Professional Learning

Part of the mission of the Telescope Network is to seek out and magnify the successful teachers, effective practices, and models of teacher-driven professional learning.

Models of Professional Learning

(November 2021) Let’s collaborate to design professional learning experiences that meet your needs and fit your constraints. Here’s an overview of our most popular programs:

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Virtual Professional Learning Communities (VPLCs)

Now more than ever, BPS educators want a space to connect and share with each other. These virtual professional learning community (VPLC) groups are a space to connect with colleagues from across Boston Public Schools. Participants can collaborate with same-role colleagues from other schools, share resources, and troubleshoot.

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Learning Sites

Learning Sites are day-long school-based sessions that include an extended classroom observation and pre-and post-observation discussions. Participants set individual goals and can join in optional follow-up coaching sessions.

97 percent of 2018-19 participants said that they would recommend this experience to a friend or colleague.

Contact us if you'd like to attend or host a Learning Site.

Partners:

Virtual Conferences/Connect & Share Conferences

After the COVID-19 school closures began in March 2020, we created a “Connect & Share” webinar series. These 1-hour sessions were a chance for BPS educators to connect with colleagues from across the district and share both their successes and challenges. At the end of April, we co-hosted a 2-day virtual “Connect & Share” conference with the BPS Technology Team.

In subsequent virtual conferences, we asked "humble expert" panelists to share resources and materials from their own virtual classrooms. Afterwards, participants were invited to join a Google classroom where session resources and materials were shared.

Edcamps

Edcamps are participant-driven “unconferences” where there is no pre-set agenda. The New York Times describes Edcamps as “an innovative form of training with no predetermined speakers or sessions, led by the participants themselves.” At an Edcamp, participants create the session topics at the start of the event based on their interests and questions. Edcamps provide educators with a professional learning model for growing, connecting, and sharing expertise with others in the room.

96 percent of 2018-19 participants said that they would recommend this experience to a friend or colleague.

Check back for updates about our fall and spring Edcamps.

Partners:

Planning Groups

A planning group is a hybrid professional learning experience. It starts with an in-person launch session where participants have a chance to share resources and make connections. It also includes monthly virtual check-in sessions. In order to earn an academic ladder credit (ALC), participants created a portfolio that included lesson plans, reflections, and samples of student work.

Learning Labs/Learning Circles

Learning Labs are school-based teacher-led learning teams. Similar to Professional Learning Communities (PLCs).

Learning Circles were interest-based groups that met monthly at the Kennedy Academy for Health Careers during EMK’s school-based PD time. These were a chance to work in teams focused on a specific topic. Research shows that topic-based collaborative learning structures like this or PLCs (Professional Learning Communities), are a great way to boost teacher effectiveness and job satisfaction.

Contact us if you're interested in hosting one at your school.

DIY Coaching

DIY Coaching is an emerging teacher-led professional learning model from the BPS Data Inquiry Team. Through the use of video, DIY Coaching participants develop their reflective practice, peer coaching skills, and instruction.

In 2018-19, the Telescope Network helped to sponsor one DIY coaching cohort of BPS math and science teachers that was facilitated by Elizabeth Serva, a teacher at Charlestown High School.

Peer Visits/Peer Observation Partners

This is a micro-PD, where teachers can be paired to observe and consult with another teacher for a day within the district. Contact us if you're interested in joining or hosting a peer observation.