Teacher Professional Growth Plan

Geoff Waugh
WCHS 2015
Name: Geoff Waugh
School: Winston Churchill High School

Internship Dates: September 1st

December 18th 2015

Teacher Mentors: Patrick Shackleford, Jaime Roberts

School

Administrator: Carey Rowntree

University Consultant: Len Robinson
A. Professional Goals
Goal #1: To incorporate three different teaching strategies or class activities into each
lesson in order to maintain student engagement and appeal to the variety of different
learning styles/rates in any given classroom
Rationale: Incorporating a wide variety of teaching strategies and class activities is
essential for creating a diverse learning environment and providing an opportunity for
students who struggle with one method of instruction, to benefit from another. Providing
a mix of teaching strategies also aims to keep students engaged, focused on the task at
hand, and provides an efficient use of class time while preventing periods of
unproductivity and confusion. I understand there are many different forms of learning,
and the frustration that coincides with trying to learn something being taught in an
ineffective manner. Therefore, providing lessons that incorporate a variety of teaching
methods can help students feel included and help them engage within the class. By
providing class instruction that appeals to all, students will be engaged and effective in
their class time, minimizing the monotony of everyday class, and preventing classroom
management issues.
KSAs: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, & 10
Goal #2: To effectively and consistently integrate methods of formative assessment to
grasp and communicate student progress and understanding of learning goals within the
classroom
Rationale: Integrating methods of formative assessment within the classroom on a
consistent basis will serve as a precursor to summative assessment. Accurate formative
assessment also serves as reliable and valid evidence of student understanding to
support summative assessment measures. Assessment for learning will directly inform
teacher instruction and is a crucial component for students to gauge and track their own
understanding before the pressures of summative assessment occurs. An educational
philosophy of mine is that students should feel comfortable taking risks and making
mistakes in a safe learning environment where ample opportunity is provided for them to
practice concepts before grades are assigned.
KSAs: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, & 11
Goal #3: Developing effective and efficient techniques to seamlessly involve students
with multiple absences within classroom activities without disrupting the learning
environment

Teacher Professional Growth Plan

Geoff Waugh
WCHS 2015
Rationale: To ensure all students feel welcomed in the classroom on any given day,
incorporating techniques that assist and provide opportunities for student engagement
within individual classes is an essential aspect of maintaining classroom management
and a positive learning environment. For various reasons students dont always make it to
class, however, techniques need to be established so students who have fallen behind
have an opportunity to catch up, and/or participate in the activities for the day.
KSAs: 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 12, & 15
B. Strategies to Achieve Goals
Strategies for addressing Goal #1:

I will outline each strategy within my lesson plan to ensure there is a minimum of
three unique teaching strategies selected
I will research effective strategies commonly used for particular lessons and how to
incorporate them within the lesson
I will utilize the experience of my Teacher Associates and fellow staff members, as
well as my University Consultant when designing lessons and units
I will include strategies that the students have outlined they learn best by having
them complete an exit slip pertaining to their education
I will reflect and assess how well I was able to integrate the different methods into
the lesson plan, as well as how effective I was at teaching through that particular
strategy
I will reflect on how well the students grasped the content and how they engaged
within the class through the use of these strategies
I will provide more videos and hands-on activities within my lesson plans so as to
differentiate learning strategies within the classroom, and provide students with a
different experience of engaging in Science
I will utilize more collaborative learning strategies within my lessons such as ThinkPair-Share, Jigsaw activities, A.E.I.O.U., Gallery walks, Group roles and Scaffolding
to ensure that students have an opportunity to communicate amongst themselves
and learn from each other

Strategies for addressing Goal #2:

I will outline each method of formative assessment within my lesson plan to ensure
I am consistently integrating this method within my lessons
Incorporating bell work to completed before class in a separate notebook that
reviews previous lesson concepts and provides formative assessment evidence
that informs subsequent instruction and is made available for parental
communication purposes
Integrate exit and entry slips to assess student understanding of particular lesson
concepts that also serves as immediate feedback for the students themselves
Consistently and frequently check for student understanding through a variety of
different strategies such as Thumbs Up, Sideways, or Down, as well as a Show of
Fingers, and other quick responses

Teacher Professional Growth Plan

Geoff Waugh
WCHS 2015
Consciously seek for students to elaborate and expand on their answers when
appropriate to highlight the depth of understanding
Utilize a variety of collaborative learning strategies where the students are at the
forefront of their own learning such as Jigsaws, Think-Pair-Shares, and various
group roles that help students expand their own knowledge through explanations
in their own terms
After group instructions to the class, have one or two students repeat these
instructions to their classmates
Consistently incorporate anecdotal discussions and group conversations to
elaborate and dive deeper into essential/interesting topics

Strategies for addressing Goal #3:

