Supporting Teachers through

Effective Professional
Development

Zona Karoliussen
 Objective

To analyze the characteristics effective professional

development and develop essential elements of school
professional development.
 Opening Quote

Knitting together the qualities of high-

quality professional learning and evaluating the
results smartly can lead to improved student
learning. (Desimone, 2011, p. 68)
Activity 1: Describe your past
professional development experience.
1. On a sticky notes, write down a few words (both positive or negative)
associated with your past professional development experience. Write one
word for each sticky note.
2. Once finish writing, think about what specific situations/activities that
make you feel that way.
3. Stick the sticky notes to associated positive/negative section of post-it
easel pad paper.
4. Do a Gallery Walk. Quietly read other peoples words. Do you find
commonalities or differences with others?
Share Time
 How are teachers supported through effective
professional development?
Many school districts aiming for inclusion do not provide sufficient professional
development opportunities that focus on individual teachers. Administrators in effective inclusive
schools, however, already know that learner-centered professional development is one of their
primary responsibilities. What does a successful professional development program look like?
Teacher-directed
Collective participation
Active engagement through observation, receiving feedback, or coaching
Teachers are also supported by sufficiently developing job-embedded skills during
professional development, so that the new skills are ready to be implemented afterwards.

McLeskey, J., & Waldron, N. L. (2015). Effective leadership makes schools truly inclusive. Phi Delta Kappan, 96 (5), 68-73.
Viewing Activity: Providing Effective
Professional Development for Educators

1. While watching the video, please take notes of the characteristics of

effective professional development.
2. After the video, you will share your notes with an elbow partner.
Activity 2: Developing an effective
professional development model for the school.

1. You have 20 minutes to complete this activity.

2. Form a group of three or four.
3. Discuss what elements contribute to effective professional development.
4. One Group member will document the discussion on a Google
Document and share it with the presenter.
5. Once time is up, one member from each group will present their ideas.
6. Presenter will share the documents with school administrators for them
to make the final decisions.
Share Time
 Wrap-up

Please share any feedback, questions or concerns about effective

professional development at this time.
 References

McLeskey, J., & Waldron, N. L. (2015). Effective leadership makes schools

truly inclusive. Phi Delta Kappan, 96 (5), 68-73.

Nelson, M. (2015, April 5). Providing effective professional development

for educators. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/mG7fXp5BmOE