Silvia Plata Goal setting for 2013/ 2014

What do I do well? What could I focus on this year? (only

one item in each section)
Planning and
preparation
Consider IB expectations and managebac
and departmental collaboration on action
plans and scope and sequences
I reorganized the scope and sequence of
7
th
and 8
th
grade last year. I think I am
getting much better in Managebac and
one of my goals is to have all my unit
plans in by the end of this semester. (I
hope)
Jessica is aligning all the math curriculums
since K to 5
th
grade so I will try to help her
with the curriculums of 5
th
grade and 6
th

grade. Weve also met to talk about
issues that students have in basic math
skills so teachers can focus since 5
th
grade.
Classroom
environment:
Consider collaboration and reflective
practice. Consider academic risk taking-
questioning and answering opportunities
Consider transitions

Classroom environment in math feels
relaxing. I think that students think
about math as a tough subject. A subject
that they need to worry about. I try to
make the class fun and engaging. Even
though is a subject where you need to
practice, I sense that the classroom
environment feels relaxing and I think
my students are not afraid to enter
math class.
I should focus this year in my own
reflection. Observe the classes that were
really engaging and the ones that did not
work well. Most of my units dont have
my own personal reflection so I will focus
on that this year.
Instruction: Consider differentiation and use of the
90 min block
Are you a teacher , facilitator or both?
What would you say is your teaching
style
Consider assessment

I think my style is facilitator. I like
students to be active. I will engage
them with an activity but then they will
lead the activity so they can grasp the
learning. If students relate what they
are learning to their real life they will
understand why they need to learn it.
Even though I give test every end of the
chapter, I also assess investigations
which give the students the opportunity
to understand the WHY? of
mathematics.
I have a very large 7
th
grade class. It is
difficult to use differentiation having many
students. I have students that really need
challenging problems. They are advanced
students that sometimes I feel they get
bored in class. But on the other hand I
have students that need a lot of practice
in basic skills problems. I will try to make
my best in differentiate so I can satisfied
all the students needs.
Professional What do you do for students outside of I have a math study hall Tuesdays and I will focus on the 6
th
graders basic skills. I
responsibilities: your classroom? Consider after school
activities , field trips, passing on the
passion of your subject, your own
further studies in the field, meeting with
faculty and meeting in the department.
Are you an individual or a team player?
Also consider your own professional
development
Thursdays. I think students feel
comfortable coming after school and ask
me questions about math. Sometimes
they are afraid to ask during class, or
they work at their own pace not having
enough time to finish their work, etc.
They use this time to finish their work or
to ask questions about what they did
not get during class. Also students
sometimes just come and practice more.
In the personal matter, Jessica
recommended me a workshop during
the summer to learn what she is doing
in the elementary math classes. She
uses these skills to teach teachers and
students to facilitate math learning. I
am considering doing this workshop
during the summer
have several students in the math study
hall that are practicing basic skills with me.
I will try to give these students the skills to
succeed in 6
th
grade and to have the
confidence of moving on to 7
th
grade.
They are in a good time to catch up and
succeed.
Other? International Runners (the running club) I love to run even though I am really
slow. So me and my husband started
motivating some teachers to run after
school. I think that gathering together
to exercise is a great way to keep
teachers happy. Promoting health
activities is something that we should do
often.
We will focus on trying to motivate more
people. It will be great to have an AISM
running club.