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using different learning strategies, teaching guided reading well using the before/during/after
format, creating center work for other students, improving ways to grade students’ work,
assigning students classroom jobs, using class dojo for classroom management, using music
and singing to build fluency, and so on.
Stage 3 – Professional Teacher
1. Open your classroom to monthly observations of your teaching by other teachers. Talk with
them after their observations to answer their questions and see what they learned from you.
Have them pick one idea they would like to try in their classroom. Meet with them to see how
implementation is going.
2. Do an action-research project in your classroom. What do you want to improve? Do some
research on the topic, try some ideas, and write an article to share about your learning. Did
the intervention improve student learning? Share your learning at a monthly faculty meeting.
This could lead to an idea for a workshop that you could lead.
3. Check with your superintendent, principal, and/or PD coordinator and volunteer to organize
and lead the new-teacher orientation training for the district or your building.
4. Attend one regional or national conference or workshop. Implement at least two ideas into
your classroom. Share what you learned at a faculty meeting. This could lead to an idea for a
workshop that you could lead.
5. Present your action research at a local or regional conference.
6. Pursue another college degree, working on a master’s or doctorate in an area of interest.
7. Participate in peer-coaching monthly activities using reflective journaling, practical argument,
or action research to look systematically at a peer’s teaching. Serve as the coach or mentor.
8. Serve as department or grade-level chair.
9. Volunteer to help the PD coordinator with training/mentoring throughout the school year or
become a mentor for teachers in Stage 1 and 2 in your building, sharing teaching ideas and
providing support.
10. Volunteer to organize/start a parent-volunteer program within your building. Train parents on
expectations, stressing what they see in the classroom should not be talked about anywhere
but in these meetings. That is, what they see is confidential. Have monthly meetings for
volunteers to learn something new, share concerns, and so on.
Stage 4 – Distinguished Teacher
1. Serve on building and/or district committees where needed.
2. Research and write a grant for your school.
3. Volunteer to be a mentor for a preservice teacher during his or her student teaching or for any
teacher who needs or asks for help.
4. Teach a methods course at a nearby university or junior college.
5. Conduct and write classroom research for journal publication.
6. Attend and/or present at a national conference. Implement what you learned and share your
learning/findings at a faculty meeting.
7. Film your teaching and upload it to YouTube. Organize a watch meeting and discuss different
instructional methods and learning strategies that were used.
8. Read educational journal(s) monthly and report findings or give a review at a monthly
faculty meeting. Educational journals could include Journal of Teacher Education, Journal
of Science Education, Journal of Mathematics Education, or Journal of Literacy Research.
9. Volunteer with the PD coordinator or become a PD building coordinator to organize and
provide training for teachers within the building and/or district.
10. Help other teachers to become leaders. Design and organize a book club, using the book
Taking the Lead: New Roles for Teachers and School-Based Coaches by Joellen Killion and
Cindy Harrison (2006, NSDC).

Changing Perspectives on Teaching and Learning 35