Scriptures
I Corinthians 3:8-9
Discussion Questions: Post your initial responses to the discussion forum by Wednesday 11:59 p.m. and respond to the discussion of others by Saturday 11:59 p.m.
Discussion Question 1 (10 points)
Prompt: Discuss how professional development is used for professional growth in your school. Give examples of how. Refer to Tables 9.1, 9.2, and 9.3 in Human Resources for School Leaders: 11 Steps to Utilizing HR to Improve Student Learning when creating your response.
Collaborative Learning Communities
Following the model in Table 9.2, my school has established Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). These are small groups of teachers from the same grade level or subject area who meet regularly. During these meetings, we discuss student data, share successful lesson plans, and collaboratively solve classroom challenges. For instance, my PLC for eighth-grade science meets weekly to review student performance on recent assignments. We identified a common struggle with understanding cell division, so we worked together to create a new, hands-on activity that we all implemented. This approach fosters a culture of shared responsibility and continuous improvement.
Mentorship and Coaching
My school also uses mentorship and coaching programs, as outlined in Table 9.3, to support professional growth. Veteran teachers are paired with new hires to provide guidance and support throughout their first year. The mentor helps the new teacher navigate school policies, classroom management, and curriculum planning. Additionally, we have instructional coaches who work one-on-one with teachers. For example, a coach recently observed my classroom and then met with me to provide specific, constructive feedback on my use of questioning strategies. This personalized feedback is invaluable for refining my skills and identifying areas for improvement.
Professional development is a key strategy for professional growth in my school, focusing on improving teaching practices and, ultimately, student learning. We use a variety of methods to achieve this, from formal training to collaborative, in-house programs, all designed to foster continuous improvement.
Formal Training and Workshops
My school utilizes formal training sessions and workshops, as detailed in Table 9.1 of Human Resources for School Leaders, to introduce new pedagogical strategies and technologies. For example, a recent professional development day was dedicated to a workshop on differentiated instruction. This training provided teachers with concrete strategies and tools to tailor their lessons to meet the diverse needs of all students, from those who need extra support to those who require more of a challenge. This directly improves teaching skills by providing a structured environment for learning new techniques.