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 335

Leadership Professional Development Tradition Cultures 335

A Principal's Reflections

OCTOBER 25, 2020

Now is not the time to revert back to traditional observation and evaluation protocols because, quite frankly, they will not result in improved outcomes. If you can't, consider developing a schedule where administrators and other support staff can fill them in lieu of teachers. The majority of educators fall into the latter.

Leadership 510

Leadership Pedagogy Professional Development Tradition 510

Edthena

NOVEMBER 2, 2023

That means they have come from non-traditional educational backgrounds and that meant these new teachers were going to need more instructional coaching cycles than traditionally trained teachers. In fact, approximately 85 percent of its new teachers in recent years have been alternatively certified. Filling teacher vacancies is one challenge.

Tradition 111

Tradition Professional Development Humanities Teaching 111

Edthena

AUGUST 24, 2021

Building more content knowledge is often the go-to for teacher professional development, especially during back-to-school season. Heather Hill, a researcher at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, says to skip the PD that’s focused solely on developing new content knowledge. The findings were surprising.

Professional Development 98

Professional Development Tradition Teaching Research 98

ED Surge

MAY 1, 2024

At that moment, it dawned on me that traditional SEL approaches might not suffice for students entrenched in adversity, necessitating a more nuanced and culturally sensitive framework to effectively meet their emotional needs. He explicitly stated, “I know that that is what the book says we should do, but these kids are from Brownsville.

Professional Development 105

Professional Development Elementary School Cultures Tradition 105

A Principal's Reflections

DECEMBER 3, 2017

Traditional Grading Practices and Homework There is a great deal of research out there that supports changes to how educators grade and the use of homework. Will you challenge the status quo to improve the educational experience for your learners? As our district took on homework. What will you do to improve these practices?

Professional Development 324

Professional Development Leadership Tradition Research 324

Edthena

DECEMBER 27, 2023

This innovative approach to professional learning is changing how educators refine their skills and teaching practices. Unlike traditional coaching, which often relies on external feedback, AI coaching provides a unique, introspective avenue for professional growth. Empower teachers to take charge of their professional learning.

Teaching 52

Teaching Professional Development Tradition Educational Technology 52

Edthena

JANUARY 9, 2024

Unlike traditional coaching educators can control the pace and focus of their professional development with AI coaching. AI Coach respects teachers as professional learners and gives them agency in their professional development journey.

Professional Development 59

Professional Development Education Tradition Teaching 59

The Hechinger Report

AUGUST 13, 2024

To help them succeed, the school — which last year served just over 500 high schoolers , roughly 80 percent of whom qualified for free or reduced priced lunch — provides its teachers with daily professional development and coaching on literacy instruction and other topics.

High School 145

High School Teaching Primary Sources K-12 145

Catlin Tucker

JANUARY 10, 2022

I’d argue that the answer is , in part, giving them the permission and tools to rethink traditional workflows. These traditional workflows do not position the students to be active agents or help them to develop into expert learners, who are resourceful, strategic, motivated, and self-aware.

Project-Based Learning 187

Project-Based Learning Professional Development Tradition Critical Thinking 187

ED Surge

MARCH 20, 2024

Webinar panelists Stacie Johnson , leader of professional development at Khan Academy, Pat Youngpradit , chief academic officer at Code.org and leader of TeachAI , and Brian Johnsrud , global head of education learning and advocacy at Adobe , each offered unique and valuable perspectives on the intersection of AI and creativity.

Pedagogy 130

Pedagogy Advocacy K-12 Economics 130

ED Surge

JANUARY 10, 2024

This is one example of many in our paper that demonstrates how those with traditional power — leaders, researchers and solution developers — emerge from the Inclusive Innovation and adapt to support the leadership of teachers, students and families in the R&D process.

Education 111

Education Leadership Professional Development Tradition 111

A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 5, 2018

However, there is another significant impediment to change that doesn’t get as much focus as it should and that is tradition. Tradition, combined with the comfort of the status quo, forms a plausible excuse for not changing. To create a thriving culture , some hard battles against tradition need to be fought.

