Brian Cohen
  • Making the Grade Blog
  • About Me
  • Tutoring
  • Press
  • Resources to Share

Professional Development for Us

10/25/2012

1 Comment

 
Anyone who knows me at this point in my teaching career knows that I enjoy opportunities for true professional development, in contrast to those workshops and webinars normally offered by the School District of Philadelphia. I have written in months past about the Math + Science Teacher Forum, the Philadelphia Area Math Teachers' Circle, EdCampPhilly, and more. Just last night a colleague and I hosted our first Reflective Teacher Network where teachers shared actual problems they are having right now and got suggestions from colleagues across the city.

All this begs the question: why do the leadership of the School District, the Union, charter management organizations, and more not listen to what we want? I understand that cash is tight across the city - this is why I do not begrudge those who created narrated webinars to train staff across the city. There is simply not enough money to provide differentiated instruction for all of us. 

So, what's my solution? Let us communicate with each other and share what we want and what we have to offer. I wish a central organization would create a simple, easily-searched database of people and their instructional resources. Imagine if teachers at School A needed to learn about the Understanding By Design model and teachers at School B were able to fulfill that need. Just type in a few search strings and - poof - your screen fills with the contact information and bio of the potential trainer. By no means do I have the necessary knowledge to create this database - but I'm sure someone does. Please step up to the plate and announce yourself so we can get behind you!

If someone downtown would listen to us, maybe we would improve our practice with less money and less worry. Maybe we could call this movement PD4Us - a group of teachers coordinating the offerings of supports across the city for all of us to learn from each other. Wouldn't that be something?
1 Comment
Sunny Bavaro
10/25/2012 10:44:00 am

I love this idea. It might be just the thing that pushes me to finally learn to code. PD4U 4ever.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    I am a math teacher in the New York Department of Education. I infuse technology and real-world problems into my curriculum in order to prepare my students for the future. I would love for people across the country to recognize we teachers can't do it alone. If you don't believe me, come visit my classroom!

    Picture

    Contact Me

    Picture

    Email Updates

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Archives

    March 2022
    September 2021
    August 2021
    September 2020
    August 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.