Does professional learning add to workloads, or does it empower teachers and school leaders to be valued, autonomous professionals?

Does professional learning add to workloads, or does it empower teachers and school leaders to be valued, autonomous professionals?

 

Reading, watching and listening to a variety of media, it is evident to us  that teachers are the education’s first responders. The global COVOD-19 crisis continues to have a critical  impact educator learning in our K-12 system and our provincial educators a stepping forward to make a collaborative difference.

 

In  Learning Forward’s  June article by Elizabeth Foster, Judy Newhouse and Isabel Sawyer, the three writers focused on three critical elements of quality professional learning that can make a difference for educators and students in these critical times. As I read the article, three issues stood out for me.

1. Professional learning must  be focussed for educators so they can address  timely student, community and family needs. These needs  are different than they were a a year ago and might be different next week than they were this week.  These needs are strongly  tied to school, community context.
2. It is evident we must provide the space and time in the work day  for Professional Learning that teachers need. The Professional Learning needs  to be designed in a variety of ways that promote active and variable learning in ways that are easy to access.  
3. As we learn and watch the the seemingly unlimited resources that flood educators’ inboxes and social media platforms , we realize the rapid expansion of learning opportunities can expand learning opportunities but at the same time are overwhelming and at times less than helpful! How do we curate resources that can include Conferences, Webinars, Reading and Tools to make certain they are appropriate and worth educator  time?

In reflection, the  summary sentences in the article reflect  the most important piece  for us here in BC

Let’s focus on building  cultures of trust, collaboration, and vibrant conversations. Let’s give teachers and the educators who support them the space, time and resources to identify and improve their knowledge, skills and understanding for today’s teaching.

 

Does professional learning add to workloads, or does it empower teachers and school leaders to be valued, autonomous professionals equipped to support student learning?

 

Three Lessons Learned about Professional Learning -Learning Forward

https://learningforward.org/2020/07/three-lessons-learned-from-the-pandemic-about-professional-learning/