On Friday, October 26th, we will be participating in a full day of professional development for teachers. Much to the disappointment of some, this day has been scheduled with activities that we are required to complete. As you know, state law requires that all teachers receive 4 hours of training in the new educator evaluation system. In addition, we have made a commitment to the NEASC Steering Committee that we would dedicate time to NEASC committee meetings.
Our data team has been meeting on a regular basis with the goal of bringing data discussions to the entire faculty. As a public school in Massachusetts, and as a school interested in continuous improvement, we are obligated to participate in data driven decision making activities. That said, as a follow-up to our consensogram activity, we will be opening our professional development day on October 26th with a data activity.
I know that many of you have expressed a concern that the faculty does not have enough input into our professional development activities. I hear you and understand your concern. To try to solve that problem, a Professional Development Committee has been established that would give interested parties the opportunity to shape our professional development offerings. I will admit that, to date, the response has been underwhelming! So, not to be deterred from the goal, I will try something else...Prior to our next scheduled professional development day on December 14th, I will hold a "virtual" PD meeting where interested staff members will have the opportunity to contribute their thoughts and ideas without having to attend another meeting.
The NEASC Steering Committee continues to make progress. The faculty will vote on Student Services, School Atmosphere, Math and History reports on Friday morning. You are asked to remember that reports will start to become due in an accelerated fashion. Talk to your Steering Committee Liaisons on Friday and ask for help as needed to meet the published schedule.
Professional Development Day
October 26, 2012
7:40 - Faculty meeting
Vote on NEASC reports
Data activity
8:30 - Evaluation Training for all teachers in the Cafeteria
11:30 - Lunch
12:30 - NEASC content area meetings
All teachers that teach math will meet in Room 207
See your Chairperson for location
1:30 - NEASC general committee meetings
HVAC and Culinary will stay in their content area meetings
See your Chairperson for location
