pd_discussion_09-10

=Professional Development Discussion 2009-2010=

We have several areas in our mission to improve student learning that will require professional development. We will continue to learn about some topics, like Conscious Discipline and Cognitively Guided Instruction. Other topics will emerge from the newly rewritten Communication Arts curriculum, like K-2 phonemic awareness.

We are also faced with three less 2-hour sessions for professional development next year. We will need to think about ways to organize our professional development that will provide the best training and make the most out of the money we have available. We have used a variety of strategies to leverage our funding and learning. Please take a moment to think about the following statements or questions and respond.

1. First, reflect on our use of JEPD time this year. Was this time useful to your learning process? How did it impact your students' learning? Is this PD activity still useful? If so, what should the focus of our JEPD time be for your grade level?

2. Second, reflect on our use of vertical teaming this year. Was this time valuable to your understanding of Algebraic Relationships? If we were to use vertical teaming again, how would you improve our time together?

3 A "Cohort" is a group of committed learners who focus on one topic of study. All members are expected to participate fully. If we were to design professional development around specific topic, like Cognitively Guided Instruction, would you commit yourself to be a part of a "cohort"? What topic would you want to study in this manner?

4. What do believe should be our school's focus for professional development next year? Why do you think this professional development will improve our students' learning?