Supporting our Teacher Leaders Through Professional Development

Have you every wondered how teachers keep their skills sharp and stay abreast of the latest research on effective teaching? Certainly, teachers pursue graduate degrees, take on-line courses, read professional journals, attend book studies, and collaborate with colleagues. Teachers also stay up to date by attending professional development. Like many other professionals, teachers are required to earn continuing education credits each year to keep their licenses current and maintain highly qualified status.

Teachers often attend professional development off campus during their track out time. Last year, we offered teachers a variety professional development sessions at Banks Road. This year, our teachers are working in cohort models to earn professional development credits. Each group of teachers will complete two courses by the end of the school year. Teachers will take one course this fall and another in the spring. Most of the course sessions are held in the morning before school starts. Time is also set aside on early release days.

Both courses are aligned with our School Improvement Plan. One course targets K-5 writing. In this course, teachers will learn more about the writer's workshop model and how to effectively implement this model. The other course targets 21st Century learning and teaching. Teachers will receive more hands-on training so they can better integrate technology and 21st Century skills into their lessons. Our teachers are excited to be working together to complete their professional development. We are fortunate to have a number of qualified experts on staff who will be able to lead the courses.

Professional development is not something that we talk about very much with our school community but it is an important part of our continuous improvement cycle. High quality professional development positively impacts learning and teaching at Banks Road Elementary.

New Journeys Have Begun

We are almost 9 weeks into the 2010-2011 school year. Our goals are set and we are blazing trails to success! As mentioned in my previous post our students made impressive academic growth last year. This year, we are focused on improving student performance in reading. All grade level teams have set quarterly SMART goals for student growth in reading. We have extensive professional development in literacy and 21st Century Learning and Teaching planned for our teachers. Student will be receiving even more academic support through our new Title 1 program. I am also excited about the intersession program that will begin in a few weeks. The intersession program will allow us to provide additional days of instruction during track-outs to students who need support in reading, writing, and math. More information about Intersession will be coming soon. Teachers, students, parents, and staff are all focused on making 2010-2011 another awesome year at Banks Road Elementary! I hope you all enjoy the ride on this year's trail to success!