Standard+7


 * Standard 7: **** Engages in professional growth. **

(1) Demonstrates habits and skills of continuous inquiry and learning. (2) Works collaboratively to improve professional practices. (3) Applies and shares research, knowledge, and skills from professional development. (4) Establishes and implements professional development plans aligned to area education agency, district, and student learning goals.
 * The staff member: **

**(1) Demonstrates habits and skills of continuous inquiry and learning.**
REFLECTION: My association with Pat Wolfe and my continued membership in her "Brainy Bunch" has resulted in some of the most powerful learning I have experienced. Each time I attend a renewal session, I have access to neuroscients themselves- along with Pat and a wonderful network of like-minded educators. These training opportunities keep me abreast of the latest information coming from the field of neuroscience. They also help me in deepening my own learning... taking the information I've learned previously to deeper levels of understanding.
 * Continued learning through Pat Wolfe's "Brainy Bunch" annual training sessions and networking
 * Graduate class completed during summer of 2010: Web 2.0 Tools for the 21st Century Classroom (Heartland AEA On-line Course- Becky Mather)
 * Attendance at The National Middle School Conference (November 2009- Indianapolis, IN; November 2010- Baltimore, MD)
 * Presented at The National Middle School Conference (See above) **//Understanding the Adolescent Brain//** (2009 presented a 90 minute breakout session; 2010 presented a 3 hour ticketed session)
 * One of three Keynote Speakers at the 2011 See How They Grow Conference (for early childhood educators and home care providers) //**A Window of Opportunity: Nurturing Healthy Brain Development in Young Children**//

The Web 2.0 class that I took on my own during the summer of 2010 was one of the best courses I have ever taken! It was an on-line course, designed and facilitated brilliantly by Becky Mather, through Heartland AEA. In the class, I was able to work at my own pace, and was able to collaborate with my classmates via the Moodle discussion forums. I ended up putting in MUCH more time with this class than had it been a face to face offering- but I did so willingly, because the content of the course was so meaningful, so relevant and so engaging. I "owned" my own learning, and felt accountable to the instructor (who I greatly admired and respected, though I had never really "met" her) and to the other members of the class. It was the perfect example of what on-line learning CAN be and SHOULD be! I have incorporated what I learned in this class, into my work, and it has greatly enhanced my effectiveness and my efficiency! I have developed new ways of "doing business".

I included references to presentations I've done at The National Middle School Conference, and the See How They Grow Conference. Even though these were occasions for me to act as the "teacher".... I always feel like the "learner", as well. The amount of research that goes into preparing for these presentations results in an expansion of my knowledge base. I learn new information, I deepen my understanding of things I had learned previously, and devising the best ways to articulate to others what I know, always helps me to "know it better". I consider each of these opportunities to present- as an opportunity for me to learn.

** (3) Applies and shares research, knowledge, and skills from professional development. **

 * ====== Application of Web 2.0 Tools learned about in Summer 2010 on-line course ======
 * Follow this link to see my 2011 Arch BBL Wikispace
 * Follow this link to see my [|News of the Brain Blog]
 * Follow this link to see my [|Shelfari Bookshelf]
 * Infusion of new research regarding the brain into all trainings, workshops, classes


 * (4) Establishes and implements professional development plans aligned to area education agency, district, and student learning goals.**