From Harford County Public Schools:
Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) is set to launch its first Professional Learning Conference, to be held on November 24 and 25 in various HCPS locations. All teachers, educational evaluators, therapists and other employees covered under the HCEA negotiated agreement will attend both full days of the conference. Other HCPS support staff will attend sessions on one of the two days.
HCPS will welcome university instructors; vendors; and other local, state and national educators to share their knowledge and expertise during the two-day conference. More than 500 interactive presentations have been offered to HCPS employees in an online course catalog. The quantity and quality of the session offerings demonstrates the school system’s commitment to providing valuable professional development. Teachers and support staff were able to design an individualized schedule of sessions during the conference that best aligns with the needs of their students and their professional interests.
This Professional Learning Conference is a groundbreaking endeavor in that it features an exemplary array of in-depth sessions focusing on content, cultural proficiency, innovative uses of technology, and differentiated approaches to instruction for teachers and staff working with students Pre-k through 12th grade.
The keynote sessions are designed to be inspiring, and the workshops and sessions are being presented in a variety of formats to meet the needs of teachers’ learning styles and provide them with a wealth of opportunities for professional networking.
In addition, the various vendor fairs and the Graduate Fair provide added opportunities for teachers to expand their knowledge and expertise.
HCPS is incredibly proud to be at the forefront of nationwide efforts to promote and support teachers and instructional support staff.
Jack Solo says
Does the word FUBAR mean anything to you?
Laughable says
“The quantity and quality of the session offerings demonstrates the school system’s commitment to providing valuable professional development.”…..*snicker*
How about a commitment to honoring contracted steps. Now there’s an idea…..
Mr. Mr. says
Wouldn’t you love to know how much HCPS is paying to bring in all of these presenters and to secure all of the materials for these sessions? When I looked at my wife’s booklet, I said to myself….”Well, there goes next year’s step.”
Pavel314 says
I’ve been working for large organizations for over forty years. From my observation, 99% of these things are the silver bullet de jour, the latest crackpot scheme on how to solve all your problems in one simple presentation. Most people forced to attend such things recognize them as 200 proof BS but watching some crackpot’s powerpoints beats working that day.
Really??? says
Here’s a novel idea……
How about instead of forcing teachers to attend professional development that they have received before (In years past under different names), that you allow them to be the professionals that they are and let them attend conferences and seminars during the course of the school year, that would perhaps be beneficial?
Support Staff at HCPS says
This article is a crock! Support staff are to take 1/2 day attending courses that have NOTHING to do with our jobs, professional development or the betterment of our students! We are forced to attend workshops, not of our choosing, nor are they what we wanted to attend. Talk to any member of HCPS support staff and learn the truth! What a crock of propaganda by HCPS!
PO'd says
The sessions for support staff are not only useless, many of them are downright insulting – Dental Health – really? What, are support staff the British of the school system? I asked my AP if I could skip the sessions and instead go to my home school and accomplish some real work and was told “No.”
I also wonder how much is being spent on these professional development days; particularly as we are not being treated as “professionals.” This county continues to drive its employees away by its shameful treatment and lack of respect.
4 The Children says
But don’t the children benefit when we send them home from school and provide the teachers with this world class training? *wink wink*
Bring the kids into school as done in the past, let the teachers actually teach lessons so it counts as a school day. At least then the year would get over sooner, and HCPS might actually help boost faculty morale for once.
Concerned Teacher says
Based on my past experience, attendance will be taken by the school system and by certain micromanaging building administrators, and teachers who try to avoid this will be docked accordingly.
This would be a fine idea if all the presenters were doing it for free, but that is highly unlikely. The vendors will show up for free because it is their job, but for many of those offering the professional development it is not. In addition, there are production costs involved, etc.
On the other hand, this has got to be better than school-based professional development, which is almost unilaterally useless. Try to enjoy it, HCPS teachers and staff. If you can’t avoid it, make the best of it.
PO'd says
Why can’t we spend these two days accomplishing something that directly benefits the students? “Professional Development” sessions too often fail to offer any true new information. Having been a ParaEducator for over 9 years I don’t need to learn about students with ADHD, classroom management, de-escalation strategies – at this point I have learned all this on-the-job.
My time would be so much better spent at my home school working with my department as well as the teachers I support. But not to worry, we can try to get everything done during the school days when students are there. Great time management HCPS.
Frustrated Teacher says
As I entered my location for the conference today, I was really looking forward to it. We weren’t supposed to sign up for classes, just a building. So, when we got here early, most of the classes were full. Way to go HCPS!
Speedy Meedy says
Just a waste of time for goofballs to show school employee their pre programmed projector presentated pyramid scheme fluff.
Happy Teacher says
I had a wonderful time at professional development. I had the opportunity to choose relevant sessions that met my needs as a teacher. I applaud the effort that went into putting this together. Some people will always find something about which to complain. If you faced parking issues, then get there early. If you were closed out of a session, you could find another one. I think HCPS did a fine job in putting this together,
Happy Teacher says
This was a way for the county to provide choice! If you didn’t have a great experience, make suggestions, but I for one, was pleased to be treated as a professional.