What is your definition of PD?

Typically, when teachers think of professional development they get a picture of a beginning of the year in-service with their entire staff listening to a new testing requirement or learning about the latest (fill in the content area) program…

What about the classroom-style sessions where teachers sit and jot down notes about the coolest new gizmo, gadget or software suite their school has adopted?

These are sometimes useful, but are they truly PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT or are they training, or worse, one-sided presentations?

Here is some food for thought:

Recently, I traveled to the Bush for 3 days of one-on-one time with teachers. The Yupiit School District allowed me total access to the wonderful communities of Akiak, Akiachuk, and some contact with Tuluksak teachers. The concept was simple: I would stay up to the wee hours of the morning talking to teachers, offering suggestions, and learning their resources, and demonstrating tools applicable to their environments. I had a blast and I think a few of the teachers I worked with got a lot out of it.

If you are interested in this idea or just want to talk to a consultant about the possibilities and offerings available to you, please contact us. You can find out more about our courses here and don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook!!

Samuel Bourgeois

Sam has been a certified teacher for six years, four of which he worked in the Southwest Region School District where he was honored as Teacher of the Year. Sam has positioned himself over the years in various classrooms and through a variety of subject areas as a general technology expert. As a full time teacher in Togiak, AK Sam challenged students with multimedia assignments, multi-genre projects, and culturally infused technology-enhanced instruction. Teaching in the ‘Bush’ has convinced Sam that any divide, whether cultural or geographic, can be bridged through technology. As the Educational Technology Coordinator for the Lower Yukon School District, he is an Office and iLife/iWork expert, skilled content and curriculum developer, and dedicated researcher.

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