PD Magazine 356 OECS PD Magazine NEW (2) | Page 14

Professional Development CAN Here’s Help WORK Here’s Why By matching PD to goals, Focus PD on school and educational goals. it will help chart the Gather school-wide support. Match content of PD to teachers’ and students’ needs. Provide multiple opportunities for teacher collaboration. Focus on innovations that increase practical teaching skills that promote student success. course for the school’s success. Here’s How Collect data to identify priorities and formulate SMART goals to match the priorities. Administrative and colleague awareness of researched benefits of professional development will foster enthusiasm and participation in PD. Identify key advocates to use established marketing approaches and strategic planning to generate teacher enthusiasm. The Principal needs to make full support clearly evident to all staff. Satisfaction that needs are being met will gain support for additional PD. Use the assessment cycle and regular revision of plans to ensure that ‘real’ problems are being addressed. Connect specific student performance and results to PD. Collaboration will enhance teacher self- efficacy and teamwork to achieve the desired goals. Develop teams and schedules for team meetings and activities to achieve a coherent and coordinated approach. Teams may be grade-level or subject specific. By providing teachers with a platform to gain innovative skills, teachers will be more willing to use these skills in their classrooms and improve their craft. Encourage innovation by creating opportunities for teachers to share new ideas or tools they have been exposed to or have used. Generate funds to support innovative trials of approaches and ensure adequate assessments to justify resource allocations. 9