Professional Development - January

On January 4^th, the teachers returned from the break to participate in January’s professional development day.  The first couple of hours of the day began with each building analyzing and discussing their student achievement data.  The teachers used what is referred to as the “jigsaw” method to share information.  In this process, small groups of teachers look at the data and make observations.  These groups are then “shuffled” so that each member of the initial group is able to share their finding with 5 other groups.  After a couple of “shuffles”, everyone in the room has heard all observations.  The teachers then were to identify the highlights and concerns that they found in the data and discussions were held in regard to the school improvement plans and what additional work needs to be done to meet the needs of all students.

Following the data discussion, the conversation moved to the building level initiatives.  In the elementary, changes in the reading program were discussed and next steps were identified.  The middle school teachers focused upon new scheduling considerations to allow for additional reading instruction.  At the high school, scheduling and course offerings were discussed at length to find ways to better serve the high school students.  These discussions took place prior to and after a district-wide luncheon for all employees of the district.  Not only was the luncheon the most relaxing part of the day, but it allowed teachers and classified staff members from all buildings to interact with one another and build lines of communication.

The end of the day focused on grade level and subject area meetings focused around the details of reading groups, data, grading, and curriculum.  Mr. Best also met with the math curriculum teams in each building during the day to continue the review of the district scope and sequence of coursework for math instruction and to discuss possible changes in the curriculum over the next few years.

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