Have you ever wondered what happens when the teachers in the district have a planned in-service day? The activities are most often guided by state or federal mandates and the district's strategic plan. The current strategic plan, which will be in place from 2019-2024, identifies the areas of instructional technology and differentiated instruction as the focus for professional learning.
Professional development will center around these topics for the length of the plan, allowing teachers to master both areas. Here is a glimpse into the plans for the November 5 professional development workshops and activities. There are three components to the day:
1. Meeting the mandate of Senate Bill 144: This bill recognized ACEs, which are Adverse Childhood Experiences, and the potential impact on students' well-being. The Bill mandates training for teachers that includes the identification of symptoms of trauma and ways to support students who are suffering from abuse, neglect or trauma. The staff will complete training in Trauma-Informed Teaching, by guest speaker, Joshua MacNeill, Director of NeuroLogic.
2. Instructional Technology: Now that students regularly have access to mobile devices such as Chromebooks or iPads, helping teachers to use them to elevate instruction and heighten student engagement is critical. In order to continue the journey of mobile device implementation, instructional technology workshops will be led by staff members who use tools that have been successful in their classrooms. Some will be subject-specific in areas such as Math and Music, and others will feature applications or programs that enhance student collaboration, communication, creativity and/or critical thinking. All will be designed to help teachers enhance their craft and allow them to employ new strategies in the classroom following the experience. Examples of workshop topics include: WeVideo, Adobe Spark, Google Certification, Google Expeditions and Tour Creator, Creating with iPads and Class Dojo.
3. Differentiated Instruction: Prior to the start of school, teachers selected a delivery model for their own differentiated learning experience about the strategies involved in differentiated instruction. Whether teachers selected a book study, online learning opportunity or collegial cohort, all are exposed to methods that allow for meeting the varied needs of students in a classroom and making learning accessible to all. Teachers will continue to grow in this area by being exposed to additional instructional strategies, reflecting on what they have already tried and collaborating with colleagues.
In-service days, such as this one, allow the district to provide learning opportunities for all of its teachers and focus on our commitment to Every Learner, Every Day.
