Professional development for teachers encompasses a range of both formal and informal processes that teachers use to improve the skills and knowledge that allow them to teach. In the wake of the No Child Left Behind Act, a number of studies have shown that the more skilled and effective teachers are, the better they are able to teach their students. The best way to improve the effectiveness of teachers in any classroom is through good quality professional development- in fact, teachers who regularly complete professional development programs report that not only do they feel more effective, they also see their students learning experience improve. Schools are noticing as well- the success of school improvement and reform programs is dependent in large part on the presence of highly qualified, effective teachers.
The most profound effect of professional development is increased student achievements. A number of studies have linked professional development to improved student achievement (see Killion, J. (1999). What works in the middle: Results-based staff development), and even a study of a thousand math and science teachers showed similar results. But the studies also show that not all professional development programs are created equal, and not all professional development has to take place in a school. In fact, some of the best professional development for teachers is subject specific, and takes place in a hands on setting that allows teachers to find new learning strategies to incorporate into their daily activities. Professional development should be designed to enhance both content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge, and should be evidence (research) based. Because professional development is aimed at working adults, it should also incorporate the principles of adult learning, and remain focused and relevant. This also means that professional development can’t be simply “lecture based”- it must give teachers chances to discuss, reflect, and follow-up on their experiences in a collaborative environment. While professional development courses aimed at a specific goal are important, there must also be learning that is aimed at continuous improvement. Finally, professional development should be undertaken with the goals of students and the school in mind.
With that being said, there is no one size fits all format for professional development, which is why it is important for teachers to pursue opportunities on their own. While district or school wide opportunities that address general goals and teaching methods are important, it is even more important for teachers to find ways to work with their own needs and strengths to develop effective tools to use in their own classrooms. Luckily, opportunities that teachers can pursue are endless- there are classes and workshops aimed at teachers, as well conferences that are subject or student type specific. Other opportunities are less formal, such as working with a teacher at another school to jointly plan lessons or simply observe their teaching style. If there is a teacher that you greatly respect, peer coaching can keep you motivated and give you new ideas. No matter what method you choose, the important part is that you remain open to expanding your teaching abilities and keeping yourself motivated by learning on your own.
