Professional Growth Plan

The process of developing a professional growth plan required the input of several coworkers. First, I contacted the principal of Galileo Magnet High School to assist and follow the proper protocol in evaluating a teacher. As we discussed the issue, it was decided that Mr. Steven Funderburk, a full-time Business Information/Technology teacher would be the ideal teacher to support in developing a professional growth plan. Mr. Funderburk began employment with Danville Public Schools in November 2017 and prior to coming to Danville, he was employed for two years with Person County School System in North Carolina. Mr. Funderburk indicated that he resigned from teaching in North Carolina because he wanted more of a challenge and needed to find

Funderburk and the objectives for his students. As we discussed the expected outcomes, Mr. Funderburk realized that his personal objectives correlated with his desired professional growth. He wanted to include more resources and engaging materials in the class. The current material for the class is provided through the Microsoft Imagine Academy and the GMetrix test preparation materials. Access, cost and resources for all the materials in the course are paid for by the Virginia Department of Education. Past data indicates that students have been successful in achieving industry certifications to meet the graduation requirement. However, Mr. Funderburk wants to provide students with more coursework on hardware and software. The state competencies outline the requirements for the class and he feels that too much emphasis is on the industry certification. As he develops the professional growth plan he wants to include other components detailed in the state

Mr. Funderburk reassured me that the end result was providing students with more than just a computer to complete assigned tasks and complete one test. He wants students to know and understand more of the competencies so that they have a better understanding of how the software and hardware work together thereby providing students with a better foundation of computers and computer applications.

The first three steps in the plan are all part of the Microsoft Educators Community. The resources and professional development that will be available to him will be immeasurable. In addition to the Microsoft Community, he will also have access to the Virginia Microsoft IT Academy, which is a collaboration of Virginia teachers providing information and lesson plans.

As a first year Virginia teacher that started three months after the school year began, I want to provide all the support needed to ensure Mr. Funderburk does not become discouraged or overwhelmed with the course and job requirements. As he works through the Professional Development Plan, I will work with him