{"id":43443,"date":"2023-07-17T10:51:18","date_gmt":"2023-07-17T15:51:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/?p=43443"},"modified":"2023-11-02T10:35:03","modified_gmt":"2023-11-02T15:35:03","slug":"how-does-professional-development-improve-teaching","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/blog\/insights\/how-does-professional-development-improve-teaching\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does Professional Development Improve Teaching?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Professional development (PD) is acquiring new instructional and leadership techniques through continuing education and career training. Teachers take up professional development to refine their practice and widen their understanding of educational matters as educators.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/simplek12.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Continual professional development<\/a> is vital for teacher success in the educational field. Through professional development, teachers acquire skills and certifications that place them in a better position for promotive roles and increased salaries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This article will reveal the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">importance of professional development for teaching<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and how educators can use PD to improve their teaching.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-43539\" src=\"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/media\/why-does-professional-development-improve-teaching.jpg\" alt=\"why does professional development improve teaching.\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>Professional Development &amp; Teaching<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Investing in yourself is the best way to ensure your student&#8217;s career and academic growth\u2013 especially fostering student achievement. Teacher <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">professional development <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">focuses on improving instructional methods for teachers and improving learner performance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Educators may experience bumps, especially in their first year of teaching. Professional development allows teachers to prepare and address the challenges that might arise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking up a professional development course expands your skill set and builds your &#8220;teacher toolkit,&#8221; so you have all you need to start your career strong.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Through <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplek12.com\/professional-development\/ideas-and-activities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">teacher professional development,<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you can expect the following outcomes:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expansion of your knowledge base<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Confidence boost<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Networking opportunities<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A better understanding of your goals and enhanced ability to realize them.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Ways Professional Development Improves Teaching<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As an educator, you should bridge the gap between different student learning abilities and paces in the classroom. Professional development helps you acquire individualized learning skills through a teaching strategy that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/education\/news\/why-individual-attention-is-important-for-students-in-classroom\/articleshow\/98167468.cms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">improves learner outcomes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With professional development, your understanding and efficient use of different teaching methods and strategies grows.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You also understand how your students learn, and become better at curriculum instruction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your daily roles in teaching range from student evaluations, lesson preparations, and other involving activities. Professional development will provide valuable strategies to help you communicate, organize, and better plan your daily tasks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Professional Development Objectives<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most teachers take part in some form of professional development annually. Teachers can engage in formal or informal professional development. <\/span><b>Informal professional development <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">includes activities such as; peer learning initiatives, reading a book, or conducting independent research.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Formal professional development activities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Workshops<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Workshops will allow you to improve your critical thinking and problem-solving skills for efficiently completing tasks. In workshops, you will learn diversified teaching strategies, technology integration strategies, and emerging trends in education.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Conferences<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Teacher conferences are meant to enlighten you about current innovations. They also allow you to connect with other teachers outside your school district or state. &#8216;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Teacher seminars<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Seminars are training sessions that will help you become a better teacher in planning your time and being organized. They, therefore, will help you become more efficient, giving you more time to focus on your students and not the paperwork.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Teacher retreats<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Retreats will help you to think intentionally about your teaching processes and their impact on student learning.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are the professional development objectives for educators.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1- Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports or PBIS<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support (PBIS) directs the implementation of evidence-based programs, practices, and strategies for learners&#8217; support. Their goal is to enhance academic performance, minimize problem behaviors, and create a positive school culture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Professional development will guide in effectively using proactive and positive interventions to meet learners&#8217; unmet needs or other problems that interfere with their individual and collective learning.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Professional development training will also guide you into capitalizing on student strengths and achievements by applying these interventions and supports.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2- Response to Intervention or RTI\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Response to intervention involves using targeted teaching to identify and assist children struggling in school.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this response to intervention, students continue to get their core instruction in the collective education classroom. Extra time is allocated to help those who need to catch up with the rest.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The significance of response to intervention is that it is not a wait-and-see approach, as students acquire extra help before they fall far behind their peers and have to repeat a grade.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An essential segment of response to intervention is progress measurement, which helps determine strategies that are not working and ones that can be relied upon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3- Developing analytical skills\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Professional development will enable you to acquire analytical skills. This is the ability to critically analyze information and decide what is significant to a particular task.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Professional development will also guide you toward acquiring other relevant skills, such as research, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The significance of acquiring analytical skills is that you can analyze challenging classroom situations, such as identifying a problem, figuring out the cause, and finding suitable actions to address the situation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4- Training in specialized teaching methods\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a teacher, you need to familiarize yourself with the right strategies and techniques that you can use to make the learning process interesting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Professional development teaches you to integrate such learning techniques, effectively marrying them with the individual learner&#8217;s needs and abilities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, through professional development, you acquire skills to appropriately leverage technology to improve access, participation, and learner engagement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some strategies to guide you into effective teaching:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Developing lesson plans using the multi-scenario approach.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monitoring and verifying learner responses during lessons.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Evaluating and adapting your lessons to learner needs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Engaging peers to review your lesson plans and suggest ideas to enhance instruction.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">File a list of teaching resources, such as lesson plans, syllabi, and professional development.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>5- Leadership skills<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbpts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/NBPTS-Report-Covid_mastercopy_Final-High-Quality.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Board for Professional Teaching Standards<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> asserts, teacher leadership is essential to a teacher&#8217;s job. Teachers act as mentors who coach and communicate expectations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over the years, you\u2019ll gain experience in inspiring learners and others around you, making them feel safe to speak, and challenging them to think. But, professional development sessions can be invaluable in helping you grow these skills.