Reflection Related to My Personal Development Goals
Throughout my teacher education program, I have been intentional about setting personal development goals that reflect both my growth areas and long-term aspirations. One of my key goals is to deepen my understanding of Indigenous perspectives and how to incorporate them meaningfully into my math teaching. After speaking with Indigenous educators, I began reading To Kill a Mockingbird as a starting point for understanding justice and marginalized voices. This journey also connects to my broader interest in comparing Eastern and Western education systems, sparked by my prior experience teaching in China and my graduate studies in Canada. I’ve realized that professional growth is not just about acquiring new skills, but about shifting mindsets—moving from a results-driven approach to a more holistic, student-centered philosophy. Going forward, I will continue to seek opportunities for professional learning through books, workshops, mentorship, and self-reflection. These actions will help me become a more inclusive, responsive, and reflective educator.
Reflection Related to Ideas about How I Will Contribute to the Profession in the Future
Looking ahead, I hope to contribute to the teaching profession by sharing practical classroom strategies that support student engagement, especially in math education. Through my own research on group work and student participation, I’ve seen how different teaching approaches can impact learning outcomes. I plan to continue exploring innovative practices and contribute by presenting at professional conferences, joining teacher learning communities, and mentoring new teachers once I gain more experience. I also believe it’s important to promote inclusive teaching that reflects diverse student backgrounds, including Indigenous perspectives. By continuing to reflect, learn, and collaborate with colleagues, I aim to be not only a teacher in the classroom, but also a lifelong contributor to the growth and improvement of the teaching profession.
First Year PD Plan
PD Activity Entry 1
Activity Title:
Reading To Kill a Mockingbird to Deepen Understanding of Marginalization and Social Justice
Activity Description:
In this professional development activity, I will read the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This literary work explores themes of racism, justice, and empathy through the lens of a child in the American South. Although the novel is situated in a different cultural and historical context, its themes resonate with broader conversations around Indigenous experiences, discrimination, and the importance of equity in education. As I read, I will take notes on key passages, reflect on parallels to current social issues, and consider how the novel can support meaningful classroom discussions on systemic inequality and social responsibility.
Why It Matters:
I believe that as a teacher in Canada, I have the responsibility to foster an inclusive classroom that recognizes and values Indigenous voices and experiences. Reading this novel helps me reflect on how I approach discussions of marginalization, allyship, and reconciliation in my classroom. It also encourages me to think about how literature can be used as a bridge to deeper understanding and critical conversations with students.
PD Activity Entry 2
Activity Title:
Learning to Swim: Promoting Teacher Well-being and Student Safety
Activity Description:
I plan enrolling in beginner swimming lessons at my local community center with the goal of becoming a confident swimmer by the end of the year. The lessons will include water safety, basic strokes, breathing techniques, and emergency procedures. This activity supports both personal wellness and professional preparedness, particularly in school environments where field trips or physical education may involve aquatic activities. Developing swimming skills also allows for broader participation in school-based events and outdoor learning experiences.
Why It Matters:
I believe that as a teacher, maintaining my physical and mental health is essential to sustaining my energy, focus, and resilience in the classroom. Learning to swim is not only a form of self-care and exercise, but also a way to overcome personal fear and model lifelong learning for my students. Additionally, being comfortable in the water equips me to supervise students during outdoor learning or field trips, especially in a province like BC where lakes, rivers, and pools are often part of school activities. This step enhances both my confidence and my sense of responsibility as a caring adult in and out of the classroom.
PD Activity Entry 3
Activity Title:
Attending an Indigenous Cultural Workshop to Deepen Land-Based and Relational Pedagogies
Activity Description:
I will attend an Indigenous cultural workshop hosted by a local First Nations community, educational institution, or reconciliation-focused organization. The workshop may include traditional teachings, land-based learning, oral storytelling, language revitalization efforts, and protocols for respectful engagement. As part of the activity, I will actively participate in sessions, reflect on Indigenous worldviews, and explore how these perspectives can be meaningfully integrated into my own teaching practice—particularly in relation to the First Peoples Principles of Learning (FPPL).
