Teachers need to be exemplary learners. No profession should be as committed to professional development and continuous education as teaching. Teachers know first hand the importance of learning and growth, so they should seek to stay current on the newest research and teaching techniques.
Teachers also need to attain minimum standards for practice — standards administered through professional testing. I have taken and passed the Praxis II test in both High School and Middle School English. Here are my scores:
Teachers should learn from other teachers, from their mentors, from their students, and from their national board. The National Council of Teachers of English: NCTE says that it promotes “personal connection, collaboration, and shared vision”, and the site offers a multitude of resources, suggestions, and research. I have joined the NCTE and will join Kappa Delta Pi to stay connected with the larger community of educational practitioners.
Teachers need to stay current on research in teaching, in professionalism, in ethical practice, and in their field. Teachers who continually renew their interest in the subject make better teachers and achieve better results for their students.
Through my status as an alumnus of the Curry School at UVa, I have access to educational research, and I continually read the latest research to stay current in my field.
