ED Surge

JANUARY 25, 2023

As a classroom teacher, I always tried to improve my practice by reading academic and practice-based articles, attending trainings and connecting with fellow educators to share resources and troubleshoot challenges. Despite my love for learning, I strongly disliked most professional development sessions.

Professional Development 138

Professional Development Advocacy Tradition Leadership 138

A Principal's Reflections

JANUARY 11, 2015

The potential is there for schools and educators to empower students to take more ownership of their learning. Professional Development – As I work with schools and districts across the country on BYOD initiatives, I can honestly say that this is one area where mistakes are made.

Professional Development 384

Professional Development Artifacts Pedagogy Educational Technology 384

ED Surge

DECEMBER 13, 2023

In early spring this year, the local chapter of my teacher professional development organization held our first in-person conference since the pandemic. Local chapters like ours must adapt and embrace the new realities of teacher professional development, including the digital landscape where most PD has moved since the pandemic.

Professional Development 135

Professional Development K-12 Leadership Teaching 135

A Principal's Reflections

JULY 12, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic unearthed many harsh realities for education across the globe. Inadequate WIFI and the availability of computers at home for kids to use for learning caught many educators off guard. Drive-by professional development did not work in the past.

Pedagogy 529

Pedagogy Professional Development Leadership Cultures 529

ED Surge

JANUARY 27, 2023

It’s September 2021 and as one of the district’s instructional technology content leaders, I have finally been given the green light to host in-person professional development (PD) for this group of eager teachers after months of meeting online. Teachers trickle in as I set out muffins and candy at each table.

Professional Development 138

Professional Development Advocacy Lesson Plan Teaching 138

A Psychology Teacher Writes

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

Evidence Based Education blog. Review of Education, rev3.3226. Journal of Teacher Education, 67. Inconvenient truths about teacher learning: towards professional development 3.0. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 61. Why aren’t we doing instructional coaching even though everyone else seems to be?

Professional Development 130

Professional Development Psychology Classroom Management Social Science 130

A Principal's Reflections

MARCH 1, 2015

Ensure ongoing professional development – I cannot overstate the importance of this suggestion enough. Teachers need training on how to develop pedagogically sound lessons and quality assessments aligned to higher standards. Professional development should be ongoing and embedded throughout the school year.

Cultures 391

Cultures Artifacts Professional Development Leadership 391

A Principal's Reflections

SEPTEMBER 11, 2016

Both of my parents were public educators; my father an elementary principal in Hackettstown and my mother an elementary teacher in Flemington. They both touched lives and impacted kids like countless other NJ educators. Educators are, and have been, the cultivators of virtually every other profession.

Education 285

Education Pedagogy Professional Development Public School 285

Edthena

JUNE 5, 2023

Teacher professional development is a key component of school improvement, but are your teachers really getting the most from your instructional PD? Whether you’re a district-wide PD director or a school principal, it’s important to maximize the time teachers spend engaging in their professional learning and growth.

Professional Development 97

Professional Development Teaching Research Education 97

A Principal's Reflections

OCTOBER 17, 2021

At the individual level, intrinsic motivation drives educators to actively seek opportunities that support their diverse learning interests and needs. Professional development days, mostly packed into the beginning of the academic year, are still the preferred mode to support staff while adhering to specific mandates.

Professional Development 462

Professional Development Leadership Elementary School Tradition 462

A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 30, 2020

Educators have taken a critical lens as to why they teach the way they do and how it can be done more effectively. While it is excellent that educators now have a variety of options at their disposal, there is a growing concern that has to be addressed if learning is the goal. Be sure to check out my entire #remotelearning series.

Pedagogy 546

Pedagogy Professional Development Teaching Education 546

A Principal's Reflections

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022

Developing reflective skills is central to students’ academic and professional development within a discipline. The good news is that educators do not have to reinvent the wheel. However, educators can integrate opportunities to reflect throughout a lesson. Intentionality is key. & Clayton, P.

Pedagogy 510

Pedagogy Professional Development Research Education 510

A Principal's Reflections

OCTOBER 19, 2014

During my ten years as a school leader I dreaded professional development days in my district. I am not sure any educator looks forward to these monotonous experiences (developed under the guise of learning!) I attended many of these events just to meet the required hours of professional development.

