Reflection of Professional Development Session

EAD-523
Kelley Ouradnik
May 26, 2020
 Summary
The professional development session I created is a continuation of a two-day workshop

the entire school previously attended. It is important to review previous learned strategies/tools

to help incorporate into the classrooms effectively. Marcia Tate – 20 Instruction Strategies that

Engage the Brain was a workshop that every teacher at every grade level could utilize. To

ensure utilization, review of strategies, peer discussion and incorporation into lesson plans are

needed.

The presentation began with stating the objectives and stating the mission and vision

statements of the school as they are the driving force behind all professional development. I also

provided a review of the 20 strategies taught at the workshop. It is important to review

information, but also to allow new teachers on staff to become familiar. There was time to share

success stories and tell fellow teachers about what worked in individual classrooms and there

was also time to collaborate with grade level peers. I added a requirement in the lesson plans

that included a checklist of the 20 strategies and having teachers reflect on what is incorporated

into each lesson. “In this way, regardless of student preferences, there is an activity in the lesson

for every student and instruction can be differentiated based on students’ learning needs” (Tate,

p. 146). This statement and requirement continue to keep our eyes on the target of our mission

and vision statements.

The feedback I received was very positive. My mentor stated that more collaboration

time is beneficial. In my plan, I would have this be a topic at grade level PLC meetings to dive

deeper and become more efficient. I was also given the suggestion to make the font larger and

add graphics to enhance the message. These were easy changes to improve the presentation. My

teaching partner commented that she liked that I did not read off the slides. The information was
to the point, but I did more explaining during the presentation. It was helpful to receive feedback

from the Microsoft Form I created as an evaluation tool to get a feel of how teachers thought

they would implement the information.

School-based Data (COE 1.2)

Gagne's 9 Events of Instruction (2015) was effectively incorporated into the presentation

to enhance student learning. I was able to gain audience’s attention, inform learners of

objectives, encourage recall of prior learning, present incentive and provide guidance to support

interaction. All staff could provide feedback. I will be able to support and assess

implementation and which will increase retention and transfer. 

During the school’s last accreditation review, the school was reported as needing to

improve active learning in the classrooms. This hour-long session will provide staff with another

opportunity to review strategies that incorporate active learning.

School Vision and Mission (COE 1.1)

Mission Statement: Empower individuals to succeed in a changing world. 
Vision Statement: Empower students with enthusiasm for life and learning to maximize their
individual talents and gifts 

Our world, including education, continues to change at a fast rate. It is important to

empower teachers to succeed in classrooms, which in turn will empower students to succeed.

Providing staff an opportunity to revisit information, time to collaborate and incorporate

strategies into classrooms will allow them a greater opportunity for successful execution. This

also allows for a wider range of strategies to meet individual learning needs.

Technology (COE 2.4)

I created a slideshow presentation to provide information to teachers but focused on small

bits of information along with charts and other visuals. This gave them information, but I was
not reading to them. During COVID-19, technology has played a major role in student and

teacher learning. I was able to presentation my presentation in a video format and used an online

reflection tool for quick and easy evaluation. “Most teachers want constructive feedback to get

better, and most find it lacking in the culture of their profession” (Fullan. 2014. p. 75) because of

this, it was important to include this tool into the presentation.

Next Steps
To ensure the skills from the PD are embedded in classroom instruction, I will continue

to view and provide feedback on lesson plans. It is important not to create extra work for

teachers, but the checklist provides an opportunity to be mindful of effective strategies that

support all styles of learners. This will be a topic of discussion at grade-level meetings and

monthly staff meetings where I will ask staff to share success stories. It is important to provide

the time to celebrate accomplishments of lessons and students’ growth.

Emerging Trends and Initiatives (COE 6.3)

In our ever-changing world, it is important to stay knowledgeable with the emerging

trends and initiatives. This is not a one-person job. It is important to rely on your lead teachers

and support staff to help stay abreast. The technology coordinator along with the tech committee

will give recommendations for trainings and updating technology tools. Trends are not always

what teachers are looking for and Matherson & Windle (2017) describe what teachers want in

professional development. Teachers describe they want support to create engaging lesson for

their students, and techniques to deliver lessons usefully. Teachers also want to be able to voice

what PD should be about and have multiple sessions versus a one-time occurrence. Listening to

committee members, teachers and looking at data will allow the school to create PD that is

worthwhile for all teachers.

 Preparation and Confidence (COE 5.2)
To prepare for any professional development, meeting, or presentation it is important that

you are passionate about the topic. Each topic should focus on student achievement and growth

and that is our job as an educator. Believing in the methods, strategies, researched based

information presented will provide the staff with a confidence to take information and apply to

lessons and classroom culture. “Teaching is HEART work”, and this does apply to professional

development. The culture is created from the leaders of a school and it is important to pass the

passion for education and learning from each PD to every classroom, so it has an impact on

students.
 References
Fullan, M. (2014) The principal: Three keys to maximizing impact. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-

Bass. ISBN-13: 9781118575239

Matherson, L., & Windle, T. M. (2017). What Do Teachers Want from Their Professional

Development? Four Emerging Themes. Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin, 83(3), 28–32.

Ullah, H., Rehman, A. U., & Bibi, S. (2015). Gagné’s 9 Events of Instruction - a Time Tested

Way to Improve Teaching. Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal, 65(4), 535–539.