Professional Growth Plan

My vision as an educational technology leader is to become a Director of Instructional Design who leads the development of innovative, inclusive, and meaningful learning experiences. As an experienced elementary educator, I understand how instructional decisions directly affect teachers and students. Through my doctoral studies in Educational Technology Leadership, I plan to build upon my classroom experience by developing expertise in instructional design, emerging technologies, curriculum development, and professional learning. My goal is to lead a team that uses technology purposefully to improve teaching and learning.

My educational leadership philosophy is grounded primarily in inclusive leadership because I believe effective leaders create environments where people feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute. Inclusive leadership emphasizes the involvement and engagement of everyone within a group (Northouse, 2026). My philosophy also incorporates transformational, servant, authentic, and adaptive leadership. These approaches encourage me to inspire others, serve the needs of my community, lead with integrity, and remain flexible as education and technology continue to evolve (Northouse, 2025). Together, they reflect the leader I want to become: collaborative, innovative, supportive, and focused on solutions.

My years in the classroom have given me a strong foundation in designing instruction, adapting learning experiences, collaborating with others, and meeting the needs of diverse learners. I intend to combine this experience with research and advanced knowledge of educational technology to become an expert who connects effective teaching practices with innovative instructional design. As shown in Table 1, my professional growth over the next three academic years will follow a Build, Apply, and Lead approach.

I will use my professional portfolio to document projects, certifications, presentations, professional development, and leadership experiences in order to measure my growth. At the end of each academic year, I will review these benchmarks and adjust my Professional Growth Plan as necessary. My goal is not simply to hold the title of Director of Instructional Design, but to become a leader who inspires others, embraces innovation, and creates inclusive learning experiences that make a meaningful difference for educators and learners.

Reference

Northouse, P. G. (2025). Leadership: Theory and practice (10th ed.). SAGE Publications.