Engaging in Career Long Learning
PD Sessions
Professional development and learning has and will remain a priority for me for the duration of my teaching career. Specifically, my interests lie with technology in the classroom as well as mental health and wellness among students and teachers. During my time in the education program at the Werklund School of Education, I have researched and participated in numerous learning opportunities.
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First, I am excited to be participating in the 2020 Teacher's Convention. This year's convention has a number of sessions surrounding the topic of healthy and active classrooms. The teacher's convention provides the opportunity to collaborate with other teachers to build personal and collective expertise. As a new teacher, I see the value in this practice and know that mentor teachers and a critical friend network will be a great resource. Additionally, I am looking to expand my skills and my capacity to support success in inclusive, welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments. I have studied and certified in yoga and will take what I gain from convention sessions and my own personal training to promote mindfulness and resiliency in the classroom.
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Second, I have set a teaching goal for myself to utilize and implement new technology in the classroom. Recently, I participating in an ESA PD session on FlipGrid. FlipGrid is a social media platform allowing students to communicate online with each other, their teachers and with other schools on collaborative projects. I am committed to maintaining an awareness of emerging technologies to enhance knowledge and inform practice. By staying up-to-date and bringing these tools into the classroom, I hope to engage students in a relevant way that they can relate to as a technological generation.
Certifications
Certifications and training is something that I have actively pursued in a variety of ways in my life. As mentioned above, I have my 200hr Yoga Teacher Certification and I also have a number of dance/coaching related certifications, as this was my first career. The act of seeking out new learning opportunities is vital to the success of a teacher, regardless of their role. Additionally, being able to assess the current status/need within your own learning, by critically reviewing what your current and next steps should be, helps to improve practice. Research is necessary to remain relevant in the classroom.
Specific to classroom teaching and education, I am completing my Brain Story Certification, which examines how our early experiences shape our brains. This has proven to be valuable to me as I work with students in the classroom. All knowledge is relevant knowledge if it means that I am able to better address the needs of students.
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I have also received my YPAD Certification since I started the education program. YPAD stands for Youth Protection Advocates in Dance and although the training had a number of dance connections, the discussion of self-esteem, healthy relationships, mental health and wellbeing are all applicable to classroom teaching and have given me a number of tools and techniques to broach the subject matter with students. By collaborating with other teachers to build personal and collective expertise I know I will provide better support and advocate for students at school. Discussion and training from industry professionals have proven valuable and worth the investment every time.
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