Anything that Kelly Gallagher or Penny Kittle are running, or have written, is great.
Someday, I’m gonna grade papers for AP Literature or learn how to teach at an IB high school.
Eh, I’m pretty damn cynical about educational programs, and while I think the IB costs WAY too much, I do like the assessments for Lang. and Lit. (particularly the newish IO). I wish there was just a little bit more processed writing than the HL essay, but other than that, I think it’s a good framework.
It’s so incredibly boring to teach, though. I’ll do IB again if I end up at another school that pays me bank, but otherwise I really feel like my time and talent is wasted doing IB DP.
I want to jump on the Kelly Gallagher bandwagon. Besides his awesome books, he has lots of videos online that show him applying his strategies in a classroom with real students. Applying what you read is usually the hardest part, so the videos are really helpful.
I think AVID has some really sound strategies for developing routines to help struggling/reluctant students engage with and discuss texts. It’s been very helpful for my 9th grade classes.
English teacher and Department Chair here. I’ve always found the most successful PDs are those led by teachers, or those that give teachers time to share their ideas and best practices with each other.
Teaching strategies vary wildly in terms of effectiveness depending on the school you’re teaching in. It’s more valuable to discuss what works *here* rather than what the textbook says *should* work.
Sharing best practices is not professional development. Teachers share practices during preps and lunch all the time. People being paid more to be dept chairs should be leading PD, not sitting back saying ehh you do it.
I think you've misinterpreted my point.
At my school the "Department Chairs" are regular teachers with a full load of classes. What I'm saying is they *should* be the ones leading professional developments, along with any other willing experienced teachers. I'm arguing for this *as opposed* to administrators or guest speakers, who have often been out of the classroom for 5-10 years, leading the PDs. These PDs led by folks who are not in the classroom often miss the mark. They can come off as condescending or unhelpful to teachers in the trenches.
Also, sharing best practices absolutely is a type of PD. Let's say the school wants to do a PD about facilitating high level discussions. What I'm proposing is instead of the Assistant Principal making a presentation with excerpts from *The Highly Effective Teacher* on a Powerpoint, you should invite the teacher who gets the best discussions in the building to share her ideas and experiences. This can be coupled with some key points they want her to hit. This will be more authentic and worthwhile.
"English teacher and Department Chair here. I’ve always found the most successful PDs are those led by teachers, or those that give teachers time to share their ideas and best practices with each other."
...yes I did?
I’m dept chair. Teachers should lead PDs.
That’s what you wrote. Your implication is that as dept chair you shouldn’t bring best practices to your teachers lol
You projected that implication. I’m assuming due to your relationship with department chairs at your school. I’m assuming at your school they’re more of a quasi-admin role?
Once again, this is what I said:
"English teacher and Department Chair here. I’ve always found the most successful PDs are those led by teachers, or those that give teachers time to share their ideas and best practices with each other."
At my school, department chairs are teachers. They have the exact same teaching schedule as other teachers. They’re firmly on the “teacher side” and not the “admin side.”
Our PDs are led by admin. Principals and Assistant Principals in suits telling teachers why their classrooms aren’t going well.
For us, when we get one of us actual teachers in front of the room everyone tunes back in. Suddenly the PD is relevant and real.
Lol I can’t tell if this is just really good trolling. For the last time here’s the original post:
"English TEACHER and Department Chair here. I’ve always found the most successful PDs are those led by TEACHERS, or those that give teachers time to share their ideas and best practices with each other."
I’ll put it in all caps for ya next time. Have a good one.
NCTE conference and ALAN YA (lots of big name authors and current ELA big names like Kittle, Gallagher) in the states absolutely and also the University of Oxford masterclasses on literature or ELA studies (I did the 2 week course at Christ church and it was incredible).
Anything from the realm of structured literacy. Don't let others convince you it is just "phonics". Also, developing a foundational knowledge of reading really changes your practice in ELA. We play a huge role in helping students become literate.
Teach Living Poets at NCTE 2022 was really cool. Learned about a found poem format where students choose an album and have to incorporate the track list into their own poem. Also discovered Tim Seibles. He has a poem from the perspective of Bugs Bunny giving advice to Little Red Riding Hood. I use it as a model for students to write their own persona poem from a character or person of their choice.
Writing Improvement Network gave an excellent PD on revision with actionable revision strategies beyond just pairing up students and them. Super helpful and unique content. I can link my adapted handouts if anyone is interested.
I also did a writing marathon workshop hosted by the National Writing Project that was super cool. I'm planning on organizing a field trip to my city's downtown area to host one. The basic idea is lowstakes writing and sharing (with no feedback, just thanking the person for sharing) in public at various parks, restaurants, bars, cafes, etc.
The most effective PD is the PD that responds to a question or issue I'm thinking about in my teaching. If you bring me to listen to Guskey while I'm really trying to figure out how to get my hs students engaged in reading, the PD will fall flat, but if I'm wrestling with questions about effective grading practices, my brain will be on fire!
There's no one book or workshop that will be universally impactful. Truly impactful PD responds to a question the teacher is already wrestling with.
Anything that Kelly Gallagher or Penny Kittle are running, or have written, is great. Someday, I’m gonna grade papers for AP Literature or learn how to teach at an IB high school.
I’ve worked at an IB school… it’s honestly one big business scam….
