Running head: Looking Forward 1

Looking Forward

Terisa James

National University
Looking Forward 2

Abstract

This paper is outlines my projected plans for the next 5 years for personal and professional

growth/development on my journey in as an art educator. This timeline outlines the process that

I plan to use in relation to the continued growth and competence of the California Teacher

Performance Expectations, pedagogy, and art subject matter mastery as a teacher. An important

aspect of being an educator is the ability to identify competencies and assess professional growth

in terms of my effectiveness in helping students achieve optimal learning outcomes. My plan for

professional growth will include the creation and presentation of artifacts that showcase my

accomplishments, training, and teaching philosophies as I reach deeper understandings and

facilitate the same in my students. I will list and justify why I chose professional development in

the following areas.

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As I write this five year plan I have to suspend my skepticism because, being an older

student and having had some considerable life experiences and I have learned that things don’t

always go as planned. However, with a positive approach I will endeavor to put forth my dream

plan.

Year One: I plan to finish my Masters of Education with emphasis on Education

Technology. After completion of this class, I have only to complete my TPA’s and begin my

student teaching for 3 months. Since I won’t be able to student teach until the fall, I will

continue in my current position as Media Production Assistant at Lindbergh Schweitzer

Elementary. I plan to learn as much as possible about engaging parents in supporting student

learning using the latest digital technologies such as Web site, email, text message, video, and

various social media platforms. I will include some of my research and experiences in one or

more of my domains. My current position allows me the freedom to growth as a leader as well

as facilitate school wide art projects and campaigns in a very creative capacity, which I love. It

just doesn’t pay enough to thrive in San Diego while raising a family but the experience I am

gaining is invaluable. I’ve learned a lot about administration and the various leadership roles in

an elementary school and am considering a future leadership role for myself in the VAPA

department or something Arts Education related.

So, with all of that said, I plan to apply for an Art Teacher position/district internship

program before May 31 of the year at High Tech High. I love the project based philosophy of
st

those schools and both of my children are enrolled at the Point Loma campus. If I get an offer

of employment this will change my trajectory a little in a wonderful way. Since, I haven’t done

my student teaching yet, I would enter into a two-year internship program and towards earning

my credential while earning a teacher salary. If that doesn’t happen I will still be fine because I
Looking Forward 4

will complete my student teaching through a National University partner and receive my

credential sooner. I will then start searching for a job.

Year Two: I will either be in a the HTH credential program or looking for a teaching

position as an art teacher. I don’t plan to quit my current job until I can find something with

comparable benefits. If I get an offer of employment as an art teacher through the high tech high

program I will be in school one night per week for two years starting June, 17 2019. I will also
th

continue to update my technology skills by taking classes through the San Diego Community

College District’s Continuing Education Department. These classes are a great resource, very

comprehensive, and the best part is that they are free. A huge part of my continual professional

development will be to keep my technology skills updated so I can continue to present a polished

artful, tech-savvy portfolio as stated in the following quote: “Consider good Web Design

principles, including the use of color, contrast, font size and style, choice of background, and

placement of graphics and text.” (page 63, Costantino & De Lorenzo 2009).

Year Three: By year three, I hope to be well into my teaching profession. I hope to be

teaching art at either the elementary, middle, or high school level. I love that the High Tech

High philosophy is dedicated to improving public education by preparing reflective practitioners.

The program is centered around the HTH design principles of equity, personalization, authentic

work, and collaborative design. Teacher preparation is embedded within K-12 clinical sites

where participants can experience a practical context for teaching and learning while being

supported by a collegial support network.

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• Teaching for Equity: Participants learn to create equitable learning environments and

conditions that support the success of all students.

• Connecting Theory and Practice: Teaching experience serves as a text for program

coursework and course discussions.

• Modeling Teaching Strategies: Course instructors are K-12 educators who model

student-centered, constructivist pedagogical strategies.

• Student Voice: Participants learn to create classroom environments that value student

voice and experience; K-12 students serve as collaborative designers and faculty

consultants.

If all goes according to planned, I should be finished with my two-year internship and will have

learned how to do the following:

• Support Students as Readers

• Project Based Teaching

• Student Led Discussions

• Authentic Student Led Assessments and Parent Conferences

• Co-Teaching

• Equitable Work Groups

• Behavioral Supports for in Inclusive Classrooms

• Supporting Students as Writers

Year Four: Year four will be a time for me to explore my interest in Art therapy and enroll in be

accepted into and begin two-year program at the Expressive Arts Institute Professional Diploma

Program. I am interested in using art as a tool for interventions for at risk students as well as for
Looking Forward 6

special educational purposes. I look forward to learning more about teaching to multiple

intelligences and for using art therapy to teach to the whole child’s social emotional well-being.

Year Five: In year five, I plan to finish the last year of the Expressive Arts Institute

Professional Diploma Program and get my diploma. I will continue independent study and

practice of making art and updating digital skills with Lynda.com and Adobe.com. I also hope to

find leadership opportunities to advocate for the arts through San Diego Unified School

District’s VAPA department or other municipal avenues.

YEAR ONE • Finish Masters of Education/Credential Program at National University.

2019 • Continue learning the Adobe Creative Suite via Adobe.com and Lynda.com
• Apply for teaching jobs so I will be eligible for the internship program with
High Tech High (https://www.hightechhigh.org/teachercenter/ )or
• Student teach through National University after completing TPA’s via task
stream by the end of March 2019.
YEAR TWO •Begin my practice teaching art in the classroom and continue building,
2020 editing, and curating my art teaching portfolio. I will either be earning my
preliminary credential while I teach or I will already have it depending on
the course of events in 2019.
• Sign up for video and multimedia courses through San Diego Community
College Continuing Education. (http://www.sdce.edu/job-training/digital-
design-development )

YEAR THREE • Finish my two-year internship with High Tech High or Continue my
2021 teaching practice in another unaffiliated classroom.
• Begin clearing my credential.

YEAR FOUR •Get accepted into and begin two-year program at the Expressive Arts
2022 Institute Professional Diploma Program
( www.expressiveartsinstitute.org )
•Continue teaching art in the classroom and growing as an effective teacher.
YEAR FIVE • Finish the last year of the Expressive Arts Institute Professional Diploma
2023 Program (Receive my Diploma)
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• Continue independent study and practice of making art and updating digital
skills with Lynda.com and Adobe.com
• Find opportunities to advocate for the arts through San Diego Unified
School District’s VAPA department
Looking Forward 8

References

Costantino, P. M., De Lorenzo, M. N.(2009) Developing a Professional Teaching Portfolio: A

guide to success. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey : Pearson Education, Inc.