Short and Long Term Goals/Educational and Personal Goals
Short Range Goals:
Educational Goals:
My immediate educational goal is to receive my MATL from Nova Southeastern University in December of 2003. I achieved a mini-goal through my acceptance into this program, as no previous teacher at my school had been allowed to enter in an online program to receive a degree. Therefore, just by entering the program, I have benefited my own small learning community. The knowledge and experience received from this program have made me a better teacher through classroom activities, theoretical research, information about accommodations, and multi-modal learning. I have learned about making practical applications out of theories and how to better manage and monitor student learning from this program. Obtaining a Master's degree will not only hopefully help me financially, it will also display my desire to be a lifelong learner. Evidence of this desire is beneficial for modeling educational success to the students and demonstrating my love of learning to principals, deans, and school boards. Earning this degree is the first step to several of my long-term goals.
Another short term educational goal deals with the NBCTS Certification. I am leery about spending so much money and putting so much on the line, but I would like this certification because of what it would mean to my professional development.
A more personal educational goal of mine is to learn Hebrew. One way I am trying to reach this goal is through self-instruction. My attempt to learn to sound out this language has made me more sensitive to the needs and situations of slow readers. Because I naturally read very fast, I did not previously truly empathize with the students who have to sound out every letter in every word before they can even begin to comprehend the material. Trying to achieve this goal has encouraged me to use munti-modal learning and brain-compatible learning in a different way than I ever dreamed possible: on myself! This goal has also made me part of a new learning community because as my knowledge of the language grows, the more young people I can reach; if I become more fluent in the subject matter, then I can teach it to others.
Other Professional Goals:
In May 2003, I hope to reach the career goal of gaining tenure and Cerro Gordo High School. Though the status itself provides no financial or appreciable perquisite gains, I will be proud when I have attained it. To reach this goal, I have had to demonstrate my alignment with content standards, ability to manage and monitor students, assessment procedures, teaching philosophy, understanding of subject matter, and general positive relationships with the students. My shcool is a "traditional" one, so being accepted as a professional despite or because of my insistence on multiple styles of teaching, encouragement of individual accountability, and espousal of different philosophies makes me even prouder of the achievement. The high school where I teach is also the one from which I graduated, so gaining tenure there is an honor for me as an alumni as well as a teacher.
Long Range Goals:
Educational Goal:
I have a specific long-range educational goal that stems from positive experiences with online instruction. In May 2004, I hope to begin the Doctorate of Education program throgh the University of Phoenix online. I should graduate in 2006. I reached another mini-goal for the faculty when I applied, as I am the first teacher approved to participate in the PhD program. This approval has excited many teachers in my learning community because most would like the opportunity to earn higher degrees. Working on this degree will make me even more committed to students' learning, better able to teach my subject matter, and more capable in my capacity as a monitor and manager of education. Completing the degree wil not only demonstrate and model to the students how to create and accomplish educational goals; it will also provide another step towards my future goals.
Other Professional Goals:
In two years, I would like to at least have the ability to teach Hebrew to the students at my Temple. I reached a goal I did not even know I had by becoming administrator for the relisgious school. This may be the avenue I follow to help the students in the temple rather than that of a traditional teacher.
Far Flung Random Goals
To do more theatre.
Vicky Gilpin
Follow Your Bliss
