Professional Learning Essentials

If you will complete your masters or doctorate degree by January 1, 2024, you can request mid-year movement on the salary schedule.

Submit your college credit in Frontline and your official transcripts indicating all requirements have been met to etranscripts@olatheschools.org . Then request column movement by February 15, 2024 for the last half of the contract year.

Although the due date to request salary movement to BS+ or MS+ columns for 2023-24 has passed, you can be working on earning college credits, professional development points, and CEUs (if eligible) for the next opportunity.

Earning College Credit- No Action Plan Needed

• Click here to access the College Credit page of the Professional Learning Website to learn about some options.

Earning Points- Through the Action Plan Process

• Develop a SMART goal
• Gain new knowledge focused on your goal
• Implement the new learning with your students
• Measure the impact on student learning

Click here to access the updated Action Plan Process document for more information!

Earning CEUs (for those who are eligible) Through the Action Plan Process

• Submit an Action Plan in Frontline
• Earn CEUs connected to your SMART goal

Our Negotiated Agreement states that you must have an Action Plan in place in order to earn CEUs purposed for movement on the salary schedule.

Need help writing a SMART Goal?

Reach out to Jenna Kuder at jkuderirc@olatheschools.org or the

Action Plan Coach for your Feeder Pattern:

Olathe North Feeder Pattern: Dawn Mercer at dmercerrv@olatheschools.org

Olathe Northwest Feeder Pattern: Betsy Lawrence at bjlawrence@olatheschools.org

Olathe East Feeder Pattern: Natasha Roseberry at nroseberrywa@olatheschools.org

Olathe South Feeder Pattern: Patty Mulligan at pmulliganht@olatheschools.org

Olathe West Feeder Pattern: Tiffany Cross at tlcross@olatheschools.org

Do you have questions about submitting forms in Frontline?

• Professional Development Points- Reach out to Jenna Kuder at jkuderirc@olatheschools
• College Credit/CEUs/Salary Movement- Reach out to Jenny Koonce at jlkoonce@olatheschools.org

If you haven't had a chance to check out the New and Improved Professional Learning Website, be sure to do that now!!

• Click here to access the Professional Learning Website.- You will need to log into your Google Apps for Education Account. Be sure to bookmark the link for easy access to information!

• Click here to find a scavenger hunt you can use to practice navigating the Professional Learning Website. Submit your completed Scavenger Hunt to Jenna Kuder at the IRC to be entered into a prize drawing for a Sonic or Starbucks drink delivery!

The site will be updated frequently to bring you the latest and greatest information about professional learning opportunities, important due dates, Frontline instructions, and more!

BIG3 Tuesdays

• Professional Learning Opportunities are available on many Tuesday afternoons starting at 4:15pm. Check out the options on the BIG3 Tuesdays page of the Professional Learning Website. Click here to access the BIG3 Tuesdays page.
• We would love your feedback about the BIG3 Tuesdays. Click here to complete the survey!

EPIC Learning Series

• Though designed for educators new to Olathe, the sessions are open to anyone wanting to dive into the topics offered. Click here to access the EPIC Learning Series page.

Attending out-of-district activities requires prior approval in the following circumstances:

• The activity occurs during your contract day and requires a substitute or you are requesting professional leave to attend.
• You are requesting that the district provide funding for registration, travel, or other expenses.

If you are requesting professional leave or funding, you will need to contact your department director, coordinator, or facilitator or your building administrator to discuss the opportunity. Use the CERT: Out of Dist Prof Act form in Frontline to submit your request. Please submit your request at least 4 weeks prior to the activity. Points earned for an approved activity for which the district provides funding or professional leave will be purposed for relicensure only.

Please note the following criteria when requesting to attend an out of district opportunity supported by the district:

• The activity must be congruent with district philosophy.
• The activity must match the goals outlined in an approved District or Building Professional Learning Plan.
• Attendance at the activity should enhance the educational experience for Olathe District students.
• Attendance at the activity is supported by requester’s administrator/supervisor and indicates how attendance will improve instruction, be shared with colleagues, assist in meeting goals, and ultimately benefit students.
• Individuals who are officers of organizations receive consideration, but approval is not automatic.
• Individuals who would like to be a presenter should seek approval prior to making a commitment to present.

Want to learn more about opportunities available for your department? Check out the Professional Learning Website! You will find a section about out of district opportunities.

If you are not requesting professional leave or funding for attending an out-of-district activity but you want to earn professional development points for relicensure and salary movement, please check out the Action Plan Process on the Professional Learning Website.

Thank you to those who completed the survey for the October 13th District Professional Learning session. The results have been shared with our various departments so that we may work toward continuous improvement of our professional learning experiences.

Here are a few highlights of the data:

Content of the session was beneficial and relevant to my position:

• 88% responded Strongly Agree or Agree

Content of the session increased the depth or breadth of my knowledge:

• 80% responded Strongly Agree or Agree

Session format was invitational and stimulating with opportunities to think, process, and share:

• 87% responded Strongly Agree or Agree

My level of involvement in today's session could be rated as:

• 88% responded Highly Engaged or Engaged

Jenna Kuder- jkuderirc@olatheschools.org

5006-8180