Holliston professional development day emphasizes Tier 1 instruction, AI tools and MTSS alignment

Holliston staff used the district's Sept. 12 professional development day to focus on strengthening Tier 1 instruction, aligning MTSS practices and piloting instructional technology, including AI-assisted tools for differentiation.

Administrators and curriculum leaders described a district-wide theme for the year: strengthening Tier 1 instruction. Elementary and middle-school sessions emphasized differentiated small-group math instruction, reading intervention strategies and development of standards-based report cards. Secondary sessions concentrated on assessment design (Understanding by Design) and executive-function skills for students.

Teachers and tech staff demonstrated a selection of AI and ed-tech tools, including Kami and other platforms intended to help teachers quickly create differentiated lessons or provide timely feedback. District staff emphasized guidance to ensure AI is used as a supporting tool for instruction rather than replacing teacher judgment: "These are tools; they don't replace teachers," one administrator told colleagues during the session.

Workshops also addressed multilingual-learner supports; the district has planned a MLL curriculum review and brought in an external consultant to train staff on language-acquisition strategies and assessment data. Nurses, paraprofessionals and special-education staff participated in targeted sessions on medication administration, concussion protocols and AAC assistive devices.

The PD was described as a set of building-aligned activities designed to scaffold ongoing MTSS work and to give teachers practical tools they can use in classrooms this term. The district will continue the MTSS planning process and is scheduling follow-up PD sessions in November for building leaders and teacher teams.

Sources: district PD presentations and administrators' report to the School Committee on Sept. 25.