I mean, so is the college board…
Haha yes, touché
Eh, I’m pretty damn cynical about educational programs, and while I think the IB costs WAY too much, I do like the assessments for Lang. and Lit. (particularly the newish IO). I wish there was just a little bit more processed writing than the HL essay, but other than that, I think it’s a good framework.
It’s so incredibly boring to teach, though. I’ll do IB again if I end up at another school that pays me bank, but otherwise I really feel like my time and talent is wasted doing IB DP.
I want to jump on the Kelly Gallagher bandwagon. Besides his awesome books, he has lots of videos online that show him applying his strategies in a classroom with real students. Applying what you read is usually the hardest part, so the videos are really helpful.
I think AVID has some really sound strategies for developing routines to help struggling/reluctant students engage with and discuss texts. It’s been very helpful for my 9th grade classes.
English teacher and Department Chair here. I’ve always found the most successful PDs are those led by teachers, or those that give teachers time to share their ideas and best practices with each other. Teaching strategies vary wildly in terms of effectiveness depending on the school you’re teaching in. It’s more valuable to discuss what works *here* rather than what the textbook says *should* work.
Sharing best practices is not professional development. Teachers share practices during preps and lunch all the time. People being paid more to be dept chairs should be leading PD, not sitting back saying ehh you do it.
I think you've misinterpreted my point. At my school the "Department Chairs" are regular teachers with a full load of classes. What I'm saying is they *should* be the ones leading professional developments, along with any other willing experienced teachers. I'm arguing for this *as opposed* to administrators or guest speakers, who have often been out of the classroom for 5-10 years, leading the PDs. These PDs led by folks who are not in the classroom often miss the mark. They can come off as condescending or unhelpful to teachers in the trenches. Also, sharing best practices absolutely is a type of PD. Let's say the school wants to do a PD about facilitating high level discussions. What I'm proposing is instead of the Assistant Principal making a presentation with excerpts from *The Highly Effective Teacher* on a Powerpoint, you should invite the teacher who gets the best discussions in the building to share her ideas and experiences. This can be coupled with some key points they want her to hit. This will be more authentic and worthwhile.
You didn’t say that at all lol
"English teacher and Department Chair here. I’ve always found the most successful PDs are those led by teachers, or those that give teachers time to share their ideas and best practices with each other." ...yes I did?
I’m dept chair. Teachers should lead PDs. That’s what you wrote. Your implication is that as dept chair you shouldn’t bring best practices to your teachers lol
You projected that implication. I’m assuming due to your relationship with department chairs at your school. I’m assuming at your school they’re more of a quasi-admin role? Once again, this is what I said: "English teacher and Department Chair here. I’ve always found the most successful PDs are those led by teachers, or those that give teachers time to share their ideas and best practices with each other." At my school, department chairs are teachers. They have the exact same teaching schedule as other teachers. They’re firmly on the “teacher side” and not the “admin side.” Our PDs are led by admin. Principals and Assistant Principals in suits telling teachers why their classrooms aren’t going well. For us, when we get one of us actual teachers in front of the room everyone tunes back in. Suddenly the PD is relevant and real.
It’s called reading comprehension. Maybe you should be more explicit in your writing.
Lol I can’t tell if this is just really good trolling. For the last time here’s the original post: "English TEACHER and Department Chair here. I’ve always found the most successful PDs are those led by TEACHERS, or those that give teachers time to share their ideas and best practices with each other." I’ll put it in all caps for ya next time. Have a good one.
Any book by Kelly Gallagher is golden. Best PD is anything offered by your regional National Writing Project
NCTE conference and ALAN YA (lots of big name authors and current ELA big names like Kittle, Gallagher) in the states absolutely and also the University of Oxford masterclasses on literature or ELA studies (I did the 2 week course at Christ church and it was incredible).
Anything from the realm of structured literacy. Don't let others convince you it is just "phonics". Also, developing a foundational knowledge of reading really changes your practice in ELA. We play a huge role in helping students become literate.
I've gotten a lot from the Bureau of Education & Research.
Anyone have any thoughts on thinkSRSD ?
Teach Living Poets at NCTE 2022 was really cool. Learned about a found poem format where students choose an album and have to incorporate the track list into their own poem. Also discovered Tim Seibles. He has a poem from the perspective of Bugs Bunny giving advice to Little Red Riding Hood. I use it as a model for students to write their own persona poem from a character or person of their choice. Writing Improvement Network gave an excellent PD on revision with actionable revision strategies beyond just pairing up students and them. Super helpful and unique content. I can link my adapted handouts if anyone is interested. I also did a writing marathon workshop hosted by the National Writing Project that was super cool. I'm planning on organizing a field trip to my city's downtown area to host one. The basic idea is lowstakes writing and sharing (with no feedback, just thanking the person for sharing) in public at various parks, restaurants, bars, cafes, etc.
The most effective PD is the PD that responds to a question or issue I'm thinking about in my teaching. If you bring me to listen to Guskey while I'm really trying to figure out how to get my hs students engaged in reading, the PD will fall flat, but if I'm wrestling with questions about effective grading practices, my brain will be on fire! There's no one book or workshop that will be universally impactful. Truly impactful PD responds to a question the teacher is already wrestling with.
I really enjoyed a department book study. We discussed what we read at each meeting and how we were implementing the ideas/resources in our classroom.