I am a HUGE believer in the power of PD (Professional Development.) You know, constant learning... keeping up with the latest in what is going on educationally. I can say with full confidence that GREAT TEACHERS are Lifelong Learners!
I would suggest that PD by itself is not enough. We can sit through seminars, workshops and classes but until we get a chance to SEE educational techniques working - either in our own classrooms through trying them or seeing other teachers model the techniques - that they all just live in the realm of possibilities. While I liked trying new things in my classroom, I sometimes felt more comfortable seeing someone else do it first.
I found that in a classroom visit, I could see another educational professional in action performing the technique or teaching modality that I was interested in. It was very powerful and I ALWAYS loved visiting other classrooms. Some of my best teaching ideas were ones that I "stole" from watching other teachers!!
Well, Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy, here in Los Angeles, (Hillel, it just so happens, is the school that my son attends :-) is holding a visiting day where they are opening up their classrooms to other teachers! On Monday, May 22nd, if you are a K-8 teacher and can get the time to come, I would highly recommend that you attend. After all, seeing is believing!!
There are limited spaces available and you need to book in order to attend. Here is the agenda for the morning:
- 8:30 a.m. Meet and greet; refreshments
- 9:00 a.m. Classroom visits
- 10:20 a.m. Meet teachers and students
- 10:45 a.m. Visionary leadership panel
- 11:30 a.m. Closing
As always, I solicit your comments on the blogsite.
Yossie
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