Goals are something that are taken quite seriously in my classroom and in my personal life! I truly believe that setting an achievable goal helps put the plan into action, take my word for it! Personally, and professionally, I have made and achieved many goals since starting my masters program last fall. Personally, I have lost 74 pounds through exercise and healthy eating. Professionally, I have started to move myself into a leadership position. I know that setting goals, and clearly outlining the steps to achieving that goal, has transformative powers. Now that the goals of my master’s career are coming to an end, it is time to look out into the unknown future and start planning. As a life-long learner, I know that even though my classes are coming to a close, the journey of learning never ends. I am deciding to start with three professional goals. First, I would like to continue to develop my skills as an educational leader. Next, I would like to expand my teaching and start working with teaching adults. Last, I would like to work on integrating more technology into my classroom.
1. Develop skills as an educational leader.
My first few years teaching were spent carefully crafting curriculum, perfecting accommodations in the classroom for my caseload students, and honing in on my personal style of classroom management. As the years have passed and I have “come into” myself as an educator, I can now look to take on a leadership role in my building. I am no longer the “new kid on the block” and have a wealth of knowledge that I am eager to share. In my professional learning community (PLC) I would like to utilize protocols (methods of structured academic conversation) to guide and lead our group toward powerful discussions that help us reach out end goal: helping students reach their full potential in the classroom. I am going to start working on this goal but using resources from the course “Leading Teacher Learning” and the book Protocols for Professional Learning by Lori Easton.
2. Expand my teaching into educating adults.
Next, I would like to start teaching teachers. This year, I was placed to co-teach with a new teacher. I have found that I am so eager to help guide and teach him as he embarks on the most exciting and challenging first year teaching journey! I have also been asked to take on a position as Core Trainer for and Educational Benefit Review Team. This team dives into the Individualized Education Plans (IEP’s) for students with special needs to determine if students are making adequate progress. I feel that this opportunity of becoming a Core Trainer will lead me toward teaching other teachers in my building, and eventually teaching teachers at other districts! I will utilize the resources from the Macomb County Intermediate School District and work with the special education team there to determine how best to teach this review process.
3. Integrate technology into my classroom.
Finally, I would like to integrate more technology into my classroom! I have learned so many new formats of technology throughout my program and have become quite comfortable with using them myself. I have always shied away from using a lot of technology in my classroom because of the abuse that has occurred in the past. Middle school students are quite slick and will need clear and consistent expectations of how to best use the technology. I have found that students know how to use some specific technology but are completely lost when trying to utilize other modes. My goal would be to start by using one technology at least weekly. I like the idea of using Flipgrid in the classroom. I have utilized Flipgrid in three of my master’s courses and think it’s an excellent way to share and collaborate with peers. Many of my students have specific learning disabilities in reading and writing, so Flipgrid provides a way for students to share without going through the taxing process of writing or typing out their ideas!
Reflecting on past goals and creating new goals is a natural cycle in my life. Becoming an educational leader, working with adult learners, and utilizing technology are three areas I am quite passionate about. I will continue to work toward, revise, and hone in my craft in this areas. I am eager to get started on utilizing these resources to begin my next cycle of goals!
If you would like to download my goal statement, please click the PDF link below!
Christina Johnson Future Learning Goals Essay
Christina Johnson Future Learning Goals Essay