Professional development may be more effective with opportunities to observe master teachers in similar roles, engage in collegial coaching, and demonstrate practices. Professional development needs to have an impact on students, teachers, curriculum, school policies, or school procedures. Professional development needs to be valued. Professional development requires a desire to learn. Lifelong learners want and need opportunities for continual growth.
Professional development requires prolonged time, practice, feedback, and reflection.
Professional development requires administrative and collegial support and a willingness to experience failure. Professional development has many definitions. There are also multiple terms used in textbooks, journals, and newsletters, such as staff development or inservice. Obviously, the preferred term or phrase is a personal choice, as long as people understand the definition. In our survey of professional development practices, we wanted to make sure that one definition guided the responses.