2018 PSIII Student Intern
Teaching Professional Growth Plan
Name: Kaitlyn Zurrin Practicum Dates: September 4, 2018 – December 21, 2018
School: Kootenay Orchards Elementary
Teacher Mentor: Carolyn Cross
School Administrator: David Standing
Faculty Mentor: Lucy Johnson
Goal #1: Working on classroom management practices that create an
environment where my expectations are clear and consistent.
KSA 7: Students’ needs for physical, social, cultural and psychological security. They know how to
engage students in creating effective classroom routines. They know how and when to apply a variety of
management strategies that are in keeping with the situation, and that provide for minimal disruptions
to students’ learning;
Strategies:
o Implementing routines and expectations from the beginning. Kindergarten students
have just begun coming to school. They have no experience being at school. Now is the
time to be consistent and build those expectation and routines.
o Continue to hold expectations, and don’t be afraid to use your teacher voice. (this is
hard for me)
o As my teacher mentor suggested, create a small activity that can keep the majority of
students engaged and busy while you pull aside students to discuss what they need to
be doing or change in their behavior.
How will I know if I have met my goal?
o I will know if I have met my goal if students are aware of what I expect, and what I want
my classroom to look like.
o I will know if I haven’t met my goal if I am constantly needing to remind students of the
routines and expectations. If I have met my goal, this will lead to less work in the future,
as students know where they are supposed to be, what they are supposed to be doing,
and how they are supposed to be behaving.
Timeline:
o Setting off clear expectations from the beginning is something I hope to accomplish in
the first couple of weeks.
o However, I am aware that my classroom management strategies and skills will continue
to grow and expand over the course of this four-month practicum.
Goal #2: Creating a learning environment and planning meaningful learning
activities that are appropriate for kindergarten aged students.
KSA 1: Contextual variables affect teaching and learning. They know how to analyze many variables at
one time, and how to respond by making reasoned decisions about their teaching practice and students’
learning.
Strategies:
o Using age appropriate language that kindergarten students will understand.
o Creating visuals and modeling instructions, as well as regularly showing and
using examples.
How will I know that I’ve met my goal?
o Students will be engaged.
o Transitions will be smooth and instructions will be followed and understood.
Timeline:
o I believe this goal will be a gradual learning process. I hope that I can meet this
goal by the end of my 4-month internship at Kootenay Orchards. This goal will be
something that I will reflect and work on throughout the practicum.
Goal #3: Improving my transitions between lessons and learning activities.
KSA 7: Students’ needs for physical, social, cultural and psychological security. They know how to
engage students in creating effective classroom routines. They know how and when to apply a variety of
management strategies that are in keeping with the situation, and that provide for minimal disruptions
to students’ learning;
Strategies:
o Give students appropriate amounts of time to transition in-between activities.
This includes giving warnings ahead of time before switching.
o Give clear instructions and check for understanding before starting the activity.
o Setting clear expectations of what it means to clean up, and what and where
students should be.
o Include in your lesson plans what you expect students and teachers to be doing
during each transition.
o Provide positive attention or feedback to children following smooth transitions
How will I know that I’ve met my goal?
o Transitions will be smooth and students will move from one activity to another
with minimal issues/disturbances.
Timeline
o I hope to complete this goal within the first two months of my internship.
However, I realize this goal is something that I will need to work on and improve
over the next four months.
Goal #4 Being involved in the School community.
KSA 14: The importance of contributing, independently and collegially, to the quality of their school.
They know the strategies whereby they can, independently and collegially, enhance and maintain the
quality of their schools to the benefit of students, parents, community and colleagues;
Strategies:
o Introduce yourself and get to know the staff early on in the internship.
o Volunteer for activities, special days, sporting activities, Christmas concert etc.
How will I know that I’ve met my goal?
o I will get to know the staff and administration.
o I will be involved in activities around the school.
Timeline?
o I hope to get to know and be involved in the school community from the
beginning of my internship. My timeline for this goal is within the first month.