Whenever possible, provide a method of assessment designated for individual

lessons so as to have a form of assessment for all students on a day to day basis
Incorporate a variety of instructional techniques and methods of assessment so
that students can immerse themselves within the material for the day
Consistently welcome students to class and continuously work on creating
relationships and connections with every student so as to provide a positive
learning atmosphere where students want to be
Always have extra copies of handouts and assignments prepared and ready for
students who have missed class so they can have an opportunity to catch up
I will be persistent and reasonable with my expectations regarding I2 (flex) time, so
as students who have missed class will have this time to work on missed
assignments, go over content that was discussed, and ask questions regarding the
material that was missed
Discuss strategies with students, advisers and parents to increase attendance

C. Indicators of Progress
Indicators of Progress for Goal #1:

Lesson plans and personal reflections on the quality of lessons will provide
evidence of incorporating 3 different strategies/activities in each lesson
Oral and written feedback from my Teacher Associates and University Consultant
regarding the structures of my lessons and their effectiveness
Monitor student engagement and learning during lessons to help determine
effectiveness of strategies/activities used. Formative assessment during class time
is key

Indicators of Progress for Goal #2:

Teacher Professional Growth Plan

Geoff Waugh
WCHS 2015
Lesson plans and personal reflections on the integration and result of formative
assessment will provide evidence of incorporating this strategy effectively and
efficiently within my lessons
Oral and written feedback from my Teacher Associates and University Consultant
regarding the delivery and effectiveness of formative assessments utilized within
my lessons
Adaptations of lesson content and sequencing result as a product of formative
assessment
Students accurately use and understand the language of formative assessment
during lessons
Students are motivated to complete formative tasks in the absence of assigning
summative grades
Indicators of Progress for Goal #3:

Effective communication with advisers, parents, and students on the importance of

attendance for all their classes
Students showing an interest and consistently attending classes, submitting their
work on time, and being active members of the classroom environment
Positive rapport with students is experienced and can be directly linked to
improvements made in the learning environment
A noticeable improvement is observed in individual student attendance records

D. Timeline for Completion

Week of:

September

October 1st 16th

October 19th

Activities to be completed:
Get to know students, T.A.s and classroom/school
environment
Understand role in classroom and identify various teaching
responsibilities specific to internship placement
Begin developing connection and relationships with
students
Intervene when students are beginning to miss class on a
consistent basis
Begin incorporating different strategies and class activities
into my lesson planning beyond those of personal comfort
or habit
Purchase supplies necessary for students to begin utilizing
bell work strategies that begin individual lessons
Incorporate at least 1 exit slip and 1 formative quiz each
week
Ensure a conscious effort has been made to incorporate
checks for understanding in each lesson
Follow the protocol of attendance intervention, and ensure
that the students who have missed numerous classes have
been addressed, including parents and advisers
Continue to make well developed lesson plans that

Teacher Professional Growth Plan

Geoff Waugh
WCHS 2015
incorporate a wide variety of strategies/activities, which also
help with classroom management issues
Begin to develop some go to differentiation
strategies/techniques that work particularly well with each
group of students
Meet with T.A. and/or U.C. for insight towards meeting 3
goals and identifying areas of needed improvement
30th
Reflect on particular instances where lessons have been
adapted or modified due to formative assessment
Consciously check for understanding during direct
instruction, in addition to seeking evidence for student selfassessment
Discuss with T.A.s and administration on other intervention
techniques possible for students with poor attendance
Continue to utilize most effective differentiation and
formative assessment strategies and activities, while
researching and testing at least one new strategy for each
during this time frame
Students understand that formative assessment is an
integral part of classroom learning success
November 2nd
Frequent checks for understanding should be a habitual
13th
process by this point
Progress discussion with T.A. regarding improvement made
Consistently work on continuing a positive relationship with
all students, providing a positive classroom atmosphere
where students feel welcomed and safe
Continue to build upon rapport with students and further
understand what works well for each group of students in
terms of assessment/differentiation techniques
Evaluate effectiveness of various formative assessment
techniques and teaching strategies in consideration of
future teaching positions
Progress discussion with U.C. and/or administration
November 16th
regarding improvement made and potential considerations
30th
for future growth
Evaluate differentiation and assessment strategies from a
student perspective to ensure a variety of techniques are
meeting student needs and creating a rich learning
environment for all
Evaluate the intervention steps taken for students with
attendance issues and reflect on instances where things
could be improved upon
st
December 1
Reflect on success and/or failures of certain teaching
18th
strategies employed throughout the internship
Reflect on success and/or failures of various formative
assessment techniques used throughout the internship
Reflect on personal growth and development of efficient
adjustment for students who were absent during regular
class periods

Teacher Professional Growth Plan

Geoff Waugh
WCHS 2015
Personal reflection regarding the learning process and
improvements made throughout the duration of the
internship
Conduct final exit interview with T.A., U.C., and
administration where this professional growth plan is
discussed and assessed
E. Summary of Growth and Goals Achieved Upon Completion