How to Engage in Professional Development

A school must be prepared to set aside time for professional development. In addition to time, another essential element is someone who is responsible for organizing, choosing topics, finding resources and generally championing the ongoing professional development. This task might fall to the dean of faculty, the academic dean, or someone else, depending upon what works best and makes the most sense at a school. One way to initiate and sustain an ongoing conversation amongst the faculty to choose several books - depending on the size of the faculty - and have groups of teachers read and discuss each book (see the list of books under Resources).

Professional development can and should happen at different levels and for different audiences. Speakers brought in to talk about bigger picture issues should address the entire faculty. After an initial morning talk, the faculty might break into groups to discuss the topic. One member of each group would then write up the group's thoughts, and the PD leader would put it all together for everyone to read. This could be done in a shared document that faculty members could go in and comment on. The follow up might come during the next faculty meeting.

Some aspects of teaching are best discussed amongst teachers of the same subject. This should happen regularly in department meetings, and is probably best the responsibility of each department head.

Ultimately, professional development should be as individualized as possible. In much the same way that we want to individualize our teaching for each student, professional development should cater to the needs of each teacher. This is particularly important in an area like technology, where teachers have varying levels of knowledge and ability and must gain specific skills.