Teacher Professional Learning and Development Presentation for PPTA Curriculum Workshops 2009

Principles for Leading Change Communicate a purpose for change – getting the best outcomes for all of our students Communicate a purpose for change – getting the best outcomes for all of our students Build communities of practice Build communities of practice Change can’t be forced – building relationships is key to the change process Change can’t be forced – building relationships is key to the change process Utilise teachers’ strengths – create and share knowledge Utilise teachers’ strengths – create and share knowledge Keep focus on the goals – review, evaluate Keep focus on the goals – review, evaluate

The Process… Strategies for teacher professional learning mirror the way we could consider students’ learning. Strategies for teacher professional learning mirror the way we could consider students’ learning. Professional development must meet the individual learning needs of the teachers Professional development must meet the individual learning needs of the teachers

Steps in this process are:

Engagement Strategies or activities designed to elicit teachers’ thoughts or actions that relate directly to the objective. Strategies or activities designed to elicit teachers’ thoughts or actions that relate directly to the objective.

Exploration Experiences where teachers’ current understandings and practices are challenged by activities and discussions. Experiences where teachers’ current understandings and practices are challenged by activities and discussions.

Explanation The objective is supported by research that is relevant to the teacher and to their identity both as a teacher and as a person. The objective is supported by research that is relevant to the teacher and to their identity both as a teacher and as a person.

Elaboration Teachers apply the new knowledge and skills in activities in the classroom. Teachers apply the new knowledge and skills in activities in the classroom.

Evaluation Teachers have the opportunity to review the impact of their actions and reflect on their current practice in order to determine their next steps. Teachers have the opportunity to review the impact of their actions and reflect on their current practice in order to determine their next steps.

The Content… Teaching as inquiry – the New Zealand Curriculum 2007 Teaching as inquiry – the New Zealand Curriculum 2007 Implicitly linked to current Assess to Learn focus as well as other initiatives Implicitly linked to current Assess to Learn focus as well as other initiatives Explicitly linked to teachers and their learning area alignment Explicitly linked to teachers and their learning area alignment

Teaching as Inquiry Using diagnostic information to inform subsequent teaching Using diagnostic information to inform subsequent teaching Deciding on strategies for teaching and learning – based on past practice/research Deciding on strategies for teaching and learning – based on past practice/research Evaluating the effectiveness – student data (including achievement data and student voice) Evaluating the effectiveness – student data (including achievement data and student voice)

Related goals for Teacher Professional Learning: Developing Professional Learning communities – within departments and between learning areas Developing Professional Learning communities – within departments and between learning areas Participating in and developing school wide strategies for support of students and teachers Participating in and developing school wide strategies for support of students and teachers

Any Questions?