Embedded Files
ALL Teacher-Directed PD that is not accounted for in the system-wide sessions listed here on this site, or through your building communication, should be tracked using the
PDP Tracking Form.
ALL teachers please click the button below to complete the form by End of Day 3/12.
MVYPS's System-wide Commitments
A System-Wide Commitment to Our Children
Emphasis on Teaching Models That Better Support All Learners -Co Teaching
Emphasis on Physical and Emotional Welfare of Our Students – VOCAL
Prioritize Alternative Approaches to Discipline – Think:Kids – Collaborative Problem-Solving
A Commitment to Nurturing the Culture Within Our Schools
Emphasis on Physical and Emotional Welfare of Our Staff – Behavioral Health
Emphasis on Relationships and Themes of Care
Focus on Strategies to Improve School Climate – EDSCLS
A Commitment to a Strong School Community Approach
A Commitment to Building Maintenance and Upgrade
Emphasis on Increasing Family Engagement
Explore Programs That Increase Support of Our Community
Professional Development Day Schedule
Professional Development Day Schedule
This half day of professional development is entirely structured around both district/school-directed and teacher-directed professional learning and development. It is MVYPS' hope that schools will take this time to structure PD and teaming efforts that promote their school and staff informed initiatives/school improvement actions. Also, it is MVYPS' hope that teachers will take advantage of the latter half of the day to engage in professional development that is collaborative, authentic and relevant to their practice, related to individual professional development plans, and enriches the learning experience of the students in their classrooms (see note below). ESPs have a normal contractual work day on this PD day and there are PD options provided for ESPs below.
MVRHS- 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
School-led PD 11:30 to 1:30 pm [School Climate Zoom required 11:30 am]
Teacher-directed PD 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm
K-8 Schools- 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
School-led PD 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm [School Climate Zoom required 12:30 pm]
Teacher-directed PD 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm
PLEASE NOTE: System-wide and school-sponsored PD will be offered on these days during teacher-directed time, but teachers/staff are not contractually obligated to participate in these offerings.
MVYPS Sponsored
MVYPS Sponsored
Professional Development
Professional Development
The following sessions that are planned for the first half of the professional development day are required of specific staff to attend, as listed in each option.
The following sessions that are planned for the first half of the professional development day are required of specific staff to attend, as listed in each option.
Please read through the options carefully. Where an option below is not required of you to attend, your building leader will communicate out the professional development that is taking place locally for which you are obligated to attend.
Please read through the options carefully. Where an option below is not required of you to attend, your building leader will communicate out the professional development that is taking place locally for which you are obligated to attend.
Any personal professional development that takes place during the district- or building-wide PD time will need to be cleared by your building leader.
Any personal professional development that takes place during the district- or building-wide PD time will need to be cleared by your building leader.
2025 MVYPS School Climate Survey Kick Off-Required ALL Staff
Time: 11:30 -11:55 pm MVRHS
12:30- 12:55 pm K-8
Purpose: This short Zoom meeting will provide a time for the school system to revisit the school climate survey initiative, answer questions on the direction of future application of this data, and how the data is being used currently. It also provides ALL staff a time complete the survey.
Facilitators: Dr. Richie Smith, Superintendent, and Kim Garrison, Behavioral Health Coordinator
Location: Zoom links below by grade level bands.
MVYPS SCHOOL CLIMATE SURVEY WEBSITE
MVYPS focus area(s):
A Commitment to Nurturing the Culture Within Our Schools
Emphasis on Physical and Emotional Welfare of Our Staff
Emphasis on Relationships and Themes of Care
Focus on Strategies to Improve School Climate
Teacher Choice- Professional Development
Teacher Choice- Professional Development
Communities of Practice (CoPs) at MVYPS
For 2024-20245 MVYPS will support the ongoing work of Communities of Practice as a high quality form of professional development. Through entitlement grant funds, the Superintendent is able to provided CoPs that have experienced ongoing success and support in the past with the opportunity to continue their work.
