There are often mixed feelings about professional development for teachers. Every educator understands the value of continued learning. It’s finding the time in already crowded schedules that causes pause. But professional development (PD) can do so much more than sharing ideas for classroom instruction. PD courses empower those who take on the most important role—teacher.
Understanding the impact of professional development for teachers
When teachers participate in a quality professional development program, the impact goes beyond just one classroom. Teachers love to share professional learning with colleagues. Follow-up discussions from PD allow teachers to collaborate with peers and share ideas and strategies, enriching entire departments or buildings with best practices.
The importance of professional development in the classroom
There's no doubt that professional development opportunities for teachers are important. Sessions can motivate and encourage them. When it comes to new initiatives or products, professional development helps teachers be fully equipped to implement programs in their classrooms. When new resources and strategies are used with fidelity, direct results in student data and increased learning will be seen.
How does professional development empower teachers?
Empowerment in the classroom stems from confidence in skills, information, and methodologies. When teachers have sessions that deliver opportunities for learning and reflection, professional and personal goal-setting can occur. A teacher PD session might empower one teacher to create initiatives while another embraces a leadership role for new programs. Maybe teachers simply walk away from PD with a new sense of empowerment with decisions in their own classroom, which ultimately enriches the learning outcomes of their students.
Enhancing elementary math and science teaching
Elementary teachers have to do it all and do it well. While secondary teachers typically have specific content areas of expertise, elementary educators teach all subjects. That's why it's essential to include professional development that elevates lessons across the curriculum. Teachers want to help students construct a rich understanding with full retention.
Professional development for STEM concepts provides a unique opportunity for teachers in a literacy-based landscape to find resources that work for them and their students. PD delivers the latest research on engaging and effective teaching strategies for math and science.
Reducing anxiety and stress in math and science through PD
Teaching the broad scope of concepts required of elementary teachers can be stressful. Understanding the challenges teachers face is critical to providing compelling professional learning experiences. Teachers might even encounter barriers when planning interactive math and science lessons in the elementary classroom.
That's why it's essential to take advantage of PD. Those anxiety-inducing questions and worries fade away when teachers have information and resources.
Planning and resources for a successful PD year
Teachers are professionals who know what’s relevant in their classrooms! Administrators and PD presenters need to survey teachers about what they want to learn or see from the PD program. Teachers want to know how any PD session will benefit their students. They want PD that will carry them through the year, especially for new programs for setup and effective implementation strategies.
Best practices for implementing a professional development program
When it comes to quality professional development in education, there are a few guidelines school leaders can follow to ensure the best experience for teachers:
- Provide the “why” with a clear purpose and outcome.
- Engage teachers with interactive sessions.
- Demonstrate and model strategies, concepts, and product features.
- Provide time for reflection.
- Open up discussions.
- Relate information back to the standards.
- Follow up with teachers to discuss challenges and share implementation ideas.
- Give teachers something they can use immediately in their classroom.
Maximizing the benefits of professional development for long-term success
Professional development allows teachers to collaborate with one another and learn from experts. It's also a way for administrators to support their teachers. While PD should provide opportunities for teachers to gain knowledge and strengthen skills, the endgame is always better student outcomes.
ExploreLearning professional development courses empower teachers by setting up our products, strengthening pedagogy, and driving instructional change. Take a look.
What about offering your students new ways to investigate STEM concepts? Free trials are waiting just for you.
