Teacher Professional Development
Attending professional development training is a requirement for teachers to renew their teaching certificates every five years.
Even though it is still summer break, teachers are already either attending professional development over the summer. Or they are already planning for their professional development in the upcoming year during pre-planning or during the designated district PD Days.
I have noticed a trend in social media posts that are lashing out about trainers or mentors for professional development who have not been in the classroom in recent years.
I can read the frustration and resentment between the lines of these posts and totally understand and respect them.
In fact, much of the overwhelming negativity that comes from teachers I can understand and respect. I get human nature and the life of teaching, no matter what decade we are talking about.
HOWEVER, as some teachers become more and more aggressive about voicing these frustrations, I am compelled to offer a different perspective.
For some teachers, their Ego tells them: “I already know everything I need to know and no one else is going to tell me how to teach.”
For some teachers, their anxiety tells them: “I have so much to do and am barely keeping up with what I already know how to do. I can’t take on another new trick or another new thing on my plate.”
For some teachers, their resentment tells them: “Not many professions require employees to spend their time seeking professional development in order to keep their license and/or credentials, so why should I?’
For some teachers, their anger tells them: “You don’t know me or the kids I teach, so you can’t offer anything that is going to help. You are just wasting my time.”
I could go on, but you get the picture.
So, what could possibly be a perspective that would help allay the negativity that is associated with attending a professional development day/session, especially one led by a teacher who has not been in the classroom in the last several years? (more…)
