Running Head: MY STORY

Telling My Story Using My PDQP

Nicole Rodamer

National University
MY STORY

Abstract

This reflection is on my own teaching competencies focused on Domain A. I evaluate my

progress in TPE 1A, reflect on my strengths and needs. I also discuss professional goals in

relation to TPE 1A and TPE 6.

MY STORY

Telling My Story Using My PDQP

According to Constantino and Lorenzo (2009) “A professional development plan

delineates a teacher’s goals for short-and long-term professional growth. These goals should be

aligned with the performance standards identified by the school system or teacher preparation

program” (p.18). Evaluating my progress with these goals and standards in the first step to

becoming a better teacher. I have chosen to evaluate on my competencies in Domain A for this

reflection.

Domain A is “Making Subject Matter Comprehensible to Students” (Commission on

Teacher Credentialing, "California Teaching Performance Expectations", 2013, p. 2). I am a

multiple subject credential student, which aligns with TPE 1A. My artifacts for Domain A reflect

my abilities to create lesson plans for different subjects. I am in pursuit of locating my student

teaching observations from my National University Support Provider; these records have been

moved within the NU database since my student teaching back in 2012. I plan to update my

artifacts to include an observation when found. I believe my competency in subject matter

instruction is strong.

I completed my student teaching in 2013 and have been substitute teaching since then. I

have been fortunate to have gained valuable classroom experiences in all grade levels from K-6.

I have done multiple job-sharing and long-term positions in the lower primary grades and feel

very knowledgeable in knowing their academic goals and standards. I am less familiar with the

upper elementary school standards. I am looking forwards to being in one classroom for the

entire school year, this will allow me to become more knowledgeable in the standards and goals

for that specific grade level.

MY STORY

One of my professional goals is to design lesson plans that integrate multiple subjects and

standards together. I believe that cross-curricular lessons provide students with a deeper and

more enriching learning experience. “We have gone about as far as we can go with isolated

instruction and learning. While it may have served the purpose for the older generations, it does

not meet the deeper learning needs of students today and tomorrow. Fortunately, deeper learning

can be accelerated by consolidating teacher efforts and combining relevant contents” (Johnson,

2014).

TPE 6 addresses appropriate teaching practices, which is in Domain C, is another goal of

my professional development. This goes along with having more experience at the younger grade

levels, I feel very competent in providing developmentally appropriate practices at the

kindergarten level. I would like to expand my competencies and become more knowledgeable at

the upper 5th and 6th grade levels. I know I learn best by doing, so in order to achieve these goals,

I would need to spend more time in a 5th or 6th grade classroom; specifically designing and

implementing my own lessons.

I feel that there is never an end goal of competencies for the professional teacher.

Teachers should continue to strive to be better and continue to reflect on themselves. Many

teachers often dread an observation, but I think it is important to think of the observations as

another learning experience. Be confident and humble at the same time.

MY STORY

References

Commission on Teacher Credentialing. (2013). California Teaching Performance Expectations.

Retrieved from https://www.ctc.ca.gov/docs/default-source/educator-

prep/standards/adopted-tpes-2013.pdf

Constantino, P. M., & De Lorenzo, M. N. (2009). Developing a Professional Teaching Portfolio

A Guide for Success(3rd ed.). Pearson.

Johnson, B. (2014, August 14). Deeper Learning: Why Cross-Curricular Teaching is Essential.

Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/cross-curricular-teaching-deeper-learning-

ben-johnson