About six weeks into the school year you will need to begin formalizing your Professional Development Plan (PDP), a yearly requirement throughout your PCI and PCII certification. Plan time to meet with your mentor and building principal, and collaboratively determine which goals should be your priority for this first year. Select only two or three goals, and determine the steps needed to accomplish those goals. You will want to set high expectations while making the goals attainable. Use the “Teacher Self-Assessment Inventory” if you need help in narrowing your choices.
You will need to make sure that you plan, implement, and evaluate this PDP on a yearly basis. Some goals (effective classroom management) may span the entire three years; other goals may be short-term in length and quickly accomplished. You may also need to modify the plan during the year. Again, make sure that you work with your building principal as you make these modifications.
As you evaluate your plan at the end of the first year, it is a good idea to update your plan and your goals for the upcoming year.
Be sure to document (with signatures) the development and evaluation of the plan on a yearly basis. When it is time to upgrade your certification, you will need to show evidence to your principal that you have developed and implemented a professional development plan.