CoPs are required to meet for no less than 6 hours across the school year, with times being organized by the facilitator and the CoP members. Some CoP facilitators may choose to offer meeting times during teacher-directed PD time, while others may also meet after school and during other non-contractual times.
Click the arrow to the right to expand the list of available 2024-2025 CoPs for MVYPS educators.
Focus Areas(s):
Many of the CoPs focus on different buckets related to MVYPS' Commitments 2023-2024. The most common buckets are as follows.
Bucket 1: A System-wide Commitment to Our Children
Emphasis on teaching models that better support all learners
Emphasis on physical and emotional welfare of our students
Bucket 2: A Commitment to Nurturing the Culture within our Schools
Emphasis on relationships and themes of care
Emphasis on strategies to improve school climate
8th Grade English CoP (3/12, 3pm meeting by Zoom Link.)
This CoP will focus on core topics of curriculum and instruction in English language arts and the bridging of learning across the 8th to 9th grade transition. At times, this group may be meeting with 9th grade core.
English - Facilitator: Amy Wallace
8th Grade Math CoP (Contact Vanessa Forrester for scheduled meeting dates, locations and times.)
This CoP will focus on core topics of math curriculum and the bridging of learning across the 8th to 9th grade transition. At times, this group may be meeting with 9th grade core teachers to collaborate.
Math - Facilitator: Vanessa Forrester
Middle School Science CoP
This CoP will focus on core topics of curriculum and instruction in Science at the middle school level and the bridging of learning.
Science - Facilitator: Sara Hoffman
9th Grade English Language Arts (ELA) CoP (Contact Christine Ferrone for scheduled meeting dates, locations and times.)
This CoP will support the MVRHS' 9th grade ELA team in coming together to discuss changes to ELA programming at this grade level.
Facilitator: Christine Ferrone
Desmos Math CoP (Contact Eve Heyman for scheduled meeting dates, locations and times.)
This CoP will discuss and problem solve the implementation of Desmos Math into your curriculum with other educators at MVYPS.
Facilitator: Eve Heyman
Middle School Social Studies CoP (Contact Stacey Morris for scheduled meeting dates, locations and times.)
This CoP will focus on core topics of curriculum and instruction in Social Studies at the middle school grade level.
History - Facilitator: Stacey Morris
K-8 Art CoP (Contact Nichole Shank for scheduled meeting dates, locations and times.)
This CoP will discuss topics together related to the instructional practices of art education in the elementary/middle schools at MVYPS.
Facilitator: Nichole Shank
K-8 Health/Family & Consumer Science CoP (Contact Jane Taylor for scheduled meeting dates, locations and times.)
This CoP will engage in ongoing topics related to instructional practices of health education at the elementary and middle school level. Special focus topics may be on the Michigan Model Curriculum and other related curricula for health education at MVYPS, as well as the new MA Comprehensive Health and PE Frameworks (2023).
Facilitator: Jane Taylor
K-8 Library Science CoP (Contact Caitlyn Clark for scheduled meeting dates, locations and times.)
This CoP will engage in ongoing topics related to supporting library sciences at the elementary and middle school level.
Facilitator: Caitlyn Clark
K-8 School Counselor CoP (Contact Joanie Creato for scheduled meeting dates, locations and times.)
This CoP will engage in ongoing topics related to school counseling at the elementary and middle school level. The K-8 School Counselor CoP meets with community partners and consult with CoP members on student cases. They meet every other month.
Facilitator: Joanie Creato
K-8 Spanish CoP (Contact Theresa Holmes for scheduled meeting dates, locations and times.)
This CoP will engage in ongoing topics related to the instructional practices of Spanish language education at the elementary and middle school level. Initial discussion this year will be focused on the STAMP assessment.
Facilitator: Theresa Holmes
K-12 Performing Arts CoP (Contact Abigail Chandler for scheduled meeting dates, locations and times.)
This CoP will engage in ongoing topics related to supporting the performing arts education at MVYPS, including all levels k-12.
Facilitator: Abigail Chandler
MVRHS Science CoP (Contact Louis Hall for scheduled meeting dates, locations and times.)
