A6. Professional Development
Teacher Candidates are required to develop and implement a professional growth plan with the guidance of their university and classroom supervisors. Teacher Candidates are required to reflect upon their lessons daily so that they are able to self-assess their weaknesses and identify their strengths. After observation by the university supervisor, the candidates will utilize their reflections and recommendations by the supervisor to re-evaluate their professional growth plan. Collaboratively they strive for ideas for improvement in order for the candidates to be successful and to accomplish their goals as set forth in that professional growth plan. In order to help each candidate achieve their professional development goals and strive for continuous improvement, the university provides various professional development seminars. A thorough student teacher orientation for undergraduate teacher candidates is conducted which includes important topics such as Professionalism, LaTAAP Training, Lesson Planning and Implementation based on the Louisiana Components of Effective Teaching. This effort is made to instill a basic understanding of the importance of educators continually seeking and attaining professional development for themselves in order to grow and attain excellence in their profession.
Alternative Certification Interns are engaged in a three-week Summer Institute Training which provides seminars on Classroom Management and Teaching Techniques. Interns are given actual field experience in the summer school classrooms of our partner schools which allows a practical learning approach. Intern Candidates are required to attend monthly professional development seminars on topics such as Legal Issues for Classroom Teachers, Creating an Electronic Portfolio, Teaching in a Culture of Poverty, Cyber Bullying, Preventing Child Abuse and Becoming an Effective Teacher. Intern Candidates are required to write reflections from each seminar which enables them to gain perspective for future classroom experiences. Interns, like Teacher Candidates are observed by University Supervisors who offer guidance and suggestions as to how to use reflections and feedback to develop professional self-growth. The university also provides mentors for each Alternative Certification Intern who closely monitor the interns and assist them in developing the skills and dispositions necessary to seek devise and ultimately reach their own personal long-term professional growth goals.
(Exhibit 1c1.1 Undergraduate Signature Assessment Description, Rubrics and Data)
(Exhibit 1b1.1 MAT Signature Assessment Description, Rubric & Data)
(Exhibit 1b2.1 M.Ed. Signature Assessment, Description, Rubric & Data)