I. step back: Stakeholders

These individuals or groups play a critical role in successful PD implementation because they havepersonal and/or professional interest in the outcome.

Questions to consider

1. Who is involved in the participants’ work?

2. Why are they invested in participant improvement?

3. How can they support the participants' learning and development?

transfer tip

Invite participants to identify the stakeholders in their own settings and how they impact the parameters of their work.

What exactly is a "Stakeholder"?

Adapted from The Glossary of Education Reform: Stakeholder

A stakeholder is anyone who is invested in the welfare and success of a organization— such as a school and its students. The "stake" indicates that they are personally, professionally, civically, or financially interested or concerned in the organizational outcome.

Why do Stakeholders matter?

These individuals affect the context in which participants seek to enact their learning. New skills and knowledge learned from PD can be applied more readily when aimed at accomplishing objectives in alignment with shared values of the stakeholders. The support and buy-in of stakeholders is important for effective applications of learning. By considering the shared goals, dynamic relationships, and personal investments of those with a stake in the outcome, the PD design can set learners up for success to put their knowledge into action.

Possible stakeholders

Adapted from The Glossary of Education Reform: Stakeholder
Individuals:

State & district-level administration, organization leaders, organization staff, educators, students, parents, business leaders, community leaders, community members, business leaders, and elected officials—which could include board members, city councilors, and state representatives.

Collective Entities:

Local businesses, organizations, advocacy groups, committees, media outlets, and cultural institutions. Specific groups might be: teacher unions, parent-teacher organizations, and associations representing superintendents, principals, school boards, or teachers in specific academic disciplines.

Pro tip:

Be transparent with participants about the stakeholders involved and how they impact the PD. The more that learners can understand the purpose for their work, the more they can connect it to the learning.

"It's one thing to have an isolated Professional Development day and another to design a learning experience that is integrated into an organization’s' "why," as defined by its various stakeholders."

– District Instructional Coach

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