This CoP will support the MVRHS science team in coming together to discuss instructional practice, curriculum, and student learning as relevant to high school science.
Facilitator: Louis Hall
Speech & Language Pathologist CoP (Contact Hannah Beford for scheduled meeting dates, locations and times.)
This CoP will support the coming together of SLPs at MVYPS to discuss related topics of practice in the field of Speech and Language pk-12.
Facilitator: Hannah Beford
K-12 Multilingualism and Multiliteracies in Teaching and Learning [2 PDPs]
K-12 Multilingualism and Multiliteracies in Teaching and Learning [2 PDPs]
Who: K-12 multilingualism and multiliteracies teaching and learning for all teachers of the Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools
Who: K-12 multilingualism and multiliteracies teaching and learning for all teachers of the Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools
Purpose: Multiliteracies pedagogies can support multilingual students' deepening of their linguistic resources and/or learning of English as an additional language. These pedagogical practices can support students’ classroom engagement through putting to work ways of knowing like speaking, writing, reading, and representing. In this two-hour workshop, we will explore multiliteracies pedagogies and consider their possibilities for teaching languages and literacies in K-12 classrooms as we build on students’ cultural and linguistic experiences and collaborate with their families and communities. These pedagogical practices contribute to students’ meaning making and understanding.
Time: 1:00 -3:00 pm
Facilitators: Dr. Maria José Botelho
Location: Zoom link will be provided day of to those who registration.
Registration Required: Please complete the form by March 10th [Link Here].
Contact Leah Palmer with questions.
MVYPS focus area(s):
A System-Wide Commitment to Our Children
Emphasis on Teaching Models That Better Support All Learners
A Commitment to Nurturing the Culture Within Our Schools
Focus on Strategies to Improve School Climate
Who: ALL MVYPS staff
Who: ALL MVYPS staff
Purpose: Join NAFSCE and ParentPowered on March 12 at 1 PM ET for an interactive webinar on transforming school-to-home communication into meaningful, two-way collaboration. Learn practical, strength-based strategies to ensure communication is accessible, equitable, and sustainable—helping families feel heard, valued, and engaged as true partners in their children's education.
Objectives:
Participants come away with:
An understanding of the conditions necessary for strong communication between home and school.
Strategies for ensuring communication is accessible, equitable and strength based.
Tips for creating strong and sustained communication habits.
Ways to repair communication when things don't go as planned.
Time: 1 pm
Facilitators: Jessica Webster (Senior Family Engagement Specialist, MAEC) and Rebecca Honig (Chief Content and Curriculum Officer, Parent Powered)
Location: Zoom (register below to get the link)
Registration Required: Register now and gain insights on fostering effective, ongoing dialogue between schools and families.
MVYPS focus area(s):
A System-Wide Commitment to Our Children
Emphasis on Physical and Emotional Welfare of Our Students
A Commitment to Nurturing the Culture Within Our Schools
Focus on Strategies to Improve School Climate
A Commitment to a Strong School Community Approach
Emphasis on Increasing Family Engagement
Know Your Rights Training for Educators (K-12) [1 PDPs]
Know Your Rights Training for Educators (K-12) [1 PDPs]
Who: Available to all MVYPS Staff
Who: Available to all MVYPS Staff
Purpose: To learn about the rights of immigrant students in our public schools.
Objectives:
Consider the experiences of immigrant students and their families.
Understand immigrant student stressors possibly impacting student performance.
Familiarize yourself with Know Your Rights and Family Preparedness materials.
Time: Any time during the PD day
Facilitators: MIRA Coalition, MIRA is New England's largest coalition advocating for the rights and integration of immigrants and refugees, https://miracoalition.org/
Location: Recorded Webinar will be sent to you once you register.
Registration Required: Register Here
Contact Leah Palmer with questions.
