Listed below are some common professional development topics that are relevant for most teachers:
- Classroom Management: This topic is essential for new and experienced teachers alike. It covers topics such as establishing rules and routines, building positive relationships with students, and handling behaviour effectively.
- Differentiated Instruction: Teachers need to be able to meet the diverse learning needs of their students. Differentiated instruction involves adapting teaching methods and materials to meet the needs of individual students, including those with different learning styles, interests, and abilities.
- Assessment: Teachers need to be proficient in assessing student learning and using data to drive instruction. This includes developing and administering assessments, analyzing assessment results, and using the data to inform instructional decisions.
- Technology Integration: Technology can be a powerful tool for enhancing instruction and engaging students. Professional development in this area can help teachers learn how to integrate technology into their lessons effectively.
- Content-Specific Instruction: Teachers need to be knowledgeable about the content they teach and be able to deliver it effectively. Professional development in this area can focus on specific subject areas such as math, science, language arts and more.
Teachers need to be able to create an inclusive classroom environment that honours and respects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of their students. Professional development in this area can help teachers develop the skills and knowledge they need to create a culturally responsive classroom. Over time it can help educators focus on developing the leadership skills and growth mindset necessary for them to take on leadership roles within their schools or districts.
Online resources
The online resource of ASCD – Differentiated Instruction, Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) offers a variety of resources on differentiated instruction, including articles, books, and professional development opportunities. Another popular website for continuous professional development is Edutopia. This platform provides resources for educators on a variety of topics including a section on differentiated instruction, consisting of articles, videos, and examples of differentiated instruction in action.
A commonly accessed learning portal, known as TeachThought, can also differentiate professional development instruction. A few others include The Teacher Toolkit and ReadWriteThink, also offers articles, tools, and resources to provide practical strategies in the classrooms.
