The start of the school year is a great time to take stock of your professional learning practices. Your strategic priorities are in focus and your calendars are set, but have you made sure your professional learning strategies are keeping pace with the latest research and insights? Have you made plans to address schools’ most timely needs?
The Learning Professional staff compiled a list of seven must-read articles to get the most out of your professional learning this school year and beyond.
Professional learning vs. PD: The distinction matters
By Janice Bradley, Cori Groth, Andrea Rorrer, and Leslie Evans
Are the learning opportunities you’re planning for this year professional learning or PD? There’s a difference, and your mindset matters for teachers’ experiences and outcomes.
To make a difference for every student, give every new teacher a mentor
By Sharron Helmke
With teacher shortages on the rise, schools are grappling with how to support large numbers of new teachers to be excellent from day one. Mentoring is key – but it has to be high-quality to make an impact.
Yes, a conference can lead to sustained learning. Here’s how.
By Juliet Correll
Meaningful professional learning is job-embedded and sustained. That doesn’t mean a conference isn’t valuable. It means you have to be intentional about what you do before, during, and after.
How districts and states are addressing teacher turnover
By Lisa Lachlan-Haché, Lois Kimmel, Cheryl Krohn, Dawn Dolby and Tammie Causey-Konaté
Teacher recruitment isn’t the only way to address teacher turnover. Retention is just as important, and professional support is a key strategy for keeping your current workforce strong.
Connecting across grades helps teachers close student learning gaps
Q & A with Andrea Gautney and Nicole Marshall
Math scores are lagging across the U.S., and educators are concerned about catching students up and moving them forward after pandemic-related disruptions. Two veteran math coaches discuss why vertical alignment of instruction across grades is essential, and explain how to do it.
To close learning gaps, address social and emotional skills
By Stephanie Jones and Rebecca Bailey
Student behavior problems and mental health challenges are on the rise, according to teachers and principals. Why, and what can we do about it? Professional learning grounded in social and emotional development can help.
8 dimensions of wellness for educators
By Angel Montoya and Laura Lee Summers
It doesn’t take long for stress and burnout to set in, and it’s better to prevent the problems before they start. Understanding what true wellness looks like can help educators put the right supports in place.
For more insights and advice about high-quality professional learning throughout the school year, read The Learning Professional in print or online with Learning Forward membership.
