By the end of the day, teachers go home with a few new tools in their toolbox. It helps teachers a little, but is it enough? Is this the most efficient way to provide professional development? The center for public education has several key findings:
The full report features cited research and makes an excellent argument. Professional development is most effective when it happens in their work environment, and is ongoing. This is one reason why Motivate Youth has a new focus on consulting. We want to train teachers and administrators where they work, integrating our expertise with theirs. Motivate Youth consultants are experts in motivation strategies, but teachers, principals and youth workers are the experts on their schools and their students.
- The largest struggle for teachers is not learning new approaches to teaching but implementing them.
- In order to truly change practices, professional development should occur over time and preferably be ongoing.
- Coaches/mentors are found to be highly effective in helping teachers implement a new skill.
In our effort to help teachers be their best, the professionals at Motivate Youth will act less like professors, and more like coaches. We think it's a strategy that can make lasting change.
Aaron Romens is an education consultant based in Madison, Wisconsin.