Why It Matters:
As a new teacher in BC, I recognize that building cultural humility and understanding Indigenous perspectives is not optional—it’s foundational. Participating in an Indigenous cultural workshop allows me to move beyond textbook knowledge and engage directly with community voices and teachings. This experience supports my ongoing commitment to reconciliation, helps me reflect on my own positionality, and guides me in creating respectful, inclusive, and culturally sustaining learning environments.
PD Activity Entry 4
Activity Title:
Travelling to Banff: Reflecting on Place-Based Education
Activity Description:
This activity involves a personal trip to Banff National Park. During the trip, I will engage in reflective journaling and explore how the natural environment and Indigenous histories of the area can inform place-based teaching. I will also visit cultural or interpretive sites to learn more about local Indigenous perspectives.
Why It Matters:
Spending time in nature helps me reconnect with land-based learning and reflect on how to bring that into my classroom. It also supports my well-being and reminds me that learning doesn’t just happen indoors. This experience strengthens my understanding of the land as a teacher and deepens my respect for Indigenous ways of knowing.
PD Activity Entry 5
Activity Title:
Joining a Professional Learning Community (PLC) for Math Teachers
Activity Description:
This activity involves joining a professional learning community focused on math education. I will meet regularly with other math teachers—either in person or online—to share strategies, discuss student challenges, co-develop lesson plans, and reflect on teaching practices.
Why It Matters:
Collaborating with fellow math teachers helps me grow faster as a new educator. I can learn new approaches, get support when facing challenges, and reflect on my practice in a supportive space. It also reminds me that teaching is a shared journey, not a solitary one.
PD Activity Entry 6
Activity Title:
Taking Statistics Courses to Strengthen Data Literacy
Activity Description:
This activity involves enrolling in one or more introductory or intermediate-level statistics courses, either online or through a university. The focus will be on improving my ability to interpret, analyze, and present data—skills that are valuable both in teaching mathematics and using student assessment data effectively.
Why It Matters:
A strong foundation in statistics helps me teach math more effectively and make better data-informed decisions in the classroom. It also equips me to help students understand real-world applications of math and prepares me for future roles in education that involve research or assessment design.
PD Activity Entry 7
Activity Title:
Watch educational documentaries and write reflections
Activity Description
I will watch some educational documentaries such as Most Likely to Succeed, The Kids We Lose, or Indian Horse. After watching, I will write a short reflection focusing on what I got about education, student needs, or systemic challenges, and how these details may influence my own teaching.
Why It Matters:
I feel that documentaries can always offer the real past of those issues. These can deepen my understanding on educational issues. It can also help me reflect on my identity as a teacher, and it can also help me keep my mind open in my classroom.
PD Activity Entry 8
Activity Title:
Become an expert on Microsoft Software (Word, Excel, PPT, etc)
Activity Description:
I will complete self-paced tutorials or online courses to improve my skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. I will focus on functions that support teaching—such as creating gradebooks in Excel, designing lesson presentations in PowerPoint, and formatting professional documents in Word.
Why It Matters:
Strong Microsoft Office skills help me work more efficiently and professionally. I can design better lessons, track student data more effectively, and communicate clearly with parents and colleagues.
PD Activity Entry 9
Activity Title:
Attending a Professional Teachers’ Conference
Activity Description:
I will attend an education conference such as the BCTF New Teachers’ Conference or another subject-specific event. At the conference, I will participate in workshops, listen to keynote speakers, and engage in discussions with fellow educators on current issues, strategies, and innovations in teaching.
Why It Matters:
Conferences give me access to new ideas, resources, and connections that I might not find in my daily school environment. As a new teacher, it’s important for me to stay inspired, learn from others’ experiences, and feel part of a larger professional community.
PD Activity Entry 10
Activity Title:
Taking Master’s-Level STEM Courses in Physics and Biology
Activity Description:
I willpower be enrolling in graduate-level courses in areas such as physics or biology to strengthen my interdisciplinary STEM knowledge. These courses may be taken online or through a local university and will help expand my content knowledge beyond mathematics.
Why It Matters:
As a math teacher, I feel that having a broader understanding of other STEM areas helps me make stronger cross-curricular connections. It also prepares me to better support students interested in science and technology and may open up future teaching opportunities in multiple subjects.