Personal Learning Network, Bonn

**SELF-DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDG)**

**Learn teaching strategies that impart 21st century skills.** I want to be an effective facilitator-coach-co-navigator who knows how to motivate students to be the captains of their own ships.

**Learn how to write curriculum for the 21st century.** Based on my observations as a classroom aide, I don’t believe there is enough out there in the way of comprehensive curriculum that addresses 21st century learning. Right now, teachers are introducing 21st century learning concepts project-by-project.

**Develop strategies for self-care.** As much as possible, I want to avoid frustration and burnout by working in collaboration with fellow teachers rather than in isolation; seeking advice and assistance from my PLN when faced with a particularly difficult challenge; making my classes more student-centered rather than teacher-centered, allowing me to carry less of the burden; making my classes fun for my students and myself; and intentionally establishing work-life balance.

**Develop a dynamic teachers network.** By participating in existing social platforms I will, over time, identify fellow educators whom I respect and trust, and for whom I feel a particular affinity. This would be my cherry-picked go-to group when I need advice, ideas or fellowship.

**Become a "master" in one of my three subject areas.** I am pursuing endorsements in three areas to improve my employment prospects. But eventually I would like to get a Masters degree in one of my subject areas. I don't want to be a teacher who knows a little bit about a lot of things, but doesn't know a lot about one thing. With some teaching time under my belt and through time spent in fellowship with my peers on my PLN, I will be able to narrow down my options and pursue a Master's degree in the area that will serve my future employment goals and keep my passion for learning alive.

**TIMELINE**

This is my timeline for developing my PLN and meeting my SDGs. I have started to do some research into blogs and orgs I want to follow and/or join, thus the links. But this will be an ongoing, fluid process.

**Short term targets (accomplish within 1 month)**

Create a basic personal start page.

* Link to an RSS reader and my social media pages

Research & subscribe to at least 5 blogs through the RSS reader.

Research & follow 5-10 organizations or education leaders on Facebook or Twitter.

Blogs and orgs should represent the following areas of interest:

* Teaching theatre http://www.thedramateacher.com/about/
* Teaching special education http://www.teachingblogaddict.com/2011/08/special-education-blogs.html
* Teaching French http://frenchteachernet.blogspot.com/+ https://gianfrancoconti.wordpress.com/
* Coaching dance teams/teaching dance
* Teaching in general / High school pedagogy http://www.teachingblogaddict.com/
* 21st century learning http://www.instituteofplay.org/

**Intermediate targets (within 4 months)**

Add more resources to the personal start page like links to links to YouTube, Diigo, Evernote

Bookmark at least 10 frequently visited resource pages such as:

* OSLIS (Oregon Schools Library System) http://secondary.educator.oslis.org/
* 21st Century Schools http://www.21stcenturyschools.com/
* Playshakespeare.com https://www.playshakespeare.com/
* Kahoot (quiz games) https://create.kahoot.it/#login?next=

 Start a private Facebook group page and invite people to join whom I’ve met through work, Teach-Now, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

**Long term targets (within 8 months)**

Commit one hour each week to reading my RSS feed.

Commit to writing a blog post at least once a month to chronicle my new teaching journey.

**Lifetime targets (12 months and beyond)**

Join education associations in my areas of interest (these cost $ so can’t join right away) such as:

* Educational Theatre Association https://www.schooltheatre.org/home
* American Alliance for Educators of Theatre http://www.aate.com/

Update my social media profiles and online resumes/CVs once a year.

Narrow down my areas of interest and pursue a Master's degree.