Reflect

In the beginning we began to unpack the competencies that make up the growth continuum. I found that I was in the emerging or the developing stage for most of the competencies. In the Reflective Practice Competency I started out as an emerging/developing teacher. During my first semester of TLI, I really jumped into the reflective practice competency. I often engaged in leadership opportunities, but I began to reach out to my colleagues to encourage a diverse range of stakeholders to reflect on their roles and responsibilities within instruction and other facets of teaching and leading. By meeting with teachers and encouraging their personal reflection on what their needs are that will directly impact their teaching and student learning, I have started to move into the Performing stage of the Adult Learning Competency. In the category of Personal Effectiveness, I started developing and I am working hard to move toward Performing. Specifically, I worked to adjust behavior and practice to build credibility and trust within our PLC groups and whole staff. I am also worked on prioritizing my duties as a teacher leader with other professional responsibilities and personal responsibilities.

In the beginning of my TLI journey I was emerging in the area of Collaborating Purposefully. I recognized and understood the strengths and limitations of collaboration skills in my practice when interacting with other culture groups. I recognized the differences between and within culture groups. Throughout the year of my TLI journey, I worked very hard to create a learning environment for my students that would include and value each individuals culture. I worked hard to explain the value and benefit of including everyone’s culture and ideas into our classroom. I then branched out to the PLC groups that I met with individually within my building doing the same things. Ultimately, my capstone seeks to create and support regular opportunities for educators to identify shared visions, shared goals, shared perspectives, shared work habits, and shared interpretations of success. I believe I am now performing.

I have always valued the importance of professional growth and development for the benefit of my students. I have always welcomed colleagues to observe my teaching practices. Over the years I have taken part in various district wide opportunities to develop professionally beyond my classroom walls. All of these opportunities have provided me with mentors in my profession. They have encouraged me to step out as a teacher leader, not only in my own building, but district wide. I want to do the same for others. I want to promote an environment of trust and respect. I want to encourage my colleagues and show them that I value their skills and abilities. Through TLI and my growth on the learning continuum, I have begun to work with teachers to provide information about our practice as well as promote growth in development professionally. Through these opportunities I have been able to encourage teachers who will make great mentors and teacher leaders themselves.

Adult Learning: Performing

Interpersonal Effectiveness: Performing

Collaborate Purposefully: Performing

Coaching and Mentoring: Performing

Next Steps

I would love to see the new teacher leaders continue to share with our staff each year through targeted professional development. I would love to create a district wide Ed Camp style professional development for middle school teachers to share their passion for teaching.

A passion of mine has always been professional learning. When I first started as a new teacher I took advantage of every professional learning opportunity that I would come across. Over the years, I began to transition to sharing my training forward to have a positive impact on those around me. Professional learning and skill development have always been a passion of mine and it was a natural development of my capstone. I truly believe that sometimes the best professional learning can take place through the teacher next door! As teachers we need to feel comfortable to share our expertise and feel comfortable to share our challenges that impact teaching and learning as well. My entire capstone is built around these ideas and cultivating an influence on other teachers to lead and build their capacity to effectively communicate and powerfully advocate as well. What I have learned as a teacher and teacher leader, is that I am continually learning from others in my profession.

Unpacking the standards was my first real deep reflection of where I was as a teacher and teacher leader according to the Teacher Leadership Competencies. These competencies were the tool by which my growth throughout the past year as a leader was measured. Taking an entire year to develop, revisit, and revise my core values, vision, and mission statement as a teacher had a profound impact on me.