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.
This standard focuses on the importance of teachers being life-long learners themselves and continually reflecting on their teaching, finding ways to improve their teaching and reflecting on what changes are made and how to continue to grow to best address the needs of their students.
The evidence below exhibits how I have been able to learn from other teachers and professionals in the field to become a more effective teacher and how I have been able to adapt this information to my my own experiences and classrooms.
 I found these cuties during one of our visits to different schools in Kyoto and Miyagi, Japan for a Summer class with UH! I will definitely be trying to make recycled creatures with my students (hopefully soon!) |
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 I saw this Calander Math board in another teacher's classroom and have been using it to inspire my own Calendar Math time in my own classroom. |
 This phrase has become one of the core beliefs in my teaching. This slide was presented during the Waipahu Complex PD Day by the speaker Tremain Nelson. |
 This is another slide that came up during the Waipahu Complex PD Day, showing how these four aspects of teaching can come together and create successful students |
 This poster was created during a class for Substitute Certification, led by the vice-principal at Waipahu High School. |
 This is another example of the collaborative work done with my fellow Cohort members for our Elementary math methods course. |
Reflection
One of the most important aspects of teaching is that of professional learning and development. The idea of a teacher as a life long learner is not just a pretty goal that floats around but is never achieved. It is a necessity for all teachers to become life long learners in order to be proficient in their field and within their own classroom. Teachers need to be able to keep up to date with new research and strategies being developed in their field and in the education environment in general. Teachers also need to evaluate their own practice and self-reflect on their own teaching, being able to take a step back and look objectively at their own teaching. Not only must they observe their own teaching, but they must reflect and make decisions on what to continue doing and what to change and improve.
Teachers must not only reflect on their own teaching, but they must also be open to accepting feedback from others, and reflecting on what an objective third party sees when they look at your classroom. Of course the ultimate goal of any reflection and profesional development is to create a more positive and engaging learning environments for our students.
In my own teaching, I am constantly open to observations and feedback on my teaching from others, and have actively sought feedback from my fellow kindergarten teachers during my OJT experience. I also try to participate in PDs as often as possible, when they are open to pre-service teachers and not too expensive. I also have been able to travel to Kyoto and Miyagi, Japan and visit many different schools in these prefectures. I was able to discuss the similarities and differences in teaching styles and have grown exponentially as a teacher in my own practice.