Professional Learning Plan (PLP) Stage 1: Self-Reflection & Assessment

This term I began my Professional Learning Plan (PLP). I have decided to blog each stage of the process on my blog for documentation purposes.

Stage 1

Meeting 1: Introduction to the process. Teacher self-reflection and assessment of Teacher Professional Standards. The teacher reflects on their practice and completes the self-assessment tool and domains.

This process was quite useful for me. I used self-assessment rubrics provided by the school leadership team to rate my current abilities against the AITSL Standards.

Here is an example of what it looked like:

Standard 1_Know_Students_and_How_they_Learn:

Teacher Self-rating

Well-below expectation Below expectation Sometimes meets expectation Meets expectation Exceeds expectation Significantly exceeds expectation
Yes Yes

Comments: The one area where I feel I need further experience and development is 1.4 Demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of the impact of culture, cultural identity and linguistic background on the education of students from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background.

I am interesting in exploring avenues and further opportunities/experiences that could cater for this enhancement in my practice.

In all other areas I meet expectations and feel I’m highly accomplished in 1.

I have completed rubrics and reflected on each AITSL Standard. Files attached below for your viewing.

Standard 2_Know_the_Content_and_How_to_Teach_It:

Teacher Self-rating

Well-below expectation Below expectation Sometimes meets expectation Meets expectation Exceeds expectation Significantly exceeds expectation

Yes

Yes

Comments: I feel that in areas of ICT I am highly accomplished and model high level teaching knowledge and skills with my work colleagues. There are some areas of the curriculum where I am not as confident, especially in Science and Mathematics. Assessment and reporting is an area I have identified as a challenge, sometimes I have higher expectations and read achievements at a lower standard than they actually are.

Mathematics is my main area of concern and is a subject I would like to explore further. I’m not particularly confident in my content knowledge teaching Upper Primary Mathematics. In particular I would like to learn the timing and delivery of each area that naturally leads onto the next area. I think Mathematics is very sequential and requires forward planning and this is something I require guidance with in Upper Primary.

Standard 3_Plan_for_and_Implement_Effective_Teaching_and_Learning:

Teacher Self-rating

Well-below expectation Below expectation Sometimes meets expectation Meets expectation Exceeds expectation Significantly exceeds expectation
Yes 

Comments: I feel that this Standard is an area of strength. I have quite high professional standards and engage with content and processes, which demonstrate this.

Standard 4_Create_and Maintain_ Supportive_and_Safe_Learning_Environments:

Teacher Self-rating

Well-below expectation Below expectation Sometimes meets expectation Meets expectation Exceeds expectation Significantly exceeds expectation
Yes

Comments: This is also an area of personal strength. I pride myself in the ability to provide a safe and inclusive learning environment. I have spent time engaging in PD to enhance student well being.

Standard 5_Assess_Provide_Feedback_and_Report_on_Student_Learning:

Teacher Self-rating

Well-below expectation Below expectation Sometimes meets expectation Meets expectation Exceeds expectation Significantly exceeds expectation
Yes  Yes 

Comments: I see value in providing verbal and written feedback and modelling how to self-assess and peer-assess. This is an area I feel have been successful in especially using student blogs and reflective practices.

I feel that I do not refer back to student tests and results enough, I usually use them when reporting writing or preparing for interviews, but I think there needs to be a different approach to assessment rather than simply standardised tests. I would like to focus on collecting more relevant samples of work. Portfolios are changing for Year 6 with E-Portfolios, so this is an area I could look at more closely.

Standard 6_Engage_in_Professional_Learning:

Teacher Self-rating

Well-below expectation Below expectation Sometimes meets expectation Meets expectation Exceeds expectation Significantly exceeds expectation

Yes

Yes

Comments: I have been closely engaging with the AITSL Standards over the last year and incorporating what I do and how I achieve these standards on my blog. Any professional development I undertake becomes a blog post to document and record my learning and adds to my professional evidence of achievements. I feel that I am doing this well but I need to refocus some of my PD into my challenging subject areas such as Mathematics and Science. Being that I am working in the MYP, which has become very subject focussed, I’m not sure if this is worthwhile. I will be taking Language & Literature as a core subject so directing my PD towards that is also important.

