Most school districts support teachers investment in their professional knowledge and skills.
Teachers take advantage of classes sponsored by their districts, work on advanced certificates or degrees, and attend workshops and summer institutes. We do this also in Walpole. However, professional development frequently lacks connections to practice and to high standards of student achievement or teacher development. In order to have impact on student learning, we need to be coordinated and focused and offer many opportunities for teachers to learn by doing and reflecting on practice with their colleagues. By combining college, workshop, and summer work with the ability to create a professional dialogue amongst our practicing professionals, the system can improve student achievement most effectively.