Re: Moderator's thoughts
Kam Matray (kmatray@nps.navy.mil)
Tue, 25 Mar 1997 11:04:46 -0800
Greetings from Monterey, CA=8A
> In the broader sense, the study of professional development activit=
ies
>of any kind... accepted by the community and teachers themselves, as
>important enough to allot some the traditionally calculated "seat time"
>that forms the basis for teacher salaries, and encouraging more training
>as an integral part of the "profession" of being a teacher. I guess, in
>a nutshell, prof. dev. is NOT a periodic, pull-out, "sit and get"
>situation anymore, dispensing "teacher-proof" packages to take back to
>their classrooms.
Absolutely=8A truely successful PD can not be experienced or provided via
what we call "glitz and blitz" nor "spray and pray" events. Best case, PD
should be an institutionalized and often transparent overlay to what it is
we do every day in our respective work places, our respective learning
places. More importantly PD needs to have relevance. Often when I have
facilitated sessions with staff, it amazes me how many participants can not
articulate why it is that they are there, or worse yet, if it is "because I
was told to come=8A"
And Gwen (Hi, Gwen=8A)-you said "that unless people really believe that
teachers are professionals and treat them as such, nothing much will
change." Would you relate this to the issue of PD? Are you saying that
the cultural shifts of professionalism for teaching will have to take place
before PD in general will have impact? Does this mean that as we stand
now, PD will continue to be hit and miss, outside the workday, without
stipend, no follow-up etc. because we need the professionalism piece to
kick-in? I guess I may be asking a chicken or egg question.
r/Kam
Kam Matray - PI, Virtual Canyon Project
Research & Development Group
Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
Box 1031 * 700 Pacific Street
Monterey, California 93942-1031
voice 408.899.9414 fax 408.899.3224
kmatray@nps.navy.mil
kmatray@monterey.k12.ca.us