Professional Growth Plan
THE LEARNER AND LEARNING
1. Learner Development
My time spent in MUSED258 has taught me everything I know so far in the areas
of cognitive development, relating specifically to how the brain organizes and stores
new information. This information is covered in lectures Being aware of how the brain
works in this sense, I can better structure lessons and curriculum to fit the needs of my
students. I struggle with this at times because at this point in my career, I am expected
to learn this information thoroughly so that I can support myself in discussion later on.
As someone who is a forward-thinker, I find myself often wanting to skip ahead to when
I can apply this information to my future classes. I will improve on this by continuing my
studies diligently so that I can perform well on exams and continue to read research
studies to develop a better appreciation for this information.
2. Learner Differences
The classes I have taken in music education so far at Ball State have instilled a
hyper-awareness within me of any possible situation for students and how I must
constantly strive to be as careful as possible when speaking to a class of anywhere
between ten to thirty to fifty students. MUSED258 has specifically furthered my
strengths in this area by sending into the field for observations and short teachings. I
have been able to work with students and apply in-class discussions to real life scenarios
in which my language determines for a student whether or not they will trust me and
comply with the lesson and goals for our session. I feel very strong in this area and will
continue to improve my knowledge in this standard by broadening my horizons and
teaching in various school corporations of different socioeconomic statuses and
backgrounds for the students.
3. Learning Environments
In the various peer teachings that I have the opportunity to conduct so far at Ball
State, I have tried different approaches for establishing a learning environment in which
I can encourage students to make mistakes and take risks. This is highly important in the
music classroom as creating music can often be an area of discomfort for young
musicians. While this is something I have found success in during my peer teachings, it
will be different to apply this to an actual classroom. Being aware of this will definitely
help, but I will have to bring new approaches to each classroom experience I have. This
can be done through passionate praise not just from myself, but by encouraging the
students to encourage one another.
CONTENT KNOWLEDGE
4. Content Knowledge
The various assessments completed in MUSED258 have taught me some of the
greatest lessons I’ve had in content knowledge and how crucial it is to effective
education. Some examples of this include the choral part-teaching assessment (focus:
piano proficiency) or the aural skills assessment (focus: audiation and music literacy).
Too often are students held back from achieving the highest levels of success because
their teachers are not as strong as they should be in their musical abilities. These lessons
have raised my awareness for the discipline required to reach the standard level a
teacher should achieve in order to provide the best experience possible for their
students. I will continue to improve in this area by keeping basic piano and music
literacy activities in my daily practice routine. My skills in conducting have been
furthered in an introductory conducting course and will continue to grow as I take more
advanced courses.
5. Application of Content
In music education courses at Ball State, I am encouraged to use different
approaches and am praised for even making the attempt to try something new. I have
gained skills in creative approaches through the elementary general music methods
courses and have used these lessons in all of my classes. My fear for a potential
weakness will be to fall into a creative rut and lose the ability to bring new perspectives
to lessons. I will combat this by continuing to attend professional development sessions
and working ahead of schedule to give myself time to ponder my approaches.
INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICE
6. Assessment
The importance and delicacy of assessment in the music classroom is a
frequently discussed topic in the music education courses I take at Ball State. It is
important to establish a safe environment where students feel like they are free to
explore music without feeling bad about themselves. This creates a very careful
situation in which the teacher must be able to give constructive feedback that will
improve the musician’s abilities in the long run. I will continue to improve this by setting
a goal for myself to provide at least one critique in each lesson that I give with the
mindset that there is always something that can be improved in music.
7. Planning for Instruction
Careful planning for instruction is a staple in music education courses at Ball
State. This is always a separate grade or assignment for peer teachings that instills the
expectation that planning and preparation is just as important, if not more, than the
teaching itself. Planning is the commitment made by the educator that the students will
indeed receive the highest possible education that they deserve. I feel very confident in
my thorough planning and will continue to improve this by taking my time on lesson
plans and not dropping the ball on this expectation I have set for myself.
8. Instructional Strategies
The courses I have taken so far at Ball State have given me the tools to think
creatively and use different strategies to teach. The foundations for these strategies are
supported by the knowledge gained specifically in MUSED258 concerning how learning
patterns are organized and students best absorb information. Because of this, I know
that I as the educator must provide multiple means of representation in all lessons to
give all students their best chance to be successful in my class. I will continue to improve
this by trying new strategies as suggested by my mentors.
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
9. Professional Learning and Ethical Practice
My time in MUSED258 has taught me the biggest lessons in growing
professionally. The expectations set in this course for professional growth has helped
me make huge strides towards achieving the goals I have for myself as a professional.
This has been done by completing complex assignments that involve much figuring
things out independently or as I go. I will continue to improve in this area by making
connections with mentor teachers and meeting all deadlines that are set for me.
10. Leadership and Collaboration
In several of the courses in music education at Ball State I have been tasked with
collaborating with my colleagues to achieve a more creative lesson or simply to get
experience cooperating on different ideas and tasks. As I move forward in my college
career, I know that more opportunities will arise for this and I will approach them with
enthusiasm. Collaborating provides the opportunity to gain constructive criticism that
will help me improve beyond anything I could learn with my colleagues in a music
education class.
