I have learned that developing a professional development plan will help me not only in the classroom but also professionally. I am new to teaching and the first semester, I just concentrated on teaching. I did not try to make connections with the students.
I spoke with my direct leader and they suggested to use the time before class (I am usually 15-20 early) to actually get to know my students. I was surprised by how much of a difference just a few minutes each class made. Getting to know my students helped me feel more comfortable and confident as an instructor, and I felt better able to understand and meet their learning needs. I plan to continue with this practice while also developing a professional development plan to guide my growth as an educator.
