Professional Development Archive
Teachers in PDU Field Test Share Experiences
More than 100 teachers and Student Services Professionals who are completing Professional Development Units in the field test this year gathered in February to share experiences and offer suggestions for how PDUs should be proposed and completed in the future.
When asked what they had gained from the PDU experience, many expressed an enthusiasm for studying a topic of their choosing or the opportunity to collaborate with peers.
“I like that it forced me to read articles I want to read, but don’t always find time for,” wrote one respondent. “Demonstration – nice to have a strong focus and audience.”
“The studying we did as a collaborative group was powerful because we were all from different schools,” wrote another. “There was synergy in this.”
Barriers that people reported included a lack of time to work on the PDU or challenges in scheduling meetings. Others mentioned changes in their job descriptions or uncertainties about their programs.
Many asked for support as they completed the PDU and more clarification of what is expected in the PDU process. “People were glad we held a meeting to hear more and meet others,” said Connie White, teacher lead on the PDU Work Group.
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Professional Development Unit field test begins
The ProComp Professional Development Unit will be field tested this year by 150 teachers, coaches and student services professionals. The PDU is one of the major salary building blocks in ProComp.
During the field test year, participants can earn four hours of graduate credit paid by the district. This credit may be applied to CDE recertification credit or toward the required 30 credit hours to advance on the traditional salary schedule.
Participating teachers who opt into ProComp may apply the PDU earned this year to a permanent salary increase during 2006-07, following passage of the mill levy election. The PDU increment would be in lieu of the graduate credit.
The field test will also include five teams of reviewers to provide feedback and guidance to the teachers and specialists completing PDUs. Reviewers can be teachers, coaches, student services professionals, teachers of special subjects and administrators.
Educators can earn a PDU by choosing a topic or skill to study, demonstrating it in the classroom or their practice and reflecting on the experience. The PDU is a way to reward teachers for continuing to grow professionally in order to improve student performance.
Fifteen sample PDUs have been developed for teachers, coaches and specialists at elementary, middle and high school levels, including special education teachers, CADD instructors, counselors and psychologists. Teachers and specialists can adapt the sample PDUs or craft their own plan following guidelines set forth in the PDU handbook.
PDU Field Test Information Sessions
Orientation sessions for the PDU Field Test will be offered in all four quadrants:
Tuesday, Sept. 13 – 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
NE Quadrant Office – Bruce Randolph Middle School, 3955 Steele St.
SW Quadrant Office – Sabin Elementary, 3050 S. Vrain St.
Thursday, Sept. 15 - 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
NW Quadrant Office – Ana Maria Sandoval Elementary, 3655 Wyandot
SE Quadrant Office- Lincoln Elementary, 710 S. Pennsylvania St.
For more information, contact Shirley Scott at 720-423-3626 or Shirley_Scott@dpsk12.org