Using a growth-mindset, I was able to identify future learning opportunities that will serve to unleash the potential for me to be the type of leader I want to be in the field of Education.  I would like to embark on opportunities ahead that grow skills and that allow me to make a larger impact in the classroom and in the lives of other educators.  Focusing first on empowering students, I would like to create an equitable learning experience for students, through a multi-sensory learning environment in the classroom in a way that brings inclusion in education for all students.  I am also passionate about expanding my skill base and empowering myself to serve as an Educational Coach to inspire, lead, and add value to other educators at all levels.  And lastly, I would like to learn how to empower other educational leaders by creating a ‘Learning Community’ where teachers can come together on a learning platform to collaborate with each other in discussion, share diverse learning perspectives, grow professionally, and benefit from a supportive inclusive community. 

In mainstream environments, teaching takes the form of having students listen to instruction or by reading materials.  This can make learning difficult and less inclusive as some children are not able to process information in this way.  For example, verbal instruction or using speech alone can be challenging as students must have basic language skills to access the meaning of the instruction.  One of my learning goals is to research to learn how to create an inclusive learning environment through Multisensory Learning.  Multisensory Learning incorporates varying types of sensory learning including visual, auditory, kinaesthetic, tactile, olfactory and gustatory.  “Research indicates that a multi-sensory approach engages more of the brain, resulting in superior learning outcomes”.  Students use more than one sensory input and are able to better comprehend and use information and are more motivated to learn.  This type of learning is a good approach for teaching students with learning differences such as ADHD, Dyslexia, or learning disability. Multi-sensory instruction allows for students to overcome barriers they may encounter with traditional forms of classroom instruction.  

One of my learning goals is to grow in ways that will add value to teachers at varying levels and in all disciplines.  As a second grade teacher, I currently serve as a Team Lead to the other second grade teachers.  With this being my first year of teaching, I am humbled with this leadership role, however I would like to expand my knowledge base to be able to coach, support, and inspire educators at all levels as an Instructional Coach.  “Instructional coaches partner with teachers to help them improve teaching and learning so students are more successful. To do this, coaches collaborate with teachers to get a clear picture of current reality, identify goals, pick teaching strategies to meet the goals, monitor progress, and problem-solve until the goals are met”. There is a training opportunity by attending the TLC Conference in October 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona or by attending a series of virtual workshops by the Instructional Coaching Group.

As educators we are not mere technicians that relay the information of others to students, but growth-minded individuals in the business of sharing ideas and constructing new knowledge.  But oftentimes we find ourselves isolated in our classrooms and so do our students.  Professional Learning Communities provide a platform for educators to meet to share ideas, provide support, examine their practices, and create and test new ideas.  These communities provide the venue for the collective development and sharing of new practices, as well as professional development.  I would like to learn how to develop and implement this type of learning platform as a safe, supportive, and creative way for educators to share ideas and learn best practices for our trade.  A video that describes the implementation of a Professional Learning Community is as follows: Professional Learning Community Video

Teachers have a special responsibility to ensure that all children reach their full potential.  By connecting with students in an inclusive learning environment, teachers optimize the potential for all students to be successful.  As our understanding of human learning evolves, so too should our practices in the field of education.  By having a growth mindset, a young educator like myself can find ways to contribute to the growth of the teaching profession in meaningful ways. As educators   we can seek to empower our students, ourselves, and each other to keep growing and evolving in a global learning community.