Tina Arbitter

Professional Development Review

October 2, 2016
UMU, MAEL Cohort IV
Dr. Capel

Organizational Profile:
The professional development I participated in was located at the Stark County
Educational Service Center, in Canton, Ohio. It took place at this location simply for the
convenience of the presenters. The professional development was to introduce Choice Theory
in the Classroom by William Glasser, M.D.. It was presented to a select group of of employees
from Northside Intermediate School and some administrators.
The profile of Alliance City Schools is found on ODEs 2014-2015 District Report Card
updated on August 21, 2016:
http://reportcard.education.ohio.gov/Archives%20TS/043497/043497/043497_2014-2015_DIST.
pdf
The following information is found there:
Student Population

3,043

Faculty Population

General Education
122.7
Gifted and Talented
2.0
Career-Technical Programs 13.5
Art Education K-8
3.0
Music Education K-8
7.0
Physical Education K-8
6.5
Special Education
40.5

Language

English
ELL

Race

Asian or Pacific Islander

Black, Non-Hispanic
Hispanic
Multiracial
White, Non-Hispanic
Students with Disabilities
Economically Disadvantaged
Limited English Proficiency

16
375
98
397
2,154
540
2,360
14

0.5%
12.3%
3.2%
13.1%
70.8%
17.7%
77.6%
0.5%

Socio-economic status

Economically Disadvantaged

2,360

77.6%

Parent- community
demographics

Urban

99.5%
0.5%

The culture of our school district is a high poverty urban school district where every
student regardless of income receives a free breakfast and lunch.
In order to improve the culture of our district, the Board of Education and administrators have
adopted the following core values:
1. All Students can learn at high levels

Students learn best when inspired to take ownership of their own learning.

It is our responsibility to instill in our students the belief in themselves and a sense of
hope.

2. Teachers/Staff are leaders and designers of engaging work.

3. All people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect

Strong relationships increase student achievement and improve attendance and

discipline.

4. Our students are our primary clients.

We are responsible for the prevention of student failure.

As the DIstrict Leadership Team (DLT) meets monthly, we are focusing on these core

values using the 5-step process in three subgroups: Students, Teachers, and Curriculum.
The professional development we participated in was session one of two. Mr. Talbert,
our Superintendent, believes that in order to inspire students, we need to understand their
quality world. Building relationships and implementing the social justice piece that all schools
need to embrace.

Mechanics and Organization of the Professional Development:

The mechanics of the professional development was well organized. We met in a

conference room with comfortable chairs, technology, snacks, coffee, and water. The
environment was comfortable and inviting.
The presenters were amazing. They were very well prepared for our session. They
intertwined videos, stories, conversations, and embraced personalized open discussion
throughout the professional development. They included motivational quotes, props, laughter,
and powerful empathetic messages. On more than one occasion there were tears within the
group.
I dont believe there was anything more they could have done in order to have a
successful session -w e will continue our second session next Saturday.
The professional development was one of the best that I have been to when I think
about all the ones I have been to previously. I credit the level of interest on my part, the topic,
and the expertise of the presenters.

Describe and analyze:

The presenters opened with introducing themselves and telling us how long they have
been involved with training on Choice Theory. They told us about how they were able to get a
meeting with Mr. Glasser. His schedule was too busy to accommodate them, so he suggested
that if they could give him a ride to the airport, he would be more than happy to answer their
questions. When they finished their story they showed a video on Mr. Glasser who has since
passed away. This was done to personalize the man, his work and how we can embrace his
theories.
Once the introductions were complete, they expressed how we would be having
personal conversations, if you chose to participate, and taking a virtual walk in someone elses
shoes. The main focus of the PD was building quality relationships. They then dove into the five

basic needs of every human: Love and belonging, Power, Fun, Freedom, Survival. Moving
forward, we discussed what was our most important need what was the most important basic
need of the kids in our district.
We discussed the real world, the perceived world, and the quality world and how they
can be very, very different. Teachers, coaches, and staff dont have a real picture of what our
students are dealing with on a daily basis. To treat them all the same is an injustice.
The presenters knew their audience and respected their different positions within the
district. They made each one of us feel comfortable and personalized the PD to be extremely
beneficial and thought provoking. This aligns perfectly with the goals and objectives of the
district and the social justice piece we have embraced.

Facilitation and Delivery

As in the aforementioned, the presenters were very well prepared. We were each given
Dr. Glassers book, Choice Theory, a couple of weeks in advance so we would be familiar with
the contents prior to the professional development.
When the session began, it was obvious the our presenters knew their audience, were
able to connect to adults and very skilled at what they did. They connected with us as adults
with families, teaching experience and/or experience with students in another position within the
school system. They took the stories we told and linked them to the five basic needs, and how
they fulfilled our personal, or student, needs - depending on the story told.
All of the processes they used (laughter, stories, props, videos, conversations, graphs,
and motivational sayings) to deliver a powerful message were skillfully presented and made an
impact on all of us. I was often time reminded of the books we have read thus far. Hacking
Leadership and Nine Minutes on Monday, both talk about how to make connections with your

staff and students. I felt this professional development taught us how to make connections and
build positive relationships.

Follow up:
We were assigned homework at the end of our session. As we will meet next Saturday,
October 8, 2016 for the conclusion of the Choice Theory professional development, I will be
able to reflect further on how it is linked to student outcomes and what the next step will be for
the district. Will this be considered train the trainer and will we take it to the rest of the district,
or will we focus on the one building who is having the most trouble and share what we have
learned? At this point, Im not sure what the decision of the Superintendent is for this social
justice focus.
All I can tell you is that only being half way through the professional development, it has
made an impression on me and I think a little differently when I see kids on a daily basis.
Especially those who are outwardly struggling with behavior, grades, friendships, etc.