Running head: A LOOK FORWARD 1

A Look Forward

National University

Brittany Simon
A LOOK FORWARD 2

Abstract

This paper will explain my 5 year plan and a look forward into my future teaching career.

I have not yet started teaching in my own classroom, as I was completing my Masters in

conjunction with my teaching credential. As a lifelong learner, I love that there are so many

opportunities for educators to expand their knowledge and enhance their skills. Although I do not

have my own classroom yet, I have big plans for the next 5 years and my professional

development as an educator.
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Five Year Plan

This year I will be subbing and applying for teaching positions.

2020
I plan to be in my own classroom by now and to continue my
2021 professional development. I would like to start with the
Cognitive Learning Series at University of San Diego in the
summer. I will also be completing BTSA to clear my credential.

I plan to complete my Cognitive Learning Series that focuses on

2022 CGI in the classroom during the summer. This will also be my
last year of BTSA and I will have a clear credential.

By year 3 of teaching, I would like to continue to build my units

2023 by taking professional development courses at San Diego State
University – I am very interested in courses where I can learn
how to better serve at-risk youth and the underserved student
populations.

Begin the process of becoming Nationally Board Certified.

2024 Teachers may only begin this process of certification after
clearing the credential and must have taught for 3 years
minimum. Beyond this I will continue to take a professional
development course of my interest each summer to reach my
goal of 75 total units.

Year One

I took the route of getting my Master’s degree in conjunction with my multiple subject

credential. I also took the route of becoming a mother while starting my career. I have 3 amazing

boys ages 9, 3, and 1. I decided it was best after I graduate, to take the year off and get my 3 year

old into preschool and wait for my 1 year old to get a bit older before putting him into daycare.

In the meantime, I will be subbing at the districts I hope to get hired in and putting together my

resume, cover letter and portfolio. I can also use my PDQP to make myself more marketable. I

will be submitting my applications in the spring of 2020 and hope to be starting in my own

classroom in the school year 2020-21.

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Year Two

I am extremely interested in Cognitive Guided Instruction (CGI) as it offers a student-

centered learning approach. It is a way of teaching that just makes sense to me and will help me

reach all learners. USD’s website explains, “Understanding how students learn and how their

brains develop and function are key to enhancing academic performance. These courses provide

a glimpse into the young mind and how you can use that knowledge to your advantage to

promote successful learning” (2019). I was exposed to some CGI while student teaching and

have been captivated by its process and I cannot wait to learn more.

Year Three

From what I have heard from other first and second year teachers, BTSA is not exactly a

walk in the park. There is a lot of papers to write, presentations to give, and evidence to collect. I

imagine this will take a lot of my time in year one and two of teaching and do not want to

overstress myself with nonessentials. I plan to give my full attention to BTSA to be sure to pass

and clear my credential. I plan to complete the professional development courses of CGI in the

summertime when I have more freedom to do so.

Year Four

I discovered extended learning courses that can be taken online at San Diego State

University that are focused on at-risk youth, a population I have always been interested in

helping after my time tutoring in an all-boy’s group home here in San Diego County. SDSU

offers a professional certificate in the development of at-risk students which I would love to

pursue. This will help me become a better teacher no matter where I teach because they train

teachers in topics of “anger-control strategies, conflict resolution, structured problem-solving

skills, among other things”. In today’s age of teaching, knowing how to deal with the social-
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emotional side of children is just as important as knowing how to teach the subject matter. It will

help me in my overall classroom management, my ability to reach every learner, and my ability

to create the harmonious classroom environment that I strive for.

Year Five

By year five, I hope to be well established and tenured in my district. My goal in year

five is to start the National Board Certification process. This is an extremely rigorous and tough

process to get through and is only given to the most elite of teachers. It is really the most

prestigious certification that can be given. My mother always wanted to become certified but is

retiring in a year and has let that dream go. I cannot fault her, as she possesses a PhD in

Education and has accomplished so much in her teaching career. I think that it would make her

really proud if I became certified and I would feel whole-heartedly accomplished as a teacher.

After becoming certified, I would love to continue to take professional development courses. My

goal is to reach at least 75 units. After year five, we will just have to see!

References
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National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (2019). Retrieved from

https://www.nbpts.org/

San Diego State University. (2019). Professional development for educators. Retrieved from

https://ces.sdsu.edu/education/professional-development-for-educators

San Diego State University. (2019). Online reading and literacy added authorization. Retrieved

from https://ces.sdsu.edu/education/online-reading-and-literacy-added-authorization

University of San Diego. (2019). Cognitive learning series. Retrieved from

https://pce.sandiego.edu/public/category/courseCategoryCertificateProfile.do?method=lo

ad&certificateId=25214