Leadership 350

Leadership Professional Development Tradition Cultures 350

A Principal's Reflections

JANUARY 23, 2022

If it’s true that life is a test, then the COVID-19 pandemic represents the most challenging one education and everyone in the field has ever faced. If we burn out teachers our education system will never meet the needs of learners. That means no meetings, phone calls, emails, or mandated professional development.

Pedagogy 536

Pedagogy Professional Development High School Teaching 536

A Principal's Reflections

OCTOBER 8, 2023

Inclusion is essential for special education (SPED) because it promotes the social and academic development of students with disabilities, fosters a sense of belonging, and prepares them for life outside of school. It aligns with legal and ethical imperatives, is often cost-effective, and encourages teacher development.

Teaching 475

Teaching Junior High Professional Development Leadership 475

A Principal's Reflections

FEBRUARY 2, 2020

Recently the district asked me to be a part of their professional development day, which consisted of seven different learning strands specific to the needs and interests of their teachers. During a planning call prior, I was asked to work with special education, math, and reading teachers in particular.

EdTech 538

EdTech K-12 Pedagogy Professional Development 538

A Principal's Reflections

DECEMBER 12, 2021

It is the job of an educator to help them find and unleash it so that they can find success in the classroom and beyond. Passion surveys Finding out what really motivates and inspires kids can be one of the best uses of time an educator or school engages in if the act sparks changes to practice.

Lesson Plan 509

Lesson Plan Professional Development Tradition Education 509

A Principal's Reflections

JANUARY 31, 2021

Continue to advance learning and equity in your schools with professional development. We have seen so many educators innovative their practice in such a short period of time, especially regarding the purposeful use of technology. Prioritize time, standards, and SEL needs. Know and appreciate the impact you have.

Leadership 546

Leadership Professional Development Cultures Education 546

A Principal's Reflections

MAY 22, 2023

Additionally, a study by the National Center for Education Statistics found that students who used laptops in the classroom were more likely to say that they enjoyed school and that they were motivated to learn. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 42(4), 357-377. American Educational Research Journal, 50(3), 568-596.

K-12 476

K-12 Professional Development Research High School 476

A Principal's Reflections

MAY 12, 2024

No matter where I go, I get the same message from educators on their desire for practical strategies. This quote is important to educators because it highlights the importance of moving from theory to practice. Educators need to be shown how to put these into practice. Eric, we know the why.

Professional Development 407

Professional Development Research Education 407

A Principal's Reflections

MAY 17, 2020

The COVID19 pandemic has radically disrupted both society and education as we know it. Through it all, though, we have seen triumph and perseverance that serve as powerful motivating forces that can be used to collectively develop a new normal that might even be better. Hence, it is crucial to start to develop critical supports now.

Leadership 546

Leadership Pedagogy Professional Development Community Engagement 546

A Principal's Reflections

DECEMBER 3, 2017

When it comes to education, we see many practices that fall into this category, but more on these later. Below is a list of five things that I believe need to be overcome if meaningful change and improvement in education is the goal. Will you challenge the status quo to improve the educational experience for your learners?

Professional Development 336

Professional Development Leadership Tradition Research 336

A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 14, 2016

In my opinion that is the case in education. Educators and stakeholders alike have been brainwashed into thinking that a successful school or district is one who achieves through quantitative measures. If it doesn’t, then why is precious time spent on developing and enforcing it? What supporting evidence do we have?

Leadership 357

Leadership Professional Development Cultures Educational Technology 357

A Principal's Reflections

OCTOBER 4, 2020

For more information on various hybrid models, check out this detailed piece from Education Week. If you are already in a hybrid model, time can still be added with approval from the Board of Education. They should not be mandated to attend meetings, participate in PLC's, meet with parents, or attend professional development.

Pedagogy 508

Pedagogy Professional Development Leadership Teaching 508

A Principal's Reflections

OCTOBER 25, 2020

The pandemic has really put a strain on educators, yet they continue to rise to the occasion on behalf of kids. The majority of educators fall into the latter. If you can't, consider developing a schedule where administrators and other support staff can fill them in lieu of teachers. Something has to give.

