Growth Mindset: Beginning Professional Development

What is the most important thing a teacher needs? A growth mindset! A growth mindset allows teachers to continuously learn and become a more efficient educator for their students. 

This past weekend at the Penn State TLT Symposium, I had the opportunity to participate in my first professional development event. It was a fantastic experience to learn about how Penn State is utilizing and plans to utilize technology in the classroom. 

The most exciting thing from the symposium was the keynote speaker Dan Heath. He had talked about how we as educators make ideas stick in our students minds. His speech focused around his book "Made to Stick," that he co-wrote with his brother. I had received this book when I was a Pennsylvania FFA State Officer, but I did not read it. I will be reading it now so I can learn how to make my lessons and course materials stick in my students minds.

The biggest take away from his speech was using concreteness is the language of differentiation. We must speak and present our course using concrete language rather than just saying the equivalent of "Hey..." to our students.

Interest Approach: Which Direction Will You Take?

Each step we take leads us closer to our future! Which direction will I take to get the best outcome for my future? Over the past four years, I have been thinking about where I would like to student teach. When I served as a Pennsylvania State FFA Officer, I had visited many Agricultural Education programs across the state. Throughout the year I served, I became familiar with what environment I enjoyed facilitating in as well as the connection I had with the teachers at each school. Since I have been attending Penn State I have observed several different Agricultural Education programs in Pennsylvania. My history of visiting, facilitating, and observing different programs across the state has led me to a list of criteria for my ideal cooperating center to student teach. My criteria for a cooperating center are as follows:

• Animal Science courses offered - I am not fluent in Animal Science, and teaching it will allow my knowledge bank to grow as well as get me out of my comfort zone. These courses will help me grow not only in knowledge but also exercising my brain to learn new things rapidly so I can effectively educate my students.
• Agricultural Mechanics - I am more fluent in Ag Mechanics and having the opportunity to teach it will strengthen my knowledge. These courses will also allow me to get back in my comfort zone for part of my experience so I do not get discouraged and overwhelmed throughout my semester student teaching.
• Great Mentors - Teachers that have had decades of experience as well as the dispositions to give the best feedback and tips for me. These individuals will give me the support and constructive criticism I need in order to flourish as a teacher. 
• Student environment - Students that crave Agriculture Education courses and dedicated to the FFA.

Throughout this journey I hope to find the best cooperating center for me so that I can expand my knowledge! I am excited to dive into the opportunities that are ahead of me!