Teaching the Teachers

You’re likely planning for next school year and that planning includes professional learning for staff. Use this framework to support you in creating a learning experience that engages your staff and meets their needs.

Introduced by Jennifer Vanslander in her article “Teaching Teachers” in NAESP’s March/April edition of Principal magazine, the framework is aligned to the principles of adult learning espoused by Malcolm Knowles and includes seven key features:

1. Start with why and include the “what” and “how” as well. “Adult learners need to understand why the topic is important, how it is relevant to their needs, and what they need to know that might be of immediate benefit,” explains Vanslander.
2. Stay focused on a single topic through successive sessions. Staff need 4-8 weeks to learn the content, strategy, practice, and/or new skills, implement, receive feedback, and collect data.
3. Model the expectation. Research is clear about the value of seeing the new learning in practice.
4. Provide opportunities for staff to rehearse the learning during PD time. Give grace as they begin implementation and set expectations for when you want to see implementation. Create opportunities for them to process their experiences navigating using the new learning.
5. Gather implementation data though your walk-throughs and other observations. Adjust your pacing and content as needed.
6. Solicit feedback and input from staff regarding how it’s going.
7. Celebrate the impact of the professional learning when you conclude a learning series.

Read the full article

Access the Iowa Professional Development Model Technical Guide and corresponding tools.