Cultures 223

Cultures Tradition Professional Development Research 223

Catlin Tucker

NOVEMBER 30, 2021

This year, traditional approaches to professional development may feel daunting because teachers are spread thin due to substitute shortages and the challenges associated with returning to physical classrooms. A book club may present a more manageable, self-paced approach to professional learning.

Professional Development 143

Professional Development Tradition Teaching Education 143

A Principal's Reflections

NOVEMBER 17, 2019

They possess keen insight and knowledge on both traditional and innovative pedagogical techniques that empower learners to think critically, construct new knowledge, and apply what has been learned in a variety of ways. Instructional leaders roll up their sleeves and make the time to get into the trenches.

Leadership 376

Leadership Professional Development Tradition Cultures 376

A Principal's Reflections

JUNE 30, 2019

The same can be said about drive-by professional development. For the purposes of this post, let’s put aside more traditional pathways that are either provided to educators or ones that are sought out, such as conferences and workshops. One-and-done events might get everyone pumped up and excited, but what comes next?

Archiving 395

Archiving Leadership Professional Development Tradition 395

The Hechinger Report

APRIL 1, 2024

Yet, traditional ESOL teacher certification processes are often burdensome, inflexible and financially onerous. This is especially true in rural communities with few options to support professional learning experiences. One core underlying issue is the shortage of ESOL educators.

Tradition 85

Tradition Public School Professional Development Leadership 85

Dangerously Irrelevant

JULY 27, 2021

Our goal was to try and parse out What do leaders at innovative schools do that is different from their counterparts in more traditional schools ? Within these contexts of teacher autonomy and empowerment, teacher professional learning does not fit traditional patterns.

Leadership 110

Leadership Professional Development Tradition Cultures 110

ED Surge

FEBRUARY 10, 2022

Such approaches directly respond to research showing the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and math identity among students historically excluded from STEM fields, something traditional approaches often fail to do. Traditional meritocratic narratives and implicit biases about students’ abilities can stand in the way of change.

Professional Development 144

Professional Development Tradition Teaching Research 144

Edthena

APRIL 17, 2024

In Spokane Public Schools , a forward-thinking approach to professional development is making waves, under the strategic direction of Nick Lundberg, Title I and Special Programs Coordinator.

Professional Development 64

Professional Development Public School Tradition Educational Technology 64

Political Science Now

JULY 11, 2024

In addition to teaching traditional political science courses, she serves as campaign manager for the campus-wide voter mobilization program Vote Oswego and coordinator of SUNY Oswego’s broader civic engagement efforts. Allison Rank is an associate professor of American Politics at SUNY Oswego.

Civic Engagement 68

Civic Engagement Teaching Political Science Civics 68

ED Surge

MARCH 9, 2023

During the pandemic, she saw creativity pushed away as schools scrambled to get the traditional core content out to students. Add to all of this the external pressures of standardized testing, top-down mandates, traditional grading and parent pressure—teachers find less controversy in just using traditional teaching practices.

Library 131

Library Tradition Professional Development Cultures 131

ED Surge

MARCH 28, 2022

This work requires a depth of discipline and perseverance from our students that can at times be difficult to foster within the limits of traditional instruction. The white picket fence, two kids, and the traditional nine-to-five workday are quickly losing their appeal. The American Dream no longer exists as Gen Xers know it to be.

Teaching 107

Teaching Tradition Pedagogy Professional Development 107

ED Surge

JULY 25, 2022

Yet, many of the traditional strategies employed, while absolutely essential to professional growth, can be cumbersome and disruptive for teachers, their students and even those responsible for offering support. She believes that this combination is not only time-saving, but also helps teachers develop autonomy.

K-12 118

K-12 Classroom Management Professional Development Elementary School 118

ED Surge

JANUARY 26, 2024

I was offered a job at Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School as a school social worker — but with a unique spin on the traditional role. While benefits like free lunch, an extra planning period, or professional development on self-care for teachers can be supportive, they can often feel like Band-Aids on top of a gaping wound.

