Standard+V


 * [[image:classhead1-4c.gif width="191" height="139"]]Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership **

Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources. Teachers:
 * participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning
 * exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others
 * evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning
 * contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community

**1. How Do I Promote Technology and Increase My Own Professional Growth and Leadership?** I do not feel as if I am a technology "leader" within my district, as in I do not provide inservices for other teachers nor am I usually chosen to "pilot" programs. This does not mean however that I would be unwilling to do such things, just simply that I have not been asked. I do feel that I am a team player and am willing to help any colleague who needs assistance. Stating that, my door is always open and anyone who wants to learn more about or observe technology in use is welcome in my room, anytime. I will share anything that I have without hesitation and can do so through our "Shared Folders" in the districts. I feel by creating projects/resources and sharing them with teachers and parents, I increase everyone's understanding of what is available, real, and tangible. Many times I do not think that people shy away from technology, it's just that they do not know what is "there". I do make it a point to update, organize, and incorporate bookmarks/sites into my classroom at least three times a school year. These resources/ideas are shared with my grade level colleagues through our shared lesson plans. lesson plans and ideas for "next year" ||= - An educator's wikispace - Log-ins for my colleagues - Colleague cooperation || their "tech abilities" ||= - Colleague cooperation - Approval of my administrator for an observation day ||
 * = **1a. Areas for Improvement** ||= **2. Resources Needed** ||
 * = Collaborative Wiki project to house
 * = Observe two other teachers known for


 * Summary Statement **

I feel that as a team player, I am very "open" to sharing resources and trying new ideas, especially with technology and this is a good trait to have as an educator. I believe that I need to step out and become more of a leader, because I do have a decent technological understanding. I believe that I need to branch out more among my colleagues so that they see what I have to offer and begin to regard me as knowledgeable. Sometimes, the best way to do that is to put yourself into the classroom of others who are deemed as a leader. So part of my growth plan is to take observation time and view how other teachers are utilizing technology in their classroom. I get complimented often on my organizational skills and if I focus on using technology to organize others, I believe that I could quickly step out as a leader. On that note, the collaborative wiki would be one way to organize ideas of both the grade level team and as a building community. I think often in education we focus so much on "oh, we'll do that next year", that we forget what we have in front of us now... or on the flipside, we say, "That's a great idea!" and then next year comes and nothing happens. By starting a wiki, we could log our ideas and any progress we make toward the end goal.