Productive p.d.

Scheduling two days of professional development to close out the term was bound to create some questions. Would it be productive, relevant, worthwhile, boring? Would there be buy-in, and would everyone contribute in a meaningful way? The goals for the professional development sessions were to enhance both primary and intermediate collaboration within a professional learning community (plc), and to further develop our understanding of IB through deepening awareness of PYP and MYP practices.

The first impressions suggest that both goals were met to varying degrees. A key element of the sessions involved sharing best practices. It was highly enlightening to watch colleagues interact with one another, each revealing their strengths, tendencies, and characteristics as teachers. Some were detail oriented, others more broad in scope. Personally, I chose to share a lesson that I found useful this term that involved the use of back channeling and the technology of TodaysMeet. Now, I am personally not a techie, but I have been enhancing my lessons through its use. We also recorded our discussions of the p.d. using TodaysMeet. I tend to be big picture thinker and teacher, and this was evident during the session. From time to time I needed to be reminded to explain my methodology, its purpose, and usefulness. It occurred to me that my students must have the same questions, reactions, and experiences.

Other colleagues were strong on detail. They shared the value of beginning with the end in mind; knowing the summative assessment well in advance and the way that it will be marked. Others spoke of lessons that featured a common protocol, allowing students to experience the benefit of consistency. Still others emphasized the value of peer teaching, editing, and coaching.

As the first morning proceeded there was a team cohesiveness that was developing as a result of the activities and most importantly, sharing that was taking place. By the time that the session ended it was clear that colleagues were on the same page with one another and that we each had a better idea of what the other was doing inside and outside of the classroom.