Rodriguez: Looking Forward Plan 1

Looking Forward Plan

Cristina Rodriguez
TED 690 Capstone
Professor Ryan
National University
11 June 2016

Rodriguez: Looking Forward Plan 2

Abstract
This paper is a how I plan to spend the next five years improving myself professionally. It will
discuss the importance of my short term goals and why they are important. The years that I plan
to discuss in this paper will cover the years 2016 until 2021.

Rodriguez: Looking Forward Plan 3

Looking Forward Plan

When developing professionally as a teacher a continual process is necessary to build the
skills needed to become a good teacher. Teaching toward understanding and helping students
become independent learners require that teachers themselves become thoughtful, independent
learners (Vrasidas, Glass 2004 3). The expectation of having students grow is an expectation
that I have for myself as well. Building a solid foundation in learning any topic is important but
to remember that there is always room for growth. Each goal that I have set for myself in the
next five years are for me to develop into a well-rounded educator.
In 2016, I will complete my Masters at National University and begin my first year
teaching at a junior high school. My goal is to begin my first year of Beginning Teacher Support
and Assessment (BTSA) Induction program. In 2017, I plan to start my second year of the
BTSA program and clear my credential. The reason I plan to use the programs that have been set
into place to support teachers as they begin their journey to a long and prosperous educational
career.
2018, is when I will have finished my BTSA program and when I plan to attain my
GATE certification. The next year is when I want to focus on attaining my AVID certification. I
believe it is important to know how to properly serve all students. At time when teaching it is
difficult how to properly challenge students without giving more work as a way to challenge
GATE students. AVID is a program that I have been apart of since 1999 as a student and truly
opened my world to higher education. Afterwards, once in college I become a AVID college
tutoring where I worked as a tutoring until I became a substitute. Both of these certifications are
designed for two different types of learner the above average and average students. It is
important to continuously challenge every level of student that walks into the classroom.

Rodriguez: Looking Forward Plan 4

Professional learning that increases educator effectiveness and results for all students
requires skillful leaders who develop capacity, advocate, and create support systems for
professional learning (Deubel 2016). To develop as a teacher it takes into account of being able
to have leaders and those with experience to help those who are growing. By 2020, I plan to
begin my administration credential because I know that it is important to know what is expected
from the administration. To develop professionally administrators help teachers grow and with
this knowledge teachers help students grow. One day I will help new teachers develop
professionally and those teachers will be able to help more students to achieve success.
As I look over my goals that I have planned for my professional develop each one works
towards my development as a teacher. In addition, to my looking forward plans I will create
goals to enrich myself as an individual as well. I value the importance of being well-rounded
and hope that my students will become well-rounded as well. The personal goals that I set for
myself such as learning to solve a Rubiks cube or traveling to different parts of the world.
Adding these personal goals and sharing them with students is how I plan to connect with
students that though I am a teacher I continue to grow and have my hopes and aspirations for my
future.

Rodriguez: Looking Forward Plan 5

Reference:
Deubel, P. (2016). Professional development. Retrieved June, 4, 2016, from Computing
Technology for Math Excellence Web
site: http://www.ct4me.net/professional_development.htm
Vrasidas, C., & Glass, G. V. (2004). Online professional development for teachers. Retrieved
June 11, 2016, from https://books.google.com/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=2zxlOMi2uCMC&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=teacherprofessionaldevelopme
nt&ots=HkjnzfIeN6&sig=f7CUZZ36P4AbXKC5_rvaGQMU0Us#v=onepage&q=teache
r professional development&f=false