About the Webinar:
This presentation demonstrated how to utilize Professional Learning Pathways to attract and retain top talent. It highlighted the importance of making learning personal by offering multiple Pathways to support educators’ professional growth goals. These Pathways encompassed proven strategies that have impacted student achievement and teacher effectiveness in hundreds of classrooms across the state. The session showcased how Pathways are customizable, asynchronous, online, and accessible anytime, anywhere. Attendees learned how Professional Learning Communities can become vibrant hubs of innovation through targeted Pathways.
Pathways to Professional Learning: Meeting the Needs of Life-Long Learners
Presenter:
- Julie Alm, Director of Educator Preparation, Noble Education Initiative
- Leslie Lee, Dean of the College of Education, Miami Regional University
- Lynn Norman-Teck, Executive Director, Florida Charter School Alliance
Date/Time: November 20, 2024
Conference: 2024 FL Charter School Conference
View The Recording:
Session Summary
This presentation, "Pathways to Professional Learning: Meeting the Needs of Life-Long Learners," by Julie Alm, Leslie Lee, and Lynn Norman-Teck, emphasizes the importance of providing multiple pathways for educators' professional growth. The session begins by acknowledging the obstacles teachers face in pursuing professional development, such as time constraints and ineffective, teacher-centered learning.
The presenters highlight the value of collaborative learning, particularly through Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and instructional rounds. They stress the importance of teacher buy-in, diverse teams, and continuous improvement cycles in making PLCs effective.
The presentation also explores various professional learning formats, including conferences, seminars, and online courses. The speakers emphasize the need for targeted professional development aligned with school goals and teacher needs.
The session introduces the partnership between Noble Education Initiative and the Florida Charter School Alliance, which offers affordable, asynchronous online courses for professional development points and endorsements.
The presentation concludes by highlighting the Master's in Educational Leadership program at Miami Regional University, emphasizing its focus on Florida principal leadership standards and the inclusion of a coaching component for practical application.
Key takeaways for attendees include:
- Prioritize teacher buy-in and collaboration in professional development initiatives.
- Utilize various professional learning formats, including PLCs, conferences, and online courses, to meet the diverse needs of educators.
- Make professional development relevant, accessible, and affordable to encourage participation and maximize impact.
- Seek partnerships and leverage resources to provide a range of professional growth opportunities for educators.