Charter School 118

Charter School Professional Development Tradition Humanities 118

ED Surge

JUNE 19, 2024

Picture it: a room bustling with eager five-year-olds unaccustomed to center procedures and five iPads as the hottest commodity amidst blocks, dolls and traditional learning stations. I can still vividly recall the chaotic scene of introducing iPads into Kindergarten classrooms. What’s the Kindergarten version of the Hunger Games?

EdTech 106

EdTech Professional Development Educational Technology Tradition 106

Living Geography

APRIL 7, 2024

There is a considered critique of a number of concepts and theories in education, as well as some of the traditional ways of 'doing things'. It's a very readable book which belies the scholarship underpinning its arguments - which are set out with admirable clarity.

Geography 52

Geography Teaching Social Science Professional Development 52

Catlin Tucker

APRIL 22, 2020

To better support shared learning, I’ve partnered with Learning Innovation Catalyst (LINC) to offer learning modules through LINCspring , their online coaching and professional development platform.

Project-Based Learning 145

Project-Based Learning Library Professional Development Tradition 145

ED Surge

MARCH 13, 2023

Lam, who began learning to code six years ago, developed his skills at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Master Trainer Program in Boston, an experience sponsored by his school and supported by CoolThink@JC. Now, he hosts professional development workshops and lesson demonstrations for other teachers in Hong Kong.

Pedagogy 105

Pedagogy Professional Development Critical Thinking Teaching 105

A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 12, 2010

As a result, I have seen my own knowledge increase in these areas, participated in exciting professional development opportunities, presented at both my school and at other events on web 2.0, Conference educational technology Professional Development Vision' and begun to collaboratively change the culture of my school.

Professional Development 263

Professional Development EdTech Educational Technology Leadership 263

The Hechinger Report

NOVEMBER 16, 2021

Technically, it was a normal districtwide professional development day: one without students, where school staff members are expected to come and learn something new, refine existing skills or plan upcoming lessons. Credit: Kelli Johansen for The Hechinger Report. Credit: Kelli Johansen for The Hechinger Report.

Professional Development 139

Professional Development Elementary School Public School Middle School 139

ED Surge

JULY 10, 2024

As part of this program at Morris County Vocational School, in New Jersey, where I teach, students engage in research about key issues at our school and learn how to plan effective professional development to support the staff.

High School 124

High School Museum Education History 124

Catlin Tucker

JULY 3, 2020

What I want to avoid is a situation where teachers are presented with an alternative schedule in August and given a handful of professional development days to figure out how to adjust a semester’s worth of curriculum for a hybrid schedule.

Pedagogy 218

Pedagogy Leadership Professional Development Tradition 218

Digital Promise

AUGUST 11, 2021

Establishing a strong culture of coaching, however, requires structures to be in place in a school or district such as designated time for coaching, and ongoing professional development for coaches and administrators.

Cultures 123

Cultures Professional Development Leadership Tradition 123

A Principal's Reflections

APRIL 30, 2012

Education is currently at a crossroads as traditional methods and tools are changing as a result of advances in technology and learning theory. With change comes the inevitable need to provide quality professional development. Schools can leverage tech savvy teachers to facilitate professional development.

Education 361

Education Professional Development Educational Technology Pedagogy 361

A Principal's Reflections

FEBRUARY 1, 2012

Prior to delving into this 140 character world I utilized traditional mediums for communication and professional development, had no idea what Web 2.0 As I have previously mentioned many times on this blog, it was Twitter back in March of 2009 that served as a catalyst for my transformation into the leader that I am today.

Professional Development 283

Professional Development Leadership Educational Technology Tradition 283

ED Surge

AUGUST 29, 2022

Daniel Fung How has your experience as a CoolThink@JC fellow shaped your professional development and approach to pedagogy? When I facilitate professional development, I place teachers into groups and design activities that guide them to analyze a problem for different solutions. For me, this is a new way of thinking.

Pedagogy 96

Pedagogy Professional Development Teaching Tradition 96