Domain 7

Experiences and Reflections

Domain 7 focuses on teachers’ personal growth and professional development. It accentuates teachers’ proper and high personal regard for the profession by maintaining qualities that uphold the dignity of teaching such as caring attitude, respect and integrity. This Domain values personal and professional reflection and learning to improve practice. It recognizes the importance of teachers’ assuming responsibility for personal growth and professional development for lifelong learning.

Personal development is part of an innate human need to grow and reach our full potential. It is an ongoing process that starts as young children in our formative years and continues long into old age. It allows people to set goals, assess and learn new skills and develop our individual qualities that make us who we are. Personal development helps lead people to a more fulfilled, happier and higher quality lives. Maslow defines this as “self-actualisation,” and the epitome of what one strives for in life. In order to reach this phase of personal development we must satisfy inherent needs such as safety and security, love and belonging, and esteem needs.