CHAPTER FOUR
Professional Learning Culture in SJI
The Spirit of Learning Besides teaching , setting tests and exams , marking , CCA , camps , trips , administrative work and family commitments , SJI staff learn continually . The Professional Development team in SJI - Anne Tan , Jeremy Liew , Karl Lee and Vivian Tan - share what they do to keep the staff updated and progressive in their mission as Lasallian educators .
Our Beliefs At SJI , our staff are professionals who are committed to lifelong learning , to empower Josephians to learn how to learn and to learn how to live . We believe that when we are engaged in our learning , joy and meaning follow . This is what we hope to model for our students .
PD Growth Framework 2018 conceptualized by SJI PD Team , adapted from Brandsford ’ s Perspectives of Learning Environments
Our Plan The SJI Learning & Development Plan facilitates Professional Development ( PD ) for staff at three levels – Universal ( school wide ), Selected ( department / targeted group ) and Indicated ( targeted individuals ). The 4Cs of Growth approach provides an integrated school-wide approach to PD that every staff member from school leaders to classroom teacher can plan and pursue PD growth through taking on a PD Challenge , Collaborate with colleagues , Connecting with people / organisations outside SJI and through Coaching .
How and What We Learnt We Challenge ourselves to grow professionally One-Minute Teacher ( OMT ) During our weekly Contact time , a volunteer teacher will share a learning point , ranging from pedagogy to reflection , success or challenge . OMT stimulates conversations among teachers to share / learn ideas and this has been a great learning starter !
“ Through the OMT experience , I was able to reflect on my educational philosophy to identify those core values that drive my teaching beliefs . OMT gave me the invaluable opportunity to have chats with teachers about how they can use ICT in their lessons .” – Ms Maggie Brown , English Literature teacher
Who says gaming is not learning ? Everyone loves a good game !
Teacher Talk Teacher Talk is a time for our staff to share their many talents , interests and passion besides teaching . Through the fun and enriching activities during Teacher Talk , we experience the joy of learning .
Learning from Guest Speakers The school regularly invites professionals and industry leaders to share their ideas and perspectives on societal trends , challenges and opportunities . This year , SJI was honoured to have Mr Ho Kwon Ping , Chairman of Banyan Tree Holdings and Chairman Board of Trustees Singapore Management University for our Teachers ’ Dialogue . It was an opportunity for teachers to hear from a person whose experiences and accomplishments traverse both industry and education .
Mr Ho shared a personal experience of his own younger son who struggled through much of his school life . The turning point came when he went to a school that recognised and rewarded both effort and accomplishment . This built up the confidence that was to see him progress both academically and personally . This personal story set the tone for the dialogue as teachers could readily identify with the struggles that some students have in their education journey . The importance of building confidence was a timely reminder for us as educators .
Teachers dancing their way to learning how to achieve balance between mind and body !
Mr Ho shared his belief that it is time for our good education system to move away from focusing on the top academic performers but to broaden and deepen the emphasis on ‘ special needs ’ individuals – ranging from
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