Professional Development
Standards
- The candidate has deep knowledge of current and emerging state initiatives and programs including, but not limited to, the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI); the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI); Alabama Learning Exchange (ALEX); Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators and Students Statewide (ACCESS); and RTI (Response to Instruction) and their relationship to student achievement. Through the use of social media, I have the ability to keep up with the latest Professional Development workshops for SREB (Southern Regional Education Board, AMSTI, and AP Central. Not only does social media provide dates available for the workshops on Twitter and Facebook, but social media also the creates opportunities for collaboration of colleagues in common subject areas. This is the most beneficial to me.
- The candidate understands how content and skill development can be supported by media and technology and knows how to evaluate these resources for quality, accuracy, and effectiveness. With teaching Mathematics, there are tons of resources available. After all, the internet has given us an unlimited supply of choices. So which ones are best? Like shopping or picking a restaurant, the reviews are always the place to go. Social media has been a way for people to ¨review¨ a resource. Through my facebook groups for Pre-Calculus and Calculus Teachers, I have learned of different resources on Teachers Pay Teachers, DeltaMath, Khan Academy, and AP Central. Some of these I would never know about if it was not for these social media groups.
- The candidate dedicates time to collaborate with both colleagues and students to improve practice, discover and share resources and ideas, and solve problems. In addition, my Facebook group for AP Calculus tremendously in the last few weeks of school as I needed good review material for the exam. Several teachers in my group stated some links in Canvas, a host for our resources. They also stated doing some Kahoot games that are premade as well as some circuit training on Teacher Pay Teachers. AP Calculus teachers are not common in a school system or a high school. For instance, I am the only AP Calculus teacher in our school district. Therefore, it is hard to collaborate with anyone on the subject. Social media has helped significantly in making me feel supported.
- The candidate continually improves his or her practice by learning from and with others and exploring proven and promising practices that leverage technology to improve student learning. In following AMSTI and Desmos on Twitter, I have learned various ways to use technology in my classroom that will be effective in teaching mathematics. For instance, NCTM offers programs such as Illuminations which offer free, hands-on activities. Desmos offers lessons and activities for students to critically think, collaborate, and self-pace in their learning of Mathematics.
- The candidate seeks out opportunities for leadership to support student empowerment and success and to improve teaching and learning. In addition to following AMSTI, I learned about Train the Trainer Professional Development. Through this program, I can start presenting AMSTI professional development to teachers in the North Alabama Districts. This is so exciting and would not have been as easily accessible without social media such as Twitter and Facebook. Teachers can follow AMSTI on both platforms to discover summer training as well as training throughout the school year.