DOCUMENT LIBRARY
Professional Considerations
Professional Development
Adapted from Taking Center Stage, California Department of Education, 2001, p. 238.
- Research emphasizes the importance of Professional Learning Communities (PLC) among teachers for the purpose of planning and implementing standards-based instruction. Yet many teachers spend a majority of time in isolation from other colleagues. Although a lack of time to interact is undoubtedly an important part of this problem, are there other variables that contribute to a go-it-alone approach at your school? Which factors are unique to you? Which are widely present among the teachers you know? Can you suggest ways to introduce or improve PLC effectiveness at your school? Invite other teachers to join you in this process. Consider appropriate ways to share the results.
- School-based professional development is an effective way to gain knowledge and skills. Evaluate your school’s professional development program. What are its strengths? Its weaknesses? What can you recommend to ensure that you and your colleagues have the knowledge and skills needed to function professionally in a standards-based middle school? How can the results of student assessments help you identify your professional development needs?
- Consider the range of professional staff development strategies listed in Idea Bank: School-Based Professional Development. Identify your list of highest priorities among those suggested. Are any categories missing? If so, identify them. Share this information with your principal, Professional Learning Community, and/or school-based professional development council.
- Is coaching/mentoring a part of your school’s professional development strategy? What are the most important qualities in a strong mentoring relationship? Consider first the role of the mentor and then the role of the person being mentored. Respond in the context of what mentoring might ideally be among professionals already engaged in their careers. Seek opportunities to discuss your thinking with others. If you do not have a mentor, whom might you invite to serve in that capacity? What would be required to have you take this step?
- What would be your major priorities in communicating to your district and/or to an institution of higher education ways to strengthen teacher or administrator certification programs? Develop a list of suggestions from your school and arrange to meet with the district representative and/or university dean of education to consider them. Explore ways in which your school might help implement some of your suggestions.