Appendix E: Sample Professional Development Plans

Professional Development Reflection and Planning

Adapted from the New Vision Assessment

Reflections

1. What excites you MOST about your job?

The reason that most excites me about the job is the connections. The role I play is so important,
spending so much time with the children over the course of a week. With all this time, I have influence
over how the children development socially, emotionally, physically, and educationally. To see the
evolution of growth is rewarding.

2. What challenges are you currently facing in your work?

The challenges I face currently are just trying to complete everything I need to do before the last day of
the school year. I work in child care, as a school age teacher, I still have all the demands as a teacher in
the public school system, though it is always completed and done in a timely manner, I do not have a co
teacher with me. I need to have each childs development evaluation packet complete and read to be
given to each family.

3. What would you CHANGE about your current position? If more than one, please prioritize.

I would change something that is really unrealistic. When I started at the facility I currently work at I was
a 3 years old teacher and unintentional, it just happened, I went from room to room with them, until they
left as school age students. I actually felt sad the last time we were all together in the classroom, from
diapers to going to school, I was there every step of the way. I truly tracked their development in every
sense of the word. Everlasting memories, its something Id be willing to do again. To be honest, I
perfectly happy where I am, get along with everybody, do my job, and then leave. I know Im not perfect
but I do my best.

4. List three job related areas you would like more information on

1. Teachers aide in a school system

2. Working with disabled children

3. Anything else this credential can open the doors to

5. Which Professional Organizations are you currently involved in?

a. ___X____National Association for the Education of Young Children

b. ___X___Wisconsin Early Childhood Association

c. _______ Local AEYC Affiliate

d. _______ Wisconsin Family Child Care Association

e. _______ Wisconsin Child Care Administrators Association

f. _______ Local Family Child Care Support Group

j. _______ Other, please specify

Of the topics listed below, reflect on the areas that you do well and what areas would like to experience
growth in?

Child-Care Giver Relationships

I give the children a person to feel safe with, inviting to come to with any situation, respecting of them,
always considerate, and understanding to whatever is going on in their lives and the classroom. I believe
that being this way, gives the children a sense of security to allow me to set goals high, motivating to
achieve limitless possibilities.

Observation and Planning

When I first started in this field I will admit I was terrible at, but over time I have learned you get what
you put in, like everything in life, if the commitment is there, observations and planning can be like
second nature. Yes, I do sacrifice, bring materials home to prep, there is nothing to fear if a teacher is
prepared. I must be dedicated, my responsibilities are great, creating my own weekly lesson plans and
taking constant observations to complete a childs developmental evaluations packet, which needs to be
filled out for every child.

Learning Environment

The room arrangement is set up to limit blind spots and avoid unnecessary things from happening. This
can be a struggle depending upon the children, personalities can dictate a change. There are defined
quiet areas and loud areas. The materials are age appropriate and theres enough for all the children
to play. All broken materials are removed. All outlets are covered. I keep the proper disinfectants locked
up and stored away from childrens reach. I do my best to remain the classroom a safe learning
environment.
Guiding Children

With the words guiding children, many ideas come to me. In my opinion its everything, developing
cognitive skills, emotional skills, social skills, and physical skills. The understanding of every individual
child is the best way in guiding children.

Parent Relationships

The families matter, I look at the relationship as in a sense a team, coming together for the betterment of
the child. For all the parents, I open my classroom, see almost all of them at drop off, constant daily
dialog, no matter if its a concern, a simple message of something happening, or just being friendly. I
make myself available. Without the families I have no job and I get that.

Health and Safety

By keeping my classroom in tip top shape I do my best to have the children remain safe. I teach the
proper hygiene, such as washing their hands. I use a technique by having the children sing the alphabet
from beginning to end as they wash their hands. I know all the emergency exit plans, in case of a
situation, such as a fire or tornado. There constant counting of kids, making sure I have them all with me
is my number one priority, cant do it too much. I sanitize the classroom, toys, materials, and equipment
weekly if not daily. Things can happen, its challenging at times, since I dont have a second pair of eyes
to control the room with. Each classroom has a phone present in it, so if I need assistance with anything,
I just phone the management staff.

Community Involvement

I currently am very busy with a family with two young boys, so my community involvement is absent,
but for years I started soon after graduating from high school volunteered at a child care center I attended
as a kid.

Advocacy

I must be honest; I am not advocating anything at this present time.

 Planning

Take some time now to look at the previous forms you just competed. Reflect on recurring strengths, area
of improvement, interests, desires and challenges. Then fill out this worksheet.

Professional Planning

Develop a professional plan with one or two goals and steps to achieve those goals
for:
1 year from now

In 1 years time, I see myself still working at my current teaching environment. I want to continue on
with school, so Id still be a student. I have no regrets working in child care, its rewarding, but would
like to achieve more personally. This may sound like me being selfish, but beyond the reward of making
a difference in a child, I want to do good for my family. I have been in child care for over 15 years and
with 2 young boys, Id sacrifice to no end to give them a better life.

3 years from now

In 3 years I hope to be working in the public school system. I had a stroke when I was a baby, so my
perfect scenario would be being a teachers aide in a disabled classroom. I feel I would do a good job,
with the experience and commitment I have. I specifically want to better assist children with disabilities
because of my background. I know how hard it is to grow up with a disability and I know I can make a
difference in so many ways.