Standard 7_Engage_Professionally_with Colleagues_Parents_Carers_and_the_Community:

Teacher Self-rating

Well-below expectation Below expectation Sometimes meets expectation Meets expectation Exceeds expectation Significantly exceeds expectation

Yes

Yes

Comments: This is also an area of strength. I pride myself in the ability to openly communicate with the school community. I make myself available face to face, via email, online learning platforms, attending school social functions/ events, accessible within the class etc. I have enjoyed working in the Year 6 open learning space. Team teaching has been a useful tool and opened up my ability to network and plan collaboratively. I have been engaging with other professionals via Twitter and blogging. I have been engaging with school documentation in particular the behavioural management policy and YCDI to assist with student management. I was also involved in the reviewing process of iPad & and safe technology use policies whilst in the iPad Steering committee.

After the self-assessment against AITSL Standards we were then asked to answer some reflective questions under five domains.

These were the domains:

1. Student Achievement

2. Relationships

3. Communication

4. School & Program Initiatives

5. Reputation

Here is an example of one of my responses :

(These were written in bullet points to elaborate on in meetings with leadership)

Domain 2 -Teacher Self Reflection Statement – Relationships 

How well do you build relationships in your school and its wider community?

To what extent do these relationships support the values, ethos and strategic intent of your school?

What has been achieved?

  • Trust and respect across class, school and community
  • Open communication
  • Happy students, parents and teachers
  • The development of lasting relationships beyond that class/ school year

What are the particular areas of strength?

  • Personalised education
  • Developing relationships and bonds with my students & parents
  • Personal Development (YCDI)
  • Recognising the potential of each individual

What are the personal leadership attributes and gifts that you bring to the role?

  • Creating a fun and comfortable, safe learning environment for students to thrive in.
  • Leading my students to discover personal strengths and potentials.

What are the organisational and performance barriers that have impeded personal effectiveness?

Nil, sometimes I’m a little too honest or can be guarded if having issues with a parent/ student.

If I am criticised for my efforts I get upset and take it personally instead of viewing it as constructive feedback.

What aspects of your role (if any) have not been addressed adequately by you?

Time, balancing workload, when I answer emails etc.

What are the aspects of performance that need to be improved?

I think that this is an area of strength.

This completed Stage 1 of the PLP Process.

 

 

Staff Professional Learning Plan: The Process in 2014

This year our school has developed a new Staff Professional Learning Programme to aid professional refection and refinement within our own areas of work. This process will allowed us to self-assess and monitor our professional needs. It will also assist us with the process of meeting AITSL Standards.

http://www.aitsl.edu.au/

The Process of Evaluation & Goal Setting is as follows:

The whole evaluation process breaks down into seven identifiable stages.

1. Meeting 1: Introduction to the process. Teacher self-reflection and assessment of Teacher Professional Standards. The teacher reflects on their practice and completes the self-assessment tool and domains.

2. Preparation for Lesson Observation/s: 
The teacher meets with the member of the Leadership Team acting as supervisor to negotiate a lesson observation. Lessons will be filmed.

3. Student surveys: The teacher organises with their supervisor a time for the supervisor to administer the  student surveys with their class. Student surveys and lesson observations provide valuable feedback on teaching practices and areas that the teacher wishes to focus upon.

4. Review of Data & goal setting: The teacher collates and reviews the Self-Assessment of Teacher Professional StandardsStudent Surveys, and Observation Notes and builds their journal/portfolio in order to begin generating SMART GOALS using a set template.

5. Meeting 2:  The Action Plan
Review and Goal Setting: Teacher and supervisor meet to discuss the teacher’s action plan and SMART goals.  
The teacher and supervisor meet to review collated data and documentation. Goals are to be written in reference to the focus area within the AITSL professional standards and as SMART goals.

6. Meeting 3: Goal setting sign off: Teacher, Principal and supervisor meet to agree on collated data and SMART goals. This should occur within two weeks of meeting one.

7. Goal review meetings: 
Teacher and supervisor meet three times over the next 12 months to review and monitor progress of SMART goals.

I have been working through each of these steps and am currently up to Stage 5.

I am going to create a blog post about each step of this process to provide evidence of my journey and professional learning.

This is one way of formally documenting my progress to provide evidence for my school’s leadership team. I will also find this process useful to keep track of my goals and tick some of the AITSL Standard boxes.

Wish me luck!