Competency 5: Demonstrate the disposition for life-long learning and continuous professional development

Artifact: Reflection and Analysis of Participation in Professional Conference

For the competency “Demonstrate the disposition for life-long learning and continuous professional development,” I selected my reflection and analysis of attending the 2023 INTESOL conference in Indianapolis. This was the first professional conference I had ever attended, and I entered without knowing what to expect. While I had participated in many professional development sessions within my school corporation, the conference offered a completely different experience. I have always loved learning and strive to take something meaningful from every opportunity, but the keynote address and breakout sessions stood out as uniquely impactful. Presenters shared their stories, experiences, and firsthand accounts of the challenges faced by English learners, which made the content deeply relevant and inspiring. Although I began the conference feeling nervous and uncertain, I left with new perspectives and actionable strategies to bring into my teaching. To my surprise, it quickly became one of the most meaningful professional development experiences of my career. Since then, I have earned my English Learner Licensure, accepted a position as a multilingual learner teacher, and attended another multilingual learner conference. Now, in my first year in this new role, I feel eager to continue seeking knowledge that will strengthen my pedagogy and enhance my effectiveness for the students I serve.