Patton, Parker and Tannehill (2015) argue that p rofessional development goals are aimed at increasing and improving competencies, capabilities by way of training and learning opportunities at the workplace (24). These are goals achievable through job sharing, mentoring, coaching, videos, seminars, and webinars. According to Stewart (2014) professional development goals aim at increasing one's skill and knowledge (29). They are goals focused on learning plans and enhancing an individual's ability to deliver positively at the workplace. One of the most critical aspects of professional goals is the role of the organization or institutions. An institution's commitment to the same is essential to helping an individual increase on their job motivation and job satisfaction. As a teacher/instructor, the two professional goals that I want to develop are: read more children psychology books and build my professional network.
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My short term goal is: Read a minimum of two books per month |
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My long term goal is: Network More within and outside my Profession |
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| Goal |
Action Steps What activities/ steps will you take to achieve your goal? |
Resources Needed What resources will you take to achieve your goal? |
Progress towards Goal How will you know that you reached your goal? What evidence will you be able to show others? |
| I will read a minimum of two books on children psychology, education issues, and children affairs |
Research diverse topics and opportunities on children growth and development Buy at least two books each month on the above three topics Prepare a reading and library section in my study room. |
Money to buy the book and build my library. Time to read the books (Two each month). Time to research on the best children books. Time to research diverse children topics. |
I will know that I reached this goal by: Complete at least two books every moth. Able to relate and integrate my teaching skills with my reading and research. Able to apply my acquired knowledge and skills. |
| Build my Professional Network |
Makes many professional contacts Associate with many instructors in my field and outside Establish close connection with colleagues outside my professional work Join clubs, groups, and associations with will enable me connect with as many professionals as possible. Volunteer in club and group activities |
Time Money to travel to various grouping activities and meetings |
Established at least one strong professional contact with strong ties Exchanged contacts Have various ideologies or projects on-going |
Strengths
I am disciplined, committed, and have strong interpersonal skills. I can make good connections with others; establish strong interrelationships at the workplace. I learn from my mistakes, and I can correct and make my professional attributes align with my goals and objectives. I have strong communication skills, a trait that has often positioned me for significant progress in my day to day endeavors while handling students.
I appreciate the role of teacher’s play in children’s lives. I also understand and appreciate the value and essence of education. These have often enabled me to strike a healthy and positive vibe with my work-related commitment, helping me to further commit to my duties and responsibilities. Above all, I love building up my staff, helping them work towards achieving their goals in line with outlined education frameworks and parameters.
Areas for Growth
I need to prioritize my tasks and have a plan for all my day to day engagements. I mix up my duties, a situation that often makes me lack the professionalism required. Despite my excellent communication skills, I have often failed to establish a secure connection and relations with other staff and outside contacts. As I have indicated in my long term goal, I need to improve on building and to maintain positive relationships with external professionals. At the same time, I need to establish and maintain a positive relationship with other staff within my working environment and especially those I share with common ideologies and work. Maintaining positive relations is also another attribute that I need to improve on as most often, I fail to acknowledge and appreciate close personal ties. I also need to work on my planning schedules and accounting work. Often I postpone and delegate tasks that I am supposed to undertake. Such often puts me at odds with my daily achievement plan as I am not in control of my tasks, duties and responsibilities at times. The attribute often drag my scheduled goal achievement plans.
I need to improve my management skills, organization skills, and planning. Often, I fail in meeting my deadlines due to poor/inappropriate planning and organization. For example, planning for professional development for employees has often been a challenge, a feature that has often denied me the opportunity to achieve my set target daily, especially managing and organization employees.
Reflection upon your learning
From my experience, I have learned that a professional development plan is very critical for any professional. It is a way by which one can gauge their professionalism and relevance within the workplace. I also learned that professional improvement is a step by step strategy that enables one to overcome their weaknesses and strengthen their potential. I am an excellent and fast reader. Although I have poor connection with my workmates, I believe that I can establish strong connections professionally. At the same time, I need to take my time and know my target colleagues I wish to connect and network with at my workplace. Not all share the same professional goals, and such may only waste my time. I look forward to growing and learning more, especially towards overcoming my weaknesses and augmenting my teaching ability and skills.
Shaffer & Thomas-Brown (2015) maintain that p ersonal management and improvement is a critical aspect of professional development. All through my analysis and evaluation of my work performance and engagement, I realized that professional development and growth encompass various and diverse issues and affairs all connected towards goal achievement. Planning and organization remains the key to professional growth and performance. At the same time, exposure to scholarly works, diverse opinions, and ideologies remain the key to professional development and growth.
References
Patton, K., Parker, M., & Tannehill, D. (2015). Helping teachers help themselves: Professional development that makes a difference. NASSP bulletin , 99 (1), 26-42. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kevin_Patton/publication/273433716_Helping_Teachers_Help_Themselves/links/550068840cf2d61f820d7911.pdf
Shaffer, L., & Thomas-Brown, K. (2015). Enhancing teacher competency through co-teaching and embedded professional development. Journal of Education and Training Studies , 3 (3), 117-125. http://redfame.com/journal/index.php/jets/article/viewFile/685/696
Stewart, C. (2014). Transforming professional development to professional learning. Journal of Adult Education , 43 (1), 28-33. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1047338.pdf
