Many teachers feel like teacher professional development is a waste. Dan Brown shares the three research-based ways to make teacher PD better. What is more hypocritical than a lecture on differentiated instruction or project based learning? But there is teacher professional development that DOES impact learning in the classroom. Let’s do that. Listen Now.
The best of teaching should not only be used in our classrooms, it should be used to teach teachers! We can improve professional development for teachers but it will mean redefining the traditional “seat time” approach to professional development. It may also mean redefining what we talk about at professional development experiences. Let’s rise to a higher standard and become inspired to be the model leaders this generation of teachers and students needs to improve education around the world.
Essential Questions: Teacher PD Is Still Broken, These 3 Steps Can Fix It
- What are the 3 key aspects of excellent PD according to research?
- How do we improve professional development and make it so it can get approved by regulatory organizations?
- How teachers can take on hybrid roles and become leaders in professional development?
- How can we bring student and school strengths into teacher professional development?
- How we can get to personalized learning plans for teachers?
- How can teachers move from martyrs to models?
Educator Resources from this Episode
- Dan Brown @danbrownteacher
- Dan’s book The Great Expectations School: A Rookie Year in the Blackboard Jungle
- Dan’s organization Educators Rising which works to encourage high school students to pursue a teaching career
- Dan quotes research from www.mitchell20.com
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3 comments
Thanks for reminding us that modeling good teaching is the best way to encourage teachers to use the best teaching practices. This is an outstanding read for those who plan professional learning experiences for teachers. Thank you for sharing!
Hi! Great podcast. I’m in Ontario. We’ve been doing professional growth plans since the 1990’s – meaning we are recognized as professional who can determine our own growth and we’ve been personalizing our own professional learning since that time! We also have a College of Teachers (just like doctors) where we’re recognized as professionals. I’m a big believer in changing the language to change the focus and outcome. As such I like to talk about professional learning vs. PD. Professional Learning reflects the “student-driven” approach we want for our learners. Rather than an event (PD) determined by the district and lead by an expert, professional learning is a process and a habit. I love this definition: Professional Learning is the “…application of an iterative cycle of inquiry that teachers engage in daily, within a collaborative and supportive environment; with the intent to change practice. (Hannay, Wideman & Seller, 2006) Much of what you discuss in the podcast reflects this approach but in order for it to work it has to be wrestled away from the “top”. From that lofty view numbers and data are the most important. As you mention in the podcast, (professional) learning is messy, it isn’t linear and it isn’t a score or number (I might have added that :) Professional learning models the inquiry process (again, the one we want students to use) and it is supported by our PLN and communities (PLC, CoP) and, when done right, even PD. PS: Take a look at the new ISTE Teacher Standards. They talk about Empowered Professionals. Great place to start.
Thanks for sharing! Great resources and thoughts for everyone to read!