Lead Lit Topic: Professional Development Tools
Whether you’re looking for something as simple as the perfect icebreaker, or a plan for a full-day in-service session for 100 teachers at many grade levels, this is where we share our tried and trusted tips for successful professional development sessions.
Results
Classrooms as Spaces of Identity Development
“The classroom environment serves as a space for identity development where children learn about their humanity, strengths, and justice,” Erica Buchanan-Rivera writes in her book Identity Affirming Classrooms: Spaces that...
Investing in Our Collective Humanity: Nurturing an Intentional Cultural Life
The African philosophy of Ubuntu teaches us a remarkable lesson: that we are human only through the humanity of others. Ubuntu means I am because you are, or We are...
Putting Together Powerful PD
Early in my teaching career, my dad and I taught in the same school for several years. We were both English teachers, and PLC meetings and faculty meetings were always...
Coaching in Community: Co-Creating Learning Spaces (Part I)
People whose teaching lives have been positively impacted by coaching know that coaching can be transformational. However, the other side of the narrative holds just as much truth: Some teachers...
Read Alouds Aren’t Just for Children
I love to start literacy team meetings with a read aloud. It is typically a picture book, although I sometimes select a poem or an excerpt from a novel I...
Purposefully Plan PD to Support Transformational Change
Life is busy, especially in the midst of a school year. Sometimes the only time an educator sits still is for a professional learning meeting. Although they may be sitting...
Coaching Minute: Encouraging Teacher Leaders
Instructional coach Jonathan Winslow shares how he intentionally uplifts teacher leaders. After a coaching cycle, he embeds a reflection that highlights the learning from the cycle that is then shared...
A PLC Planning Template to Help Focus Work with Teachers
“But what is your goal?” Ann asked after listening to me (Kate) talk for several minutes about ideas for an upcoming PLC with the second-grade team. I had no immediate...
Stay Sharp with Professional Reading
Kate Mills and Tara Barnett share ways to stay sharp with professional reading.
Books for Literacy Leaders
Not long ago, I attended a training that started with a familiar icebreaker. “Go around the room,” the presenter told us, “and say your name, your job title, and something...
Professional Books that Make an Impact
Without taking the time to fine-tune your skills, your efforts will be built on a foundation that is bound to crumble once it is put to the test. —Quincy Jones...
A PLC Idea: Planning Scaffolds for Upcoming Units of Study
As classroom teachers, we loved being thoughtful about the charts we authored with our students. Rather than relying on premade charts, we built the unit as it progressed, relying on...
Professional Learning Accountability Partners
I have a friend Julie. We have known each other for nearly 15 years. We have worked together in two different buildings, collaborating easily together, finding a groove quickly, and...
Five Books to End the Year Coaching Strong
Instructional coaches have many tools in their coaching toolboxes to support teacher learning and reflection: sticky notes, chart paper, anchor charts, conversational protocols, templates, and more. But my favorite coaching...
Mini (But Mighty) Ways to Connect with Teachers
Communication, the human connection, is the key to personal and career success. —Paul J. Meyer Maintaining consistent contact and connection with teachers is essential for a strong relationship between teachers...
It’s Time to Pause: A PD Session to Reconnect with Core Values
Whatever things you go through, you stay true to who you are and your core values. —Sophie Gregoire Trudeau Being called to yet another meeting, with an already full to-do...
Coaching Minute: Be Aware of How Your Presence Affects the Room
In this installment about norms for professional learning, Ruth Ayres shares the importance of being aware of how your presence affects the room.
Coaching Minute: Expect and Accept a Lack of Closure
In this installment about norms for professional learning, Ruth Ayres shares why it is important to expect and accept a lack of closure.
Aiming for a 5 on a Scale of 1–10
To help our schools gather fast, formative data to guide instructional steps, determine which students qualify for intervention services, and meet the requirement of our state's new dyslexia screening law,...
Coaching Minute: What’s Said Here Stays Here; What’s Learned Here Leaves Here
In this installment about norms for professional learning, Ruth Ayres shares the importance of having a place for instructional coaches to learn, as well as process their own situations. The...
Coaching Minute: Be Wholly Present
In this installment about norms for professional learning, Ruth Ayres shares the importance of setting a norm about presence.