MVYPS focus area(s):
A System-Wide Commitment to Our Children
Emphasis on Physical and Emotional Welfare of Our Students
A Commitment to Nurturing the Culture Within Our Schools
Emphasis on Physical and Emotional Welfare of Our Staff
Emphasis on Relationships and Themes of Care
Focus on Strategies to Improve School Climate
A Commitment to a Strong School Community Approach
Emphasis on Increasing Family Engagement
Explore Programs That Increase Support of Our Community
Introduction to Collaborative Problem Solving [2 PDPs upon completion]
Who: All MVYPS educators and staff interested in learning the foundations and theory behind Collaborative Problem Solving*.
Time: Self-directed, self-paced virtual learning series
Purpose: MVYPS has worked with Think:Kids to provide MVYPS educators and staff free access to this learning module.
This 2-hour, self-paced course introduces the basic principles of Collaborative Problem Solving, an innovative, trauma-informed, and evidence-based approach to understanding and helping kids and adults with behavioral challenges. The principles of Collaborative Problem Solving® will be discussed, while outlining how the approach is uniquely suited to the needs of today's educators and students. The CPS approach aligns with CASEL's 5 core competencies, integrates with MTSS frameworks, PBIS, and restorative practices, is evidence-based, neurobiologically and trauma-informed, and child and family-centered.
Participants learn a more empathic and accurate understanding of what causes unmet expectations and challenging behavior and are exposed to an overview of the three key components of the approach. These courses lay the foundation for attending Essential Foundation in Collaborative Problem Solving (Level 1)
Objectives:
Understand what really causes challenging behavior or unmet expectations in others.
Discover the limitations of motivational approaches as a solution to unwanted behavior.
Learn three ways to respond to unwanted behavior and the best times to use them.
See how the approach can positively change interactions and outcomes with youth and adults.
Location: A link to the learning platform will be provided upon registration. Please register here by 3/11 to receive access.
Contact Hope MacLeod with questions.
Focus Area(s):
Bucket 1- A System-wide Commitment to Our Children >
Emphasis on teaching models
Emphasis on physical and emotional welfare of our students
Prioritize alternative approaches to discipline
Bucket 2- A Commitment to Nurturing the Culture within Our Schools >
Emphasis on relationships and themes of care
Strategies to improve school climate
*Note: This course is not for those educators who have been trained in Level 1 or Level 2 CPS Practices. This course is for those educators/staff who are curious about CPS and want to develop a foundational understanding for the practice.
Introduction to Everyday Speech (SEL Curriculum) [2 PDPs]
Who: Open to all MVYPS educators (k-12) and specialists
Time: Self-paced, virtual learning
Purpose: MVYPS has purchased a full site license for MVYPS educators to access the Everyday Speech SEL Curriculum. In October 2023, on-boarding support from Everyday Speech was provided to MVYPS staff interested in previewing/using the curriculum in their classes. This opportunity is again available to interested educators who would like a license to the program, to view the pre-recorded onboarding session, and to explore the grade-level curriculum.
In order to access a site license, please contact Kim Garrison requesting an account. The pre-recorded onboarding sessions will be sent to you once you have an account. You can also access the MVYPS Everyday Speech PD Guide here. This will help you to engage in self-directed professional development for using Everyday Speech's SEL Curriculum.
Those individuals who completed the on-boarding PD, or who have been collaborating as a team in using Everyday Speech may want to meet and discuss its use, implementation, and or collaborate on scope and sequence.
Location: Virtual (and in-person as self-directed)
Contact Kim Garrison with questions.
Focus Area(s):
Bucket 1- A System-wide Commitment to Our Children >
Emphasis on teaching models
Emphasis on physical and emotional welfare of our students
Bucket 2- A Commitment to Nurturing the Culture within Our Schools >
Emphasis on relationships and themes of care
Strategies to improve school climate
Rhythm and Movement with Leo Sandoval [1 PDPs]
Rhythm and Movement with Leo Sandoval [1 PDPs]
Who: Available to all MVYPS Staff
Who: Available to all MVYPS Staff
Purpose: Looking for something a bit different to do during the PD day? Join Brazilian tap dancer Leo Sandoval for a workshop about the rhythm your body can make while moving.
