Application Processes

Guiding Considerations

When considering professional learning and development opportunities, the following questions will be used as a guide to decision-making:

• How will this learning opportunity support CA initiatives and goals?

• How will this learning opportunity support current or anticipated needs of the school?

  • Is the context of the training applicable and transferable to the CA context?

• What will be the positive impact on student learning, team learning, and school development?

• How does this learning opportunity support the staff member's role and personal learning needs? Is it a required training?

• What may be the impact on student learning or school function if this staff member is away?

  • What previous or anticipated absences may need to be considered? 

  • What comparable opportunities will have less of an impact on student learning and/or school function? (consider region, time away from school, and transferability)

• Has the staff member been shown to be a learning, reflective professional who shares their learning with colleagues?

• What previous learning opportunities has the staff member participated in?

• What are the staff member's intentions to stay at CA? (Staff members in their final year at CA are not eligible for external PD (except under extraordinary circumstances))

At times throughout the year, opportunities for professional learning will be offered to staff at CA. The process for these is as follows:

1. Members of the Curriculum Leadership Team or CA Leadership Team identify an area of need or training opportunity that will support learning and wellbeing at CA.

2. Staff are identified and invited to attend specific events. When appropriate, this will be done in consultation with department chairs / mid-level leaders. These events are considered "pre-approved". The invitation will identify of type of professional learning being offered - Personal, Faculty/Staff, Curriculum or Leadership. See definitions in previous section. 

3. Staff follow the regular application processes for the purposes of documenting the learning and processing reimbursement of expenses. This includes submitting KISSFLOW professional learning request and making personal travel arrangements.

At times, individuals or teams may identify a professional learning opportunity. 

The process for these is as follows:

1. The individual or team identify a potential learning opportunity.

2. The individual or team speaks with their Principal or Learning Leader. At this step, the Principal or Learning Leader may either reject or forward the request to the Curriculum Leadership Team.

3. Requests that are forwarded are then submitted via KISSFLOW as a professional development request. 

4. Members of the Curriculum Leadership Team will discuss the opportunity in the context of school needs and priorities and make decision.

5. The decision will be made by the Principals and Director of Learning. Some decisions will also include the Headmaster or CA Leadership Team, particularly when involving support staff or members of the leadership teams. 

The decision will include the distinction of type of professional learning - Personal, Faculty, or Leadership. See definitions in previous section. 

Both Personal and Faculty/Leadership opportunities follow this same process.

CA encourages staff to share their expertise and enthusiasm for learning with the wider community. These opportunities not only strengthen our collaborative learning environment, but also provide opportunities for staff to become action researchers in areas of passion. 

The steps are as follows:

1. The individual or team identify a potential presentation opportunity.

2. The individual or team speaks with their Prinicpal or Learning Leader. At this step, the Principal or Learning Leader may either reject or forward the request to the Curriculum Leadership Team.

3. Requests that are forwarded will be discussed by members of the Curriculum Leadership Team in the context of school needs and priorities and make decision. In some instances, protocol or required follow-up at CA may be attached to an approval.

4. If the opportunity to present is approved by CA Leadership, the individual/team should submit a proposal through the organization hosting the event. The Director of Learning and other members of the Curriculum Leadership Team are available to support or consult on the application.

5. If the proposal to present is accepted by the hosting organization, the individual/team submit a KISSFLOW professional development request. The request is "pre-approved". Instructions regarding registration and personal arrangements will be sent shortly after.

6. If the proposal to present is rejected by the hosting organization, the individual/team may still submit a KISSFLOW professional development request to attend the event. This request is not pre-approved and will be discussed as a professional learning opportunity with the Curriculum Leadership Team.

All decisions will be made by the Principals and Director of Learning. Some decisions will also include the Headmaster or CA Leadership Team, particularly when involving support staff or members of the leadership teams. 

The decision will include the distinction of type of professional learning - personal, faculty, or leadership. See definitions in previous section.

As an IB World School and an accredited school through WASC and CIS, playing a role in these agencies is one aspect of sharing our story. We encourage staff to become IB Educators or school visitors through CIS and WASC. Staff who are active in the global education setting bring their experience. expertise, training, and skills to their working teams at CA.

When the role will require you to miss school, you must adhere to the following procedure: 

1. The individual identifies a potential opportunity for workshop or school visit. Part of this process must be a check of the school calendar and understanding of the impact your absence will have on student learning and school function.

2. The individual must receive permission from their Principal. Discuss the opportunity and how your engagement with the wider educator network can bring benefit to our students and staff at CA. Clarify the cost to the school, if any.

3. With approval from your Principal, apply for the role through the external agency.

4. If the position is approved, let your principal know. Then submit a KISSFLOW application for the event as "CA Ambassador". This helps us document the work our staff are doing. If the work is fully funded by the organization, submit the cost as ¥1. Also submit a ReadySub application. 

Unsolicited Invitations:

At times, organizations may send you an unsolicited invitation. In this case, the same procedure applies:

1. Seek permission first from your Principal.

2. Confirm the invitation with the organization.

3. Submit KISSFLOW and ReadySub.

When no school days will be missed:

If you opt for workshops during your holidays, you will not miss school and no CA funding is required, you do not need to seek permission first.

1. Submit a KISSFLOW as a CA Ambassador to document the work.