There are many opportunities for Professional Development in SD64, including individual, school, and district activities. Professional Development is coordinated by a committee: an elected Professional Development Chair, an elected Fund Administrator and representatives from each school. The committee is responsible for setting policy, informing members of opportunities within our district, and planning the District Professional Development Day. We have five Professional Development Days assigned in our calendar: three school-based days, one provincial day, and the District Professional Development Day.

Personal PD funds can be used for all sorts of professional development opportunities such as workshops, conferences, and courses. They can also be used for professional resources (up to $375 of the year allotment). A helpful guideline to consider if your PD funds are appropriate for a resource is if it is focused on “how" you are teaching rather than “what to do for/with students”. Resources such as a collection of lesson plans or a novel study package could be considered school or district resources and should use school or district funds to purchase. Professional resources are more theoretical or involving theory and application to the classroom. One question you might ask is how is this resource helping me with the art and craft of my teaching practice (not just what to do in the classroom)?

To apply for Pro-D funds, follow the steps below:

1. Fill in the application form, including the ‘Estimated Expenses’ column, and send it to the Pro-D Fund Administrator via school mail, fax or email. Send the form at least two weeks before the event. The application form will be signed and sent back to you.

2. Apply for TTOC coverage if needed. To do so, fill out a Leave of Absence form, noting the Pro-D event you wish to attend (be specific!). Get the signatures of an administrator in your school and the Pro-D fund administrator before you send the form to the school board office.

3. After the event, complete the ‘Actual Amount’ column on the original form and return, original receipts attached, to the Pro-D Fund Administrator in hard copy via school mail. (Our auditor requires a hard copy.) Please note the expense overview that is provided at the bottom of the form.