Professional Growth Plan 

Short-Term Goals  

Introduction

This Professional Growth Plan (PGP) outlines my strategic goals, personal academic and career development plans, and strategies to improve my effectiveness as a counselor. I am passionate about supporting my students' academic achievement and growth. I aim to continue advocating for students and assisting at-risk and underrepresented students in achieving their goals. Supporting student success, personal and social development, and enhancing self-esteem and social skills are all important to me. It is crucial in my role to create a safe, inclusive environment where all students feel welcomed and can develop both personally and academically. Promoting emotional well-being and helping my students manage stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges are fundamental aspects of my counseling philosophy. 

Professional Strengths

As a school counselor, I have effectively used strengths such as communication skills, fostering an inclusive environment, supporting diversity, building strong relationships, demonstrating empathy, and problem-solving. At STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges, where I serve as a secondary counselor, my focus is on college and career readiness. Most of my students are high-achieving and hold high expectations for their academics and future. They have thrived with support from my school's administration, teachers, and guidance services.

 Areas for Improvement

Improvement in the following areas as a counseling professional: early intervention and crisis intervention, group counseling, referral to external resources, and, most notably, the use of technology in counseling. Significant advances in technology, both in digital and telehealth therapy, have transformed how counselors deliver services.

Educational Leadership Philosophy

Servant leadership is the style that appeals to me the most among the three, based on my own professional approach and how I have tried to lead within my district and the organizations I have worked for. The ten characteristics of servant leadership are: listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to the growth of people, and building community, as described by Peter G. Northhouse in Leadership: Theory and Practice (Northhouse, P., 2021).

2024-2025 Academic School Year

☒    Provided support for the Educational Technology Leadership Department as a part-time Graduate Assistant at NJCU.

☒    Improved my knowledge of SEL and provided additional resources for my students by completing district-wide training.

☒    Completed District-wide Guidance Curriculum writing for the Orange Public School District.

☒    Organized the inaugural College and Career Fair at STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges during Fall 2024.

☒    Organized the first out-of-state College Tour to the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University for the STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges during Fall 2024.

☒    Attended an Essex County Education Association Conference in Winter 2024.

☒    Implemented new college and career readiness partnerships and opportunities for STEM Innovation Academy Students (St. Elizabeth University – Summer residential program).

☒    Attended the 2024 NJEA Convention with the Educational Technology Leadership Department as an Exhibitor/Member.

☒    Implemented SEL partnerships with community organizations (i.e., NJ4S) for the STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges

☒    Helped facilitate professional development workshops and webinars with the Educational Technology Leadership department (i.e., 2025 STEAM Carnival of Inclusivity, Fall 2024, and Spring 2025 Ed Tech webinar series).

☒    Improved the use and integration of Naviance “Career and College Readiness technology at the STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges

☒    Completed the first year of Ed.D. Educational Technology Leadership   

2025-2026 Academic School Year

☐    Provide support for the Educational Technology Leadership Department as the full-time Graduate Assistant at NJCU.

☐    Attend the 2025 NJEA Convention with the Educational Technology Leadership Department as an Exhibitor/Member.

☐    Submit a Presentation Proposal for the Essex County School Counselors’ Association Conference in Spring 2026.

☐    Organize the second annual College and Career Fair at STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges during Fall 2025.

☐    Organize the first HBCU College tour for the STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges Students.

☐    Participate in the New Jersey School Counselor Association Conference.

☐    Present a student HIB (Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying) workshop for the STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges.

☐    Present a webinar for the Educational Technology Leadership Spring 2026 webinar series.

☐    Obtain renewal of my Notary Public Designation.

☐    Submit a proposal to present at the “A Dream Deferred” CollegeBoard Conference in Philadelphia, PA, in Spring 2026.

☐    Submit my dissertation proposal.

☐    Complete the second year of Ed.D. Educational Technology Leadership.

2026-2027 Academic School Year

☐    Take the National Counselor Examination to obtain to become a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC).

☐    Attend the 2026 NJEA Convention with the Educational Technology Leadership Department as an Exhibitor/Member.

☐    Present at the New Jersey School Counselor Association Conference.

☐    Present an SEL (Social Emotional Learning) workshop for parents at STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges.

☐    Complete and successfully defend my dissertation.

☐    Graduate from the Ed.D. Educational Technology Leadership program.

References

Northouse, P. G. (2021). Leadership: Theory and practice (9th ed.). Sage Publications.