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, through professional development, you learn to embrace your leadership roles, communicate effectively, take initiative, and share your knowledge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Teachers Seek from Professional Development<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For professional development to meet its goal of improving teaching, it must provide what the teacher needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is a common misconception that teaching is easy because teachers are in the classroom for less than eight hours a day and that they have the summers off. On the contrary, teachers invest lots of time and energy which needs to be respected.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teachers won\u2019t hesitate to complete relevant coursework if it&#8217;s significant to their time in the classroom. But, you would love some choice regarding what and when you study.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In teaching, you give your best and perform up to standards. However, your success can be reflected in something other than learner test scores. You can then measure your performance using learner perception surveys and teacher feedback forms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feedback from the students, parents, and your school administration gives you an honest insight into your performance. It will also provide you and the learner with evidence about your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.education.vic.gov.au\/school\/teachers\/teachingresources\/Pages\/default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">current knowledge and skill development<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This guides you into making decisions about the next steps in the learning process. Learners also reflect on their learning processes and strategies to confirm or adjust them to improve learning.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feedback and recognition of your input will also motivate you as a teacher.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ultimately, it will help you understand what works and what does not.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-43540\" src=\"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/media\/how-students-benefit-from-better-teachers.jpg\" alt=\"how students benefit from better teachers.\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>How Students Benefit from Better Teachers<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most significant impact of your professional development process is that it influences student learning. With the continuous change in educational technology, curriculum standards, and school district requirements, professional development creates an avenue for you to keep up with these trends.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Professional development transforms you into a better teacher by guiding you into creating learning materials and curriculum instructions that are carefully adapted for today&#8217;s learners.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the U.S. Department of Education&#8217;s Institute of Education Sciences, student achievement can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ies.ed.gov\/ncee\/edlabs\/regions\/southwest\/pdf\/rel_2007033_sum.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">grow by as much as 21 percentile points<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> when teachers participate in well-curated professional development programs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Investing in yourself as an educator is also investing in your students.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some ways in which teacher professional development benefits students:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Improves Student Engagement<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your professional development can improve learner enthusiasm for learning. Their enthusiasm for learning enhances their acquisition of new knowledge and skills. Some of the ways you can improve learner engagement are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Setting clear goals- Your learners will perform better knowing exactly what is expected. Professional development teaches you how to set and communicate explicit learning goals in a manner that learners can relate to. This captures their attention and interest in the learning process right from the beginning.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enhancing student convenience to learning- in recent times, keeping learners engaged and motivated is necessary for learning. Convenience in learning ensures that learners can access learning materials and content anywhere, anytime. Access on portable devices, both online and offline, improves access and hence the convenience of learning.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Allows More Individual Instruction<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Individual instruction allows learners to learn at their own pace with your guidance as an educator. The learners still work towards complex learning outcomes. You must provide your learners with ways to show their acquisition of positive learning outcomes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can ensure successful individualized instruction through the following:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Know your learners- Understand what makes a learner unique. Identify your learners&#8217; individual strengths and intellectual capabilities. These will guide you into using appropriate innovative strategies to meet their needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Guide learners in setting individual goals- Your learners should have measurable and realistic goals. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.air.org\/resource\/brief\/student-goal-setting-evidence-based-practice\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American Institute for Research<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> opines that individual goal setting gives students a sense of direction and purpose which can help build their intrinsic motivation.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applying optimal instructional approaches for every learning style- Although there is no one-size-fits-all approach to individual learner instruction, you can choose a suitable approach based on the learner&#8217;s age, class size, interests, and abilities. But you can also intertwine components from various instructional approaches.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leverage technology to improve individualized instruction-You can use assistive technology to help meet your student&#8217;s learning needs. You can apply more engaging and relevant, personalized learning experiences using technology.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mobile gadgets such as computer programs and tablets allow learners to learn at their pace, efficiently adapting to their ability levels and skill.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Helps Students and Teachers Connect Better<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Professional development will guide you in creating opportunities for collaboration with your learners. When your students learn to connect and collaborate with you and other learners, they appreciate the value of the classroom community.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Such a community helps learners see that all people are important and have something to offer in ensuring the success of all.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With better connections between you and your students, you can expect the following benefits:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A better understanding of your learners.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased learner participation, hence improved performance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Better feeling of appreciation among learners.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learners are more free to express their thoughts inside and outside the classroom.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Presence of a mutually interactive and exciting learning environment.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Continuous Professional Development<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continuous professional development is important because it keeps your skills relevant and your motivation at its peak. It will help you improve your understanding of delivering effective curriculum instruction.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also teaches you how to adapt to the learner&#8217;s changing needs. Continuous professional development provides opportunities for upskilling and self-development.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ongoing professional development will keep you up-to-date on new findings on how children learn, new curriculum resources, and emerging technology strategies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the ever-changing educational needs and learning systems, the best professional development is continuous, collaborative, experiential, and connected to the learners and their cultures.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wondering where to start? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplek12.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Simplek12 offers professional development courses<\/a> for individuals and school districts through flexible classes that will help you succeed in today\u2019s classroom. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplek12.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sign up for free now<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and increase your student success.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Professional development (PD) is acquiring new instructional and leadership techniques through continuing education and career training. Teachers take up professional development to refine their practice and widen their understanding of &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68,"featured_media":43540,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2024-10-24 18:25:49","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43443"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/68"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43443"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43443\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45197,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43443\/revisions\/45197"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43540"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43443"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43443"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43443"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}