Effective+Professional+Development

**What makes a Professional Development effective?**

 * Electronic explanations sent to the teachers during the PD
 * Hands on activities
 * Teachers do the activities during the PD
 * Useful enough to walk into class with it ready to go
 * Examples and visuals ready to show the class
 * Connecting with the teachers in the PD
 * Emphasize the point that teachers will teach differently
 * Give time at the end for teachers to talk to each other
 * Teachers answer “how will this adapt to my classroom?”
 * Additional resources provided
 * Allow choice for varying professional development areas
 * Facilitator honors the audience (not condescending)
 * Also, facilitator doesn’t assume the teachers know all
 * GIVE TEACHERS TIME TO TALK

How do we effectively share our new ideas with our coworkers?

 * Break down ideas with PLCs.
 * Present strategies at Department Meetings - how these "Englishy" strategies fit into your content area.
 * Decide on the "favorite strategies" and use them together as a PLC.
 * Show how the strategies work in the schedule already in place.
 * With team teaching, showing strategies first hand are the best ways to share ideas.
 * Be careful not to FORCE something that should naturally happen (sharing ideas should happen naturally).
 * Keep it simple - don't overwhelm teachers with a lot of new concepts.
 * Sharing is two-sided, start a conversation about what is working and what isn't.
 * Value effective strategies that teachers are already doing.
 * The language should be, "Here's an idea on how to change/modify" - NOT, "Here's a new idea to add."
 * Avoid "targeting" a teacher.
 * Include that social aspect of conversing (hallway talk, copy room discussion, "water cooler chat"!).
 * "I have a copy if you're interested" = non-threatening, natural collaboration
 * Just send an email to the PLC/Department with the handout/activity. Include the line, "Use, abuse, or trash."
 * Invite. Then step back if no acceptance.
 * Starting with something formal (scheduled PLC/planning) can still move into the informal. Start with the scheduled task, and allow conversation that discusses what works in the classroom.