Here is some information about Leo:
Objectives:
1. To learn about the history of tap dancing through Leo's sharing of his journey and the history of Tap dancing
2. To move your body and make rhythm
Time: 3-4pm
Facilitators: Leo Sandoval
Location: MVRHS
Registration Required: Please email lpalmer@mvyps.org to register by end of day March 10th.
MVYPS focus area(s):
A Commitment to Nurturing the Culture Within Our Schools
Emphasis on Physical and Emotional Welfare of Our Staff
Focus on Strategies to Improve School Climate
A Commitment to a Strong School Community Approach
Explore Programs That Increase Support of Our Community
Utilizing Everyday Speech to Implement the New MA IEP [1 PDP]
Utilizing Everyday Speech to Implement the New MA IEP [1 PDP]
Purpose: Everyday Speech staff recognize that managing IEPs can be complex, time-consuming, and overwhelming. With the right tools and support, it doesn't have to be! This session will help teachers and support staff utilize the EDS SEL and Social Communication curriculum platform to inform IEP goal writing in the New MA IEP. The webinar will include a walkthrough of videos and materials that can be used with students, as well as data tools to help you create IEP goals and progress monitor those goals alongside our tier 2/3 curriculum. We’ll also share resources you can use right away while implementing the new IEP.
Note: If you do not currently have a MVYPS Everyday Speech account, please contact Kim Garrison before Wednesday, March 12th so that you have access to the platform for this session.
Objectives:
You’ll gain research-backed insights and actionable tools, including:
A walkthrough of how Everyday Speech can support you in reducing prep time while implementing the new MA IEP
A preview of videos and other materials to ensure your students understand the IEP process
Data tools to make IEP goals and progress monitoring simpler and less time-consuming
Time: 3:30 - 4:15 pm
Facilitators: Everyday Speech staff
Location: Zoom (register below to get the link)
Registration Required: Register Here
MVYPS focus area(s):
System-Wide Commitment to Our Children
Emphasis on Teaching Models That Better Support All Learners
Emphasis on Physical and Emotional Welfare of Our Students
A Commitment to Nurturing the Culture Within Our Schools
Focus on Strategies to Improve School Climate – EDSCLS
SEL for All Educators (multiple PD sessions available) [1 PDP each]
SEL for All Educators (multiple PD sessions available) [1 PDP each]
Purpose: March 3rd, 2025 was #SELday. The SELday Summit (virtual) hosted on 3/3/2025 provided sessions to educators across various topics where SEL is relevant. The recordings and slides are available for access asynchronously on this PD day. The #SELday Summit was sponsored by CASEL, Six Seconds, SEL4US, and the Urban Assembly. See topics and access to these webinar recordings below.
Objectives: (vary by session)
Time: Asynchronous (Staff can access at any time.)
Facilitators: Vary by session
Location: SEL Day webinar recordings
Sessions available:
MVYPS focus area(s):
System-Wide Commitment to Our Children
Emphasis on Teaching Models That Better Support All Learners
Emphasis on Physical and Emotional Welfare of Our Students
A Commitment to Nurturing the Culture Within Our Schools
Focus on Strategies to Improve School Climate – EDSCLS
Specialized PD for ESPs/Paraeducators
Specialized PD for ESPs/Paraeducators
Who: All MVYPS Educational Support Professionals (ESPs)
Purpose: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is pleased to share a new and growing set of resources to support the onboarding and continued professional learning for paraeducators across Massachusetts. District administrators, school leaders, and paraeducators are welcome to access and use the first two e-learning modules in a larger series aimed at providing targeted learning and support for paraeducators. Paraeducators across Massachusetts informed the design and directly contributed to these modules.
Objectives: Varies based on module
Time: Asynchronous
Facilitators: MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Location: Click the links to specific topics (available by clicking on the videos on the right-side of the page or by going directly to DESE's webpage)
Registration: No prior registration required
MVYPS focus area(s):
A System-Wide Commitment to Our Children
Emphasis on Teaching Models That Better Support All Learners
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