I have never been part of a professional teaching organisation. I was a member of the South Western Psychological Association (SWPA) when I was a student at university, but have never felt the need to join another organization since. As part of my master's program requirements, I looked at some of the professional teaching organizations that apply to me in the broadest sense, teaching as an educator, as well as in the teaching field closer to home, my teaching field chosen, meaning. I am currently part of two professional teaching organizations that relate to my field. I have found that the support structure and information they provide can be very helpful and enlightening. I have already learned new methodologies that I can apply to my current job and I plan to encourage my colleagues to join too. I've also thought long and hard about where I am on the scale from novice teacher to experienced teacher. I don't consider myself an expert teacher but I'm sure I'm not a beginner. After reading information on the Kappa Delta Pi website, as well as other professional teaching companies, I have had the opportunity to do some soul-searching and learn what my strengths and weaknesses are in both being a professional teacher is on my path to becoming an expert educator. If I were to try to place myself in Berliner's (1986) 5 stages of teacher development, I would say that I could place myself firmly in the "Proficient Level". As I learned more about what makes a great teacher, I began the process of looking within and evaluating my strengths and weaknesses as an educator. I haven't always liked what I've found, but I see in myself the potential to be an ex...... middle of paper......, training and effort, without which, I can never hope to make it. be the teacher I want to be. Of all the materials, articles and websites I have read this week, I feel like the most important realization is that I need to be part of a professional organization. I need to be able to learn more and give back to my fellow professionals. I hope to continue my journey towards excellence in teaching and learn to use all available resources to do so. I am also happy to have been able to find many positive ideas both in my professional and teaching activities. Knowing what I'm doing keeps me motivated and has renewed my belief that I'm a better teacher. I'm also happy to have found many areas to continue working on to improve myself. With these deficits in mind, I will continue to improve and be the educator I know I can be.