Passionate educator. Tech Whiz. Lifelong Learner.
Then and Now: Goal Reflection
When looking back at the goals I submitted in the application for my Master of Arts in Education (MAED), I realized how narrow-minded my thinking was. My goals sounded very broad. They were goals that would obviously be achieved while completing my master's degree. They were goals that should be achieved since being an educator is my profession and are common goals all educators want for their students.
​
1. To implement new instructional strategies learned in the courses in the master's program in order to promote learning for all students.
2. To increase student learning by delivering instruction that best fits for different types of learners in the classroom.
3. To further my education by obtaining as much knowledge as I possibly can.
​
The goals were focused on myself as a learner and the students in my classroom. But now, as I wrap up my first master's degree and begin my second, I would say that my two professional goals are similar but with a narrowed focus. Since they are general and can be achieved each school year, I do not want these to change but because my master's concentration is in literacy instruction, I felt I should revise so they fit accordingly. Throughout my first master's, I have gathered a variety of techniques to ensure my instruction best fits all my students. I have learned ways to present instruction to my students that is engaging and unique. I have many resources (books, online resources, individuals, etc.) to go to in order to make sure my students are successful in the classroom.
​
My personal goal will also stay the same, as I am continuing my education by also completing a Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET). I have always thought of myself as a lifelong learner; someone who will never stop learning and gain knowledge for my personal use in the classroom. I am keeping up with the latest professional development by receiving webinar information from Kappa Delta Pi and receiving emails from other educational platforms that keep me up to date on the topics of education. As a lifelong learner, I do not see this goal as changing.
​
With my professional goals, I would tweak them in a way that is focused on my concentration: literacy instruction. My professional goals are general and talk about instruction and instructional strategies, but I would focus the goals on literacy. These goals are specific to my first master's concentration and since my bachelor's degree in Elementary Education was focused on Language Arts, this is my stronger area. Many of my master's courses were focused on literacy instruction so I would revise my professional goals as:
​
1. To implement new literacy instructional strategies to promote positive literacy experiences and learning for all students.
2. To increase student learning by delivering literacy instruction that best fits for different types of learners in the classroom.
​
As I wrap up my master's degree, I know that my goals will change and I will add new goals in order to further my learning as a student and an educator.