Reflect on the process of developing leadership level knowledge, skills, and practices in this competency. What has been especially impactful/meaningful/important to you personally and professionally?
The CES program offered a combined pedagogy of distance and face to face intensive learning. The quality of the professor-student relationship was a critical component that served to connect the two instructional delivery methods. During my educational journey, I experienced major psychological and philosophical approaches to teaching, and I had several practical opportunities to apply my knowledge of these teaching methods through direct instructions. Each enlightening panorama I encountered accelerated my learning and will act as lifelong learning tools. Between the rigorous and based on evidence methodologies received during my program, I reflect on my educational foundations encouragingly.

Describe an area of strength that you have developed while in the program in this area of competency. What is one way you plan to utilize this strength in your vocation?
I am very sensitive to doctrinal integrity. Teaching requires strategic planning and organizing to achieve specific objectives; I believe here-in-lies my strength. It is within my capacity to identify the sequence of tasks and the resources needed to achieve the learning objectives for each course I facilitate. With this, I can clearly prioritize key action steps for the student to achieve each outlined Council for Accreditation of Counseling, and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) core competency. Whilst there is room for innovation, I am grateful for the professionals who came before, as I tend to consult their expertise. By seeking others’ input about critical actions, timelines, sequencing, methodology, and expected learning outcomes, I have enhanced my chances of achieving the collective educational mission.

Describe an area of challenge/growth opportunity in this area of competency. What is your plan to develop excellence in this area?
Teaching at the graduate, the post-graduate level is a new experience for me and in itself is a weakness that will develop naturally over time. I am grounded by my distinction between knowledge and wisdom. Additionally, a self-study revealed that my ability to anticipate the impacts and risks of decisions and actions, despite excellent planning, is another area of weakness. Although it is true we cannot prepare strategies to deal with every tribulation or drastic change, there is something to be said about the experience which organically lends itself to the recovery rate of the novice versus the expert. To grow in this area, I will continue employing the practice- feedback method. This includes my professional and personal self-development reflections. I will continue to consult with my teaching mentors and clinical supervisor who routinely provides me with evaluations that propose development activities aligned with our counselor education and supervision (CES) program tenets.

Reflect on how faith in Christ relates to this competency.
My faith is the spiritual substance that brings all things that are hoped for into existence. My quest for the infallible truth fits seamlessly with my interest in the cyclical process of teaching. My calling as a teacher is an academic venture with a spiritual benefit and these spiritual pursuits serve to ground my theoretical framework as an instructor. This for me is an example of “iron sharpening iron” (Proverbs 27:17, KJV). With this my faith, allows room for me to teach students from all walks of life and religious affiliations, by functioning through best practices, helping them navigate complex or sensitive issues, keeping the student’s best educational interests in mind.