Standard 7 can be applied to almost any profession.  Professional growth is important in all jobs.  As far as the teaching profession, it is the teachers’ responsibility to always strive for growth in all aspects of their job.  Teachers must be lifelong learners.  One aspect of professional development is staying up-to-date with school safety procedures; this involves being educated on all of the policies and legal codes of professional conduct.  Teachers must be aware of all the possible procedures to take in case of any emergency that may take place within the school.

    With the rate at which technology is advancing in today’s world, technology within the classroom is advancing just as quickly.  Teachers should use all of the new technologies to their advantage; however, this means that teachers must have knowledge of the new technologies available and must be able to efficiently and effective utilize them.  Students are living in a world where there has always been advanced technology such as tablets and smartphones.  Teachers need to take this into consideration and understand that students will be more engaged when they are able to use all of these resources that they are familiar with inside the classroom as well.

    Teachers must be change agents within their school and community as well.  They should always be looking for ways for their school or community to grow.  Growth could come in the form of more response to intervention programs within the school or more programs geared toward the growth of gifted students.  Student achievement should always be a top priority of teachers.