Joseph Hursts Professional Growth Plan

I have come to learn that teaching is a very complex skill and requires its practitioners to

both rely on pedagogical knowledge and innate skills if they are to impact learning in a

meaningful way. To perfect my knowledge and skills I need to identify areas of potential growth.

Once those areas have been identified it is necessary to not only set goals, but to enact action

plans to achieve those goals. Specifically, science education is too often treated as a repository

for facts and answers. Students have access in their pockets to more facts and answers than I

could ever hope to teach them, and even more misinformation. Therefore, it is much more

important that instead of telling my students facts, that I ask my students questions to help them

discover. If a student can learn how to ask and answer the right kind of questions, their education

will be much for effective and lasting. I have a goal for my first year to better myself in the area

of asking questions.

First Specific Goals: Instruction- Using Questioning Techniques

Year
In the 2017-2018 school year, I will become better equipped at effectively
questioning my students to engage them in a high level of critical thinking and
problem solving. I will do this by attending trainings, researching, and implementing
my findings on critical questioning.
How Will Goal Be Achievement Level Relevant- Time-Target
Measured Alignment To Best Date
Practices
Evidence of growth All lesson plans will Questioning and Lesson plan
will be pre-thought show critical Discussion questions will be
out (>3) questions questioning (>3 Techniques: This is implemented
placed in every potential questions highly relevant in the immediately and
section of my 5-E for each section of a field of science. If a plans will not be
lesson plans, peer 5-E lesson plan), student is not able to considered
observations and observations will ask respond critically to complete without
their feedback on for an objective score critical questions, required number,
growth between (1-5) and a growth then science has not Peer observations
observations, self- score (if applicable, been done. and personal
reflections measuring same scale), self- reflections will be
growth on a 1-5 reflections will be done quarterly,
scale, and sample done quarterly, and and a final
 work from students sample work will reflection at the
showing show student growth end of the year to
development of in their ability to assess changes that
personal questioning. respond to questions are needed. These
and formulate their reflections will
own. cite student sample
work as evidence.
Long Specific Goals
Term
I will graduate from ASU with a masters degree in Economic Geology by May,
(5 2022 to better help my content knowledge and further qualify myself as an educator.
Year)
How Will Goal Be Achievement Relevant- Alignment To Best Time-
Measured Level Practices Target
Date
I will register for all of the Masters Knowledge of content/pedagogy: By
classes that I can which fit Degree with a Increasing my depth of May,
with my teaching schedule. 4.0 or higher knowledge in my content area 2022
For example, this summer I GPA by May will help me teach the content
am registered for Field II at 2022. more effectively, answer deeper
ASU and I will be taking questions, and witness first hand
Advanced Field this coming pedagogical approaches to
Spring. I can make both teaching the content.
classes work without
interfering with my career as
an educator. I will hold a
monthly council with my
family to keep accountable.
These councils will ensure
that I am registered for at
least one class required for
my degree each
semester/summer until I am
accepted into graduate
school.

Professional organizations I will partner with:

1. National Education Association (NEA)- Joining their STEM team will allow me

to bring funding into our classroom and even start up a dedicated STEM class.

Building a STEM classroom within the school community I work in is a dream of

mine that I know I can accomplish from the help of organizations such as this.
 2. National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)- I am already on track to joining

this association. They too help to provide funding, and resources to science

classrooms.

I never wish to stop learning. I am passionate about teaching and learning, and do not

believe that you can fully do one without the other. My ultimate goal is to reach a level

educationally that I can teach at a college/university should I choose. Even if I stay in high

schools, which is likely, I will obtain at least my masters degree so as to better understand how

the universe works. That is the mission of every true scientist, to learn how the universe works.

Laurence Karass one said that you cannot truly ever understand something until you have taught

it. I believe this to be true and will continue to find ways to teach my students using stories,

analogies, logic, reason, and whatever methods I can find. I think that learning from those who

have come before you is key to becoming a better teacher and will reflect what all of my past,

and future, teachers have done to help me understand content. I plan on taking my passion and

trying to reach out to those students who are likewise inclined to discover truths in the universe

to develop a STEM community in the school. Whether a sanctioned class or an extracurricular

club, I want my students, their parents, and the community at large to know that we are training

future world leaders. We are making a difference. Use of the professional organizations listed

above will help me accomplish these goals.