Leadership 527

Leadership Pedagogy Professional Development Tradition 527

A Principal's Reflections

NOVEMBER 14, 2021

Packed with lesson ideas, AR/VR apps, and professional development this next-generation online portal can help all educators unleash creativity to trigger meaningful learning amongst all learners. In the words of Ken Robinson, “Curiosity is the engine of achievement.”

Professional Development 496

Professional Development Research Education 496

A Principal's Reflections

MARCH 13, 2022

There are many digital tools available to educators these days, which often creates an overwhelming feeling. Professional Learning Typical means of professional development (PD) such as drive-by events, one-off workshops, or book studies, while having value, will not lead to impactful virtual learning at scale.

Professional Development 513

Professional Development Leadership Research Pedagogy 513

A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 19, 2018

Historically, however, professional development has been limited to periodic workshops and training that focus mostly on administrative, operational, and compliance issues. Research has consistently shown that professional learning that leads to school improvement and meaningful changes to practice is ongoing and job-embedded.

Leadership 360

Leadership Professional Development Pedagogy High School 360

A Principal's Reflections

NOVEMBER 8, 2020

For the better part of my educational career, I always referred to any type of learning to assist me as a teacher or administrator as professional development (PD). The experiences where I had some level of choice were the most meaningful to me and resulted in real changes to my educational practice.

Professional Development 353

Professional Development Leadership Humanities Cultures 353

A Principal's Reflections

OCTOBER 22, 2023

With the suggestions in hand, the leaders were empowered to review what we had seen and my recommendations to determine the focus for an upcoming professional development day I would be facilitating. Feedback is a critical catalyst for professional learning and growth.

Psychology 417

Psychology Professional Development Cultures Leadership 417

A Principal's Reflections

FEBRUARY 18, 2024

We live in exciting times as unprecedented access to knowledge, research, and effective strategies at our fingertips can assist educators in creating meaningful experiences for students that align with both needs and strengths. One thing is for certain: learning is not linear. The rest is now history.

Junior High 468

Junior High Pedagogy Professional Development Leadership 468

A Principal's Reflections

JULY 5, 2014

On a professional level excuses can, and often do, have dramatic negative impacts when it comes to change on many levels. If education is good for one thing, it is for making excuses not to move forward. The feeling is that our system of education has worked so well during this time why change now.

Leadership 399

Leadership Professional Development Humanities Cultures 399

A Principal's Reflections

APRIL 8, 2013

21st Century Education Change educational technology Flipped Classroom Innovation New Milford High School teachers' I am excited to see what some of my other teachers have been working on in the coming weeks and am proud that time during the school day is being used productively.

Sociology 404

Sociology Artifacts High School Professional Development 404

A Principal's Reflections

NOVEMBER 8, 2015

A major point of frustration that I had as a principal and what I see now in my work with educators all over the world is the unwillingness of others to embrace change. Encourage colleagues resistant to change to attend professional learning opportunities with you, especially administrators. Get your students involved.

Professional Development 412

Professional Development Research Education Leadership 412

A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 4, 2024

Let’s now dive into the most popular myths that hold educators back when it comes to personalization. Myth 1: Technology is needed to personalize Years ago, almost every educational technology company jumped on the personalized learning bandwagon and hailed it as a holy grail for improving outcomes.

Professional Development 398

Professional Development Educational Technology Teaching Education 398

A Principal's Reflections

JUNE 30, 2019

The same can be said about drive-by professional development. So, what does meaningful professional learning look like? Take a look at the image below from Sylvia Duckworth to see what educators really value and think about what needs to change in your school or district. Like change, learning is a process, not an event.

Leadership 407

Leadership Archiving Professional Development Tradition 407

A Principal's Reflections

SEPTEMBER 14, 2014

Change is a word that is thrown around in education circles more and more each day. We are made to think that education is in a downward spiral and that students are ill prepared to succeed in college and/or careers that require students to think and apply learning differently. Image credit: [link] ?The Forced change rarely works.

K-12 345

K-12 Leadership Professional Development Cultures 345