You are on page 1of 2

Cologne Academy Professional Development Report Selecting initiatives, designing the implementation, and giving the appropriate amount

of accountability have been the focus of professional development at Cologne Academy the past two years. In previous years the following initiatives have been selected through observations, assessments results, and the Cambridge Review: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Data Driven Instruction Teach Like a Champion Techniques Critical Thinking Strategies Formative Assessment Goal Setting Review of Writing Standards and Grade Level Expectations

No new initiatives have been introduced, but instead a focus on continued implementation of those selected in previous years. Consistent implementation with clear, rigorous expectations is the main focus this year. Therefore, support for each teacher has increased in each area. This happens through all staff Monday morning meetings, after school professional learning communities, and grade level meetings on Thursday mornings. All staff members are also observed approximately once a week and meet once every three weeks with the observer to create a small, easy to meet goals to continue to move toward mastery of the different initiatives mentioned above. Data Driven Instruction Teachers meet together after each interim assessment to debrief on skills students are showing mastery and skills that need further instructions. During this time the teachers brainstorm on possible new ways to teach skills or strategies that all students show growth needs. Teachers also meet with their observer (either the Director or the Academic Specialist) and create instructional goals based on continued student need. Teach Like a Champion At the beginning of the year four all staff meetings were devoted solely to reviewing Teach Like a Champion strategies that were used all year last year. Each trimester there will be at least one further all staff meeting where teachers who attend the continued Teach Like a Champion trainings hosted by friends of Education will share what they learned. Many teacher goals are created based on these techniques as they are clearly identified and quick instructional changes to make.

Critical Thinking, Formative Assessment, Goal Setting, & Writing All teachers attend a PLC based on one of these topics. Teachers voted for the topic they were most interested in at the beginning of the year and were grouped accordingly. In these groups, the teachers meet weekly and during the first trimester researched different strategies to implement them into the classroom. This trimester the teachers will pilot the strategies they have selected in their own classrooms and make any necessary changes. Teachers have responded positively to the opportunities to design implementation in the PLCs and meet weekly with their grade level peers to discuss instructional goals and techniques and to encourage each other. They have also shown appreciation for the weekly observations and tri-weekly coaching meetings. It has quickly become clear that the observations are not a form of evaluating their performance but instead as a way to help them become the teacher they hope to be.

You might also like