By Jill Nagy
Teachers in the Saratoga Springs School District are going back to school, and so are administrators and non-instructional staff members.
They can attend programs in school, through the internet, or at off-campus locations. Keeping all these things organized is Melissa Drummond-Kerrick, the district coordinator for professional development, aided by a professional development committee and an administrative assistant who “keeps me organized and on time.”.
In the past, professional development activities were provided under the aegis of the Human Resources Department, Drummond-Kerrick noted. But during the almost two years she has been in this new position, far more programs have become available and she has made an effort to coordinate them.
Some of the activity is in response to new state requirements. For example, she explained, every district is required to have a professional learning plan with “a very solid mission, purpose and goals.”
In addition, New York state requires every teacher to complete 100 hours of continuing education during every five-year period. Each Saratoga teachers contract requires six hours per year of professional development programs.
“Much of the programming is tied to changes in curriculum and teaching strategies. When we introduce new technology, for example, we train teachers to use it,” she said. Programs are also tied to the state Every Student Succeeds Act and other statutory directives.
“They’re always throwing something new at teachers,” she said. “How do we support teachers in this unstable environment?”
Programs are also provided for teaching assistants and aides, transportation employees, building and grounds personnel and others. They cover such topics as student safety and student behavior and management, as well as new curriculum and technology.
There are conferences for superintendent’s each year and professional development programs to help staff members meet their requirements. Drummond-Kerrick also seeks out webinars that staff members can take from home. Offerings from colleges and universities and nonprofit organizations also contribute to the mix.
Individual assistance, especially for new teachers, is another aspect of the professional development program. “Professional partners” mentor new teachers. Technology support monitors are also available.
The state Department of Education website is helpful and Twitter has become “a profession hub for sharing new ideas. I learn something new from Twitter every day,” she said.
