Tuesday, June 3, 2014

The Evolution of Professional Development

Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for creating a place to share our Slice of Life. Read more slices or add you own here.

I am addicted to professional development books.  

I know it is an addiction, or maybe an obsession would be a better word.  I am one of those people who constantly try to get better at what I do.  School ends, and I begin reflecting on what worked, what didn't, and what I want to change.  Reading professional development books sparks change, encourages reflection and is a catalyst for new learning.   As a result, I become a better teacher.

Typically each summer I choose a specific area in which to concentrate.  The summer of 2012 was devoted to how to teach reading without using a basal.  Last summer it was writing.  I cannot yet divulge what this summer will be about - but hopefully I can by next week!

My stack of PD books constantly grows.  Do I read each one from cover to cover? Most of the time, but not always.  I may read bits and pieces or certain chapters with highlighter in hand, notes in the margins, and sticky notes poking out.  There are a few books that I read every summer such as The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller.



Here is my stack of new books to read this summer.  Looking at this stack leaves me with many questions.  What does professional development mean to me?  What does it look like?  How has it changed?



Professional development is important to me as a reflective teacher and learner, and it is becoming more important in teacher evaluations.  Actually defining professional development is more difficult as social connectedness becomes stronger.  Teachers are learning from other teachers via Twitter chats, blogs, and Facebook.  Is this professional development?  Is reading books written by experts in the field professional development?

I recently read a post on Edutopia titled "Professional Development:  More Than Just a Checkbox on a Form."  and written by Tom Whitby.  It discusses the evolution of PD from full day conferences which are paid for by school districts, to do-it-yourself (DIY) PD which many teachers take part in today.  Professional envelopment is rapidly changing.  But are school districts keeping up with the changes?

The post further describes what they call "The Proof of Concept Model."  Basically it suggests that when teachers take part in DIY PD and demonstrate their learning and new knowledge successfully in the classroom, it should count as professional development.  I know I have learned so much by participating in chats, making connections with other educators across the country, and reading PD books. I take this information and use it in my classroom, tweaking it as I go.  Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't.  But it continues to challenge me, and I continue to be a learner and a better teacher.  That is professional development!


"A real-world application of learned PD is far better than a piece of paper verifying seat time in a workshop." -- Tom Whitby

16 comments:

  1. Great books! Perhaps we could do a book club focusing on one of these?

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  2. I have several of those books in my PD library. Others like Notice and Note are ony wish list.

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  3. You really get what PD is all about. Perhaps we should use that model and call it personal professional development. Thanks for sharing those good book titles, too!

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  4. Wow! I love this post, Leigh Anne! I wonder if I might bookmark it for use in one of my online classes?

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  5. Love this reflective post! :) Oh, and Katherine Bomer is my absolute favorite-est ever! You'll love Writing a Life! You should also check out Hidden Gems by Bomer, but maybe wait til next summer...your stack is pretty full as is.

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  6. Great post. PD is such an important part of every teacher's life. Reflecting on what works and what needs to be changed gives us guidance. Although many people dislike PD, I was always on the lookout for ways to improve myself and my classes.

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  7. I'm really interested in reading the Rief book, Leigh Anne, & I think Ramona is, too, plus Tara said above she is interested. What a great stack of titles. I'm impressed, & don't think I would read that many!

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  8. Your reference to the Edutopiaon Professional Development: More Than Just a Checkbox on a From." was great. I too read the post and wondered about the evolution of PD from paid for by school districts to do-it-yourself. MANY of my peers do NOT agree and think it SHOULD be PD by the district. I think that WE, like doctors and lawyers, need to stay up on things ourselves. OTHERWISE, we just become pencil pushers within an administrative perspective!

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  9. What a great stack of books you have to read. I am working on Reading in the Wild. Donalyn's ideas are so practical and actually lead to real results. I am sold!
    I look forward to hearing your reactions and reflections about these books.

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  10. I will echo, great stack! I have some of these books on my reading list this summer as well! I would join a book club this summer!

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  11. I really liked Notice and Note. I have found DIY PD more influential in my teaching than any PD I have paid for.

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  12. Love your reflection on PD and book studies! Once again, I agree with all that you say. (I'm also addicted to PD books. Stacks at home. Stacks at school. But, shhh! Don't tell my husband!) Can't wait for #cyberPD this summer - hopefully one of the books in your stack will be selected to discuss online. I would love for you to join in and participate! It's an amazing experience!

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  13. I just started following your blog and I love it! I just started blogging myself and your blog is an inspiration to me. I look forward to finding out how you like the books you plan on reading. I've read Note and Notice and loved it. I'm curious about Falling in Love with Close Reading. It looks interesting. I will be spending a great deal of time reading your past posts.

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  14. I need to take a pic of my stack - I just saw something on Twitter about #cyberPD?? Did you see that? Maybe Friday when I'm finally done with school! Notice and Note changed our teaching in 4th grade this year. I'm loving Readers Front and Center. I saw your Tweet about reading the Read Write Teach book in July. I hope you guys Tweet so we can follow along! I love how you ask important questions when thinking about PD - I really like what does it mean to me?

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  15. I love this book stack! I want to read form it, too. It is absolutely professional development to read these books. Happy reading!

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