Recently school district administrators are look ways to cut
their budgets due to declines in local state funding. Some administrators are asking whether professional
development workshops are worth the investment. I’ve found professional development workshops
to be very valuable for the teachers and staff who have been involved. The teachers benefit from learning new
information and gaining a different teaching perspective. Also, teachers who have
been working at a school for a long time can benefit from a fresh
perspective. During some professional
development sessions we have talked about how to improve communication with
students, academic success strategies and how to manage stress. It is amazing how many teachers do not take
time off of work to re-energize.
A presentation by someone who is an expert in their field can
get the attention of staff who have worked for long time. The presenter may have
worked in different kinds of school environments so that he/she is sensitive to
your schools challenges in terms of resources to effectively teach your students.
Your school does not need to be stuck in the ways that things were done in the
past. A professional development workshop
can help the participants to catch on to the new vision that you are
implementing in your school district. There are several benefits that professional
developments can provide.
1. A better response
to change
2. Improved
communication among teachers and students
3. The ability to engage
in meaningful problem solving
4. Inspire teachers
to pursue additional education
5. Learn how to
handle conflicts so that you create a winning response
6. Improve
communication with the parents
7. Learn how to implement a college going culture
8. How to manage stress
It is important for teachers, principals and superintendents
to take care of the whole person which includes their physical, intellectual,
emotional and social development. A
good professional development can help the staff to improve their own stress management. Healthy teachers contribute to a healthy
school environment. Sometimes it only
takes a half hour of walking a few days a week to get results. Walking helps educators
and other professionals to live a longer life.
The key to a successful professional development is awareness
of he needs of faculty and administration.
A survey may be one way to uncover the needs of the administration, staff
and students. Give the participant ample
opportunities to comment and to make suggestions. You will get greater investment in the professional
development when it is based on the participant’s suggestions. Most teachers want to do a better job and
they can benefit the students when they are included in the professional
development discussion. If you are looking for a professional development or
want to discuss this topic further contact Dr. Stephen Jones at
stephenjoness@rcn.com. http://www.DrStephenJones.net
