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Alaina Engdahl

EDUC 4360

Dr. Hollier

20 November 2020

Professional Development Plan

In a pre-COVID world, I would be able to confidently state my plans for the summer and

first year after my student teaching internship. In this ideal world I would be spending this

summer purchasing books for my classroom library and browsing Instagram for ideas on how I

want to decorate. Next fall I would be welcoming in my first class of students and playing first-

day-of-school games. However, this is not a pre-COVID world and the reality is that I don’t even

know what the next week will look like.

In an era of virtual schools, COVID safety measures, district leveling, and so much being

expected of teachers who aren’t getting much help or support, I don’t feel a huge sense of

security in my immediate career path. Regardless of this uncertainty, I have decided to spend the

spring semester after I graduate working as a substitute teacher in AISD. I don’t feel like I have

the preparation or mental capacity to begin a permanent position as a teacher in the middle of a

school year during a global pandemic. I want to use this next semester as a substitute as an

opportunity to network with schools, be around students, and help to give teachers a break when

they need it.

This summer I do hope to begin applying for permanent teaching jobs and gathering

school supplies for my classroom. However, with COVID cases on the rise, especially in Texas,

I have realized that may not happen immediately. If it does, I will likely face more challenges

than the typical first year teacher does in a normal school year. I feel like my time student
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teaching during the COVID 19 pandemic has not only prepared me for unexpected situations and

heightened my creativity, but it has given me the confidence to take on any challenge.

As far as professional development goes in my first year of teaching, I am currently

planning on focusing my energy in 2 areas: technology integration and understanding

curriculum. I have always been passionate about and interested in technology integration in early

childhood learning, and with so many schools using hybrid models this is the perfect time for me

to gain knowledge on helpful educational tools and programs. I also want to read, understand,

and become comfortable using different types of curriculum. There are many different types and

approaches for different subjects, and I would like to become as well versed as possible in order

to make sure I am making the best choices for my students. As far as personal study goes I would

like to do more independent research on things like small reading group strategies, classroom

management strategies, and how to ensure I am creating an inclusive classroom environment for

all of my students.

I have never had an interest in transitioning into administration positions in my career and

do not see myself ever going down that path. I think that many people see teaching as something

you do to build your experience until you eventually go on to be a principal, or see eventually

writing curriculum or sitting on the school board as their final goal. I see myself being a teacher

for most of my career, if not all of my career. I have considered exploring other teaching avenues

such as branching into SBS and working with students who face behavioral challenges or

children special education students who are working on things like building social skills and

relationships with their peers. For my 3-5 year goal I see myself teaching in Austin ISD, ideally

in a school I enjoy, and working with a 1st grade class. Teaching is such a uniquely challenging
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profession that I will likely still be finding myself as a teacher and will not yet be ready to

transition into another area of education in this time frame.