My Professional Goals for the Next 5 years

This post is about my vision of where I will be in five years, so I am stating that by Winter 2027, I will have achieved the following professional goals:

1. Complete the Provincial Instructor Diploma Program (PIDP)

Right now I am planning to do the whole program in two years. I am currently on my second course so I am still in early stages of this goal! My plan is to keep doing one course after another, and right now I am on track. 

It is possible that my progress through PIDP will slow down as my workload increases. If so, I will aim to  complete PIDP in about three years' time. At any rate, I am confident I will complete it within five years!

2. Work Full-Time as ASL Instructor

There are a lot of opportunities to teach ASL classes and I am just starting out! I recently got my first job as ASL Consultant for a TV show being filmed in Vancouver. I have a growing network of ASL Teachers that are referring me to ASL teaching job opportunities. 

I recently had an interview for an extended-learning program where I would be teaching ASL course that is not for credit. It means there would be no grading assignments. I feel that this sort of course is a great start. I likely will start with teaching just one or two per semester, and then take on teaching more courses per semester as I become accustomed to teaching.  

After a while, I want to start teaching ASL Classes for credit which involves grading assignments. Again I will start with just one or two, and then add on more courses per semester as I become accustomed to the workload.

As long I keep taking on opportunities and gaining experience, in five years time I should be working full-time teaching ASL like my colleagues.

3. Explore Online Teaching

At this time I do not know if I will go down the path of in teaching online ASL classes but it is something I am committed to trying out. It would open up a lot of opportunities for me if I am able to apply for jobs teaching online ASL classes. I am going to take elective courses within PIDP for Teaching Online courses, and I am going to take on opportunities to teach Online ASL classes. 

In three years time, I will have completed PIDP and I will have much more knowledge in how to teach online. Also as I gain experience teaching ASL classes in-person, I can begin taking on opportunities to try out teaching online. In five years' time I want to have tried teaching ASL classes online at least twice, and I will have clarity on whether this is something I want continue doing. 

 © Roger Desmarais, 2022