"Our Best PD Was Teacher-Chosen"
During a focus group at ASCD's 2011 Annual Conference, an Ohio principal reflects on what makes professional development work:
I think that the most beneficial versus least beneficial professional development has been whether it is chosen and directed by teacher choice as opposed to administrative choice. That takes some planning to get teachers together and make those decisions, but teachers should never walk into professional development and not know what it's about. Too often, teachers just know, I have to come in for PD on this day, this the topic, and this is the presenter.
Teachers should have some decision and choice about PD, because then it's going to be more meaningful and they're going to be more committed. They're out there spreading the word, "You've got to come to this because it's going to be