Professional Learning for the PD Committee
We recommend that the school-based PD Committee spend two hours reading, discussing and reviewing the materials below. During this time, the Staff Development Committee can
- read and discuss the articles below
- review the Facilitators’ Guide for introducing professional learning to school staff
- decide the format for staff professional development: grade-level groups, subject-area teams, diverse teams, etc.
Be aware that members of the PD committee can choose to meet during the time set aside for Other Professional Work.
Suggested reading for the PD committee
Professional Learning for School Staff
We recommend one 80-minute session (or up to two hours) to serve as an introduction to professional learning for school staff. Below is a set of activities and materials for this session to be carried out in large or small groups. These activities clarify the value of collaborative professional learning and reaffirm the beliefs that led them to become educators. Members of the PD committee may serve as facilitators for this session.
Materials for Facilitators
- Facilitator's guide
- Facilitator's toolbox of strategies
- Download the session for school staff as PowerPoint presentation »
Presentations for Facilitators
Facilitators can present these materials to participants during the introductory session.
- Norms for professional development work
- Outcomes and agenda
- Reflection connection
- What we know about professional learning
- Collaborative poster: What works for us in professional learning?
Handouts for Participants
- Welcome activity: Talk Around
- Bookmarks for welcome activity
- Reading: Why take time for collaboration?
Download the materials as a complete PDF »
The following materials are used with permission of Learning Forward, www.learningforward.org. All rights reserved. “What is your professional IQ,” by Learning Forward, Tools for Learning Schools, Fall 2011. "How to build schools where adults learn," by Kevin Fahey and Jacy Ippolito, JSD, April 2014