670 Portfolio Essay 4-1

Professional development is important for many reasons. In education,

professional development offers many advantages for both the teacher and their

classrooms. Learning from other professionals brings new ideas into the classroom.

They have tips on activities, classroom management, planning, and organization.

These professionals have a wealth of knowledge to be examined at professional

development seminars. Professional development also gives the teacher a chance to

reflect on their own practices in the classroom. They can evaluate what works well

for them and what could be improved. Another benefit of these seminars is creating

a network of connections. These colleagues and peers are an invaluable source for

ideas to implement in the classroom.

An example of professional development I experienced in my collegiate

career was attending the 2014 and 2016 International Tuba and Euphonium

Conference. Over those two conferences, I attended several master-classes,

performances and lectures. After attending each of these sessions, I became a much

better musician and tuba player. This also lead me to be

a better private lessons teacher because of these learning opportunities. I

have seen the benefits of professional development and know how important it is to

gain professional experience to enhance my teaching.

I have also attended multiple KMEA (Kansas Music Educators Association)

conferences. During these conferences, I attended sessions ranging from classroom

management skills to student engagement to getting students, as well as educators,

to think creatively, and also watching ensembles perform. I have also attended
multiple PLC (Professional Learning Communities) meetings that discussed how to

help students be more successful, whether that be something teachers could do (i.e.

figuring out alternative lessons for students that needed altered lessons), or how the

teachers could be doing better. We also discussed discipline plans, technology

integration into the classroom and many other topics. These tools from professional

development opportunities have given me good ideas to use inside my classroom

and continues to show why professional development is so important.

Artifacts on the next page

 Artifact 1:

Professional Development Plan

West Elementary
January 3, 2018

LETRS Training Module I for the following (PLC Building starting at 8:00am):
Marcia Beachler, Penny Graber, Erin Moody, Phyllis Herzog, Abby Ross, and Amy
Flinn – Jean Tracy and Sara McCarter have been through LETRS Training and will
not be attending. They will be working on Special Education specific items during
our morning time.

All Other Certified Staff and Reading Assistants (West Elementary):

8:00-9:15am (Library) – Kagan Structures/Review/Practice – Molly Townsend,
Rachel Buessing, Natalie Dobie, and Cathy Woodyard will lead this part of our
morning.

9:15-9:30am – Break

9:30-11:30am (Library) – Technology Sharing/Support & PD Sharing from

Outside Workshops
The next two hours will be time for teams/staff to share their knowledge of specific
technology items, as well as for staff to share some PD opportunities they have
attended this fall. I’ll ask Mrs. Butler to help facilitate this time, as I am planning to
attend LETRS training on January 3.

 Google Classroom – How is each team using Google Classroom? What

questions do you have? What tips & tricks can you offer each other?
 Splash Top – Tips & Tricks – Questions on this tool?
 SeeSaw Activities – Anyone using these? Provide some time to explore in
teams?
 Possible Paid Apps – Discuss in teams and share out.
 PD Sharing of STEM Workshop presented by Bartlett & West at Washburn on
October 30 – Amy Benz, Robin Butler, Natalie Dobie, and Amber Solida
 PD Sharing of Leading Together (Dr. Siebert Courage Work) on November 2 –
Rachel Buessing and Molly Townsend
 PD Sharing of Fall Counselors Conference on November 9 – Robin Butler

11:30am – 12:30pm – Lunch on your own

12:30-2:00pm (Team Leaders Rooms) – PLC Teaming Time

Specific Planning for Kagan, Tech Integration, Engage NY Module Breakdown

2:00-3:30pm – Individual Plan Time

Finish items for grade cards; individual planning time.
Artifact 2:

Artifact 3: