and writing.
Rational for the Goal and Link to Educational Situation:
Platteville School District has embraced phonics as one of its goals. As an initial educator, I have used the
basic phonological work for the past year. Within this model, I want to incorporate Jolly Phonics so that
children will know the sounds letters, letter recognition and a motion with the song to help them remember
the phonics.
I feel that Jolly Phonics is a great way to get introduced to Reading Foundational skills and Reading. Jolly
Phonics introduces you to print concepts, phonological awareness, phonics and word recognition and
conventions of Standard English. I intend to incorporate Jolly Phonics in writing workshops, morning
calendar time, and reading workshops. I intend to scaffold Jolly Phonics the best I can to identify what
works best with the individuals in the classroom.
Licensure standard(s) addressed in your plan:
Teacher:(1) The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the
disciplines he or she teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject
matter meaningful for pupils.
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.
Teacher:(6) The teacher uses effective verbal and nonverbal communication techniques as well as
instructional media and technology to foster active inquiry, collaboration and support interaction
in the classroom.

Step II D. Plan for Assessing and Documenting the Goal

Goal:
I will research and implement Jolly Phonics strategies in my classroom so that students will be able to use
the five key skills for reading and writing.

Step II E. Plan to Meet the Goal: Objectives, Activities,

Timeline, and Plan for Collaboration
Goal:
I will research and implement Jolly Phonics strategies in my classroom so that students will be able to use
the five key skills for reading and writing.
Objective:
Goal: I will research and implement Jolly Phonics strategies in my classroom so that students will be able
to use the five key skills for reading and writing.
Objective: I will learn more about Jolly Phonics.
Activities
Attend Jolly Phonics Training at Clarke College

Timelines
July 2015

Collaboration
Facilitator

Completed

Develop Smart Board activities to meet the needs of the

students.

August
2014

Team
Colleagues

Observe teachers who have successfully implemented Jolly

Phonics

2014-2019

Teachers

Meet monthly with colleagues to discuss strategies

Ongoing

Team
Colleagues

Objective:
I will develop and implement assessment tools for Jolly Phonics.
Activities

Timelines

Collaboration

Attend an online training course

December
2014

New Teacher
Colleagues

Collaborate with colleagues to determine best

assessment practices and develop rubrics.

2014-2019

Team Colleagues

Participate in JPA (Jolly Phonics

Assessment) training

September
2014-2015

Instructor

Create parent and student reading surveys

2014-2016

District Assessment
Coordinator

Completed

Documentation of the Plan

Step III: Annual Review of the PDP
Goal:
I will research and implement Jolly Phonics strategies in my classroom so that students will be able to use
the five key skills for reading and writing.

Step IV A: Evidence of Professional Growth and the

Impact of Professional Growth on Student Learning
Goal:
I will research and implement Jolly Phonics strategies in my classroom so that students will be able to use
the five key skills for reading and writing.

Step IV B: Reflection and Summary

Goal:
I will research and implement Jolly Phonics strategies in my classroom so that students will be able to use
the five key skills for reading and writing.