Unlocking Teachers’ Best

  • 2022
  • Teachers
Jen Crickenberger, Curriculum And Instruction Coach

Since we have spent so much time on VC@T, I have a feeling we have dispelled the myth for students that teachers live at school. Students have seen our couches, work stations, kitchens and even the occasional needy cat or dog. Now it’s time to crack the next mystery: What do teachers do on those Professional Development Days when students have a treasured day off?

This year’s PD Day fell on March 18 during which teachers participated in a “Choose Your Own Adventure” style Share Fair based on professional goals they have been actively working on since Term 1. To prepare for this morning of collaboration and idea swapping, teachers worked in teams to research areas of interest from the latest teaching strategies and breakthrough learning platforms to time management. Teachers were able to pick and choose workshops to attend. Our teaching team is a close network with a wealth of knowledge, particularly with engaging students online using a variety of hands-on techniques. We were grateful to be able to spend the morning learning from one another. 

Emma Mason, one of our third grade teachers and Social Studies Coordinator, stated, “I genuinely learned so many easy-to-implement strategies and tools from everyone.  We have a veritable goldmine of expertise in our staff. I would love to learn more from everyone else!”

Afterwards, all teachers attended an eye opening workshop by Anita Churchill on planning for the needs of highly able and gifted learners. We spent time in teams to analyze profiles of gifted learners and discussed ways to best support their specific needs, while avoiding common stereotypes that may result in underachievement among bright students. Anita shared the Hess Cognitive Rigor Matrices for all subject and specialist areas and encouraged teachers to plan for more inclusion and challenge within our lessons. Teachers will continue to collaborate with their grade levels to continue this important work.

Now for what students REALLY want to know--how their favorite teachers blew off some steam and had fun! In the afternoon, once everyone worked on planning or held team meetings, we had a pancake cook-off with a THS twist. Teachers had to make two dolphins out of pancake batter. There were prizes for the teacher who Nailed It- Mr. Husain and then who Failed It- Mr. Michelson. Want to make dolphin pancakes with your own personal touch? The recipe is here

So maybe making pancakes didn’t quite unlock teachers’ best. However, being a part of a teaching community that values what others can offer and being open to learning from each other is the essence of what it means to be a lifelong learner. When it comes to staff development at THS, teachers’ learning experience comes first.

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