Vermont Core Teaching Standards

Standard 9.

The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.

9.1 The teacher engages in continuous professional learning to more effectively meet the needs of each learner.

Evidence 1:

Peer Review Portfolio Course, Northern Lights Career Development, 45 hours, Duhamel/Torncello, 2015, Professional Development Certificate

Description:

This forty-five hour course is designed to guide participants through the Peer Review process. The teachers and mentors help participants develop and design a teaching portfolio to be submitted to the Vermont Department of Education.

Analysis/Reflection:

Through in-class participation, online assignments, and Go-To-Meetings, we were able to understand the process of submitting a teaching portfolio through the support given to us from the teachers and the mentor assigned to each participant. The knowledge and professionalism the teachers in this course exhibited was outstanding. Any question, or concern I had about the Peer Review process was fully answered and supported by the teachers and mentors.

This process of Peer Review, in accumulating my past work in early childhood education over the past 28 years, has been very gratifying and awe-inspiring. I have to say that, until this process, I didn't realize what I had accomplished over my career: from a high school graduate and starting a job placement in a large center two weeks after graduation to where I am today, holding a Bachelor's Degree and pursuing my birth to pre-k teaching license. All the while I worked full time, taking care of my own family, and bringing up 3 children of my own. To say the least, I am incredibly proud of what I have accomplished.

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Evidence 2:

Workshop and Training Excel sheet, 2010 - present, Continuous Workshop Training Sheet

Description:

This excel training sheet lists, by date from most recent, all the continuous, collaborative trainings and workshops I have attended since 2010.

Analysis/Reflection:

As an early childhood professional, I truly believe we never stop learning and that it is important to have a continuous learning environment, not only for the children, but myself as well. I actually love going to trainings and workshops, not just to learn and develop as an educator, but for the collaboration I get from my interactions with other educators in this field.

I truly believe that a person never stops learning, and especially in the field of early childhood education I am always learning something new daily, either through trainings, coursework, or the children themselves. My dedication to the field of early childhood is evident in the amount of trainings I take yearly. I absolutely love to participate in our three monthly network meetings to collaborate with my peers and learn from their dedication and experience.

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Evidence 3:

Involvement in the Addison County Starting Points Network, Starting Points Yearly Calendar

Description:

Since I opened my program in 2012 I have been attending the meetings of the Addison County Starting Points Network, Curriculum Network, and the Wellness Network. Over the course of the month we meet on three different Mondays for support, educational activities and guidance on support, curriculum, and wellness.

Analysis/Reflection:

The first Monday of the month is our Wellness Network. In this group meeting we learn about self wellness and care for ourselves and others. We either have a professional in a field of wellness, such as yoga or health and nutrition, teach us how to care for our minds and bodies, or we have a discussion on a certain wellness topic, such as exploring the brain, body, and behavior connections.

The second Monday of the month focuses on support and networking with other providers in our area. As child care providers we mainly work alone and meeting to discuss and brainstorm ideas on how to handle children's behavior, or program, or ways to manage our day has been very beneficial. During these meetings we may also have individuals such as personnel from Building Bright Futures or Let's Grow Kids to discuss their programs , or have a state licensure come to lead a discussion about the state regulations.

The last Monday of the month is our Curriculum Network. In this group meeting we discuss curriculum ideas and activities focused on The Vermont Early Learning Standards. Each month we focus on one Domain area at a time. We learn and discuss what is expected of children at different ages and how the teacher and the environment can help support this learning through play.

As I engage in my local networking meeting/trainings, I am continually learning and collaborating with my colleagues in the field of early education. My professionalism in this area is evident with the amount of time and energy I put forth for these meetings and trainings.

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