Guide to Chapter 9: Professional Learning & Growing

Engaging in key vocabulary with reflections: 

Advocate

As discussed in this chapter, this is a tricky word sometimes and must really be paired with the reflection in Chapter 5 to be effective and respectful. Advocate should mean someone who walks alongside others to effect change. To advocate should mean to use our voice, position, knowledge, and time to support community efforts in effecting change. We all are advocates as teachers and it is our responsibility to ensure that we are current with our understanding of the rights of the students and families that we serve. We also must know best practices for educating students with diverse needs and communicating with families. 

What are ways that we can establish a coalition for advocacy when we may be the only ones who see that there is an inequity—at a school level, at a local level, at the state level? How do we consider our own job security as we advocate for our students and their families? What local organizations would be helpful in either educating us on issues or walking alongside us in advocacy? 

Self-directed professional learning: 

The great thing about this is the flexibility and choice (as discussed in the chapter) as this is often a delineation between district- or university-sponsored initiatives and what we determine is useful for ourselves. In Chapter 10, we discuss journaling and reflecting—this may also guide your PL goals as well. 

An unexpected and joyful result of our respective PL journeys are the connections we made and even personal friendships that have resulted in them. There’s nothing better than to learn alongside someone who either shares your passion or makes you question things in a productive way—and then can share a coffee with you afterwards. Note that some of the best professional learning may include things out of your “wheelhouse.” 

In your first years, you are learning every day, all day. What may be some ways that you can select professional learning that feeds your soul and improves your practice? How can you establish a community of learners who can take PL journeys with you? 

Activities for engagement: 

Professional Learning vs. Development Reflection: Reflect on the difference between professional learning and professional development. Share examples of each from your experience and discuss how agency and choice impact your engagement and growth. 

Book Club Planning Session: Design a professional book club for your school or team. Choose a theme (e.g., pedagogy, equity, self-care, culture), plan logistics (format, frequency, discussion prompts), and consider including banned or culturally responsive books. (Note: Series of children’s or young adult books are valuable as well!)

Social Media Profile Audit: Create or review your professional social media presence. Identify educators, organizations, and platforms to follow. Set goals for how you’ll use social media for learning and networking collaboratively and keep each other accountable. 

Virtual Learning Exploration: Research and share a webinar, virtual conference, or online course. Present its relevance to your goals and discuss how virtual learning expands access and supports autonomy.

PLC Design Challenge: Design a Professional Learning Community (PLC) for your school, university, cohort, or educational peers. Choose a focus, outline meeting structure, goals, and roles. Include ideas for informal mentorship and collaboration.

Advocacy Role Play: Role-play scenarios where educators advocate for students, families, or colleagues. Discuss the difference between advocacy and saviorism and reflect on how to center community voices.

Mindful Educator Practice: Create a personal mindfulness plan. Include affirmations, reflection routines, and stress management strategies. Share how mindfulness can improve classroom climate and educator well-being. 

Five-Year Vision & Growth Map: Create a professional growth map. Include short-term and long-term goals. Identify learning opportunities, credentials, and experiences that will support your journey.

Digital Portfolio: Design an electronic space that highlights your teaching and accomplishments. This is not only a great way to reflect and celebrate but is useful for job searching and promotions.