District describes collaborative days, new teacher onboarding and AI training during August professional development

Assistant Superintendent Rhonda Crom told the Port Angeles School Board on Sept. 25 that district collaborative days in August included multiple strands of professional development for principals, new teachers, certificated and classified staff and paraeducators. Crom described three days of principals' training beginning Aug. 11; two days onboarding new teachers; and districtwide sessions on Aug. 25 that introduced the updated Danielson framework and offered training on culturally responsive classrooms, parent and family engagement, and universal design for learning (UDL). The district also piloted food trucks at lunch during districtwide sessions. The board heard that AI training for certificated staff was led by a presenter named Jeff Utek (district spelled as Jeff Utech in one exchange). Crom and board members described sessions showing teachers how to use AI tools for instruction, design AI‑resistant assessment prompts and evaluate student use of AI by focusing on prompts and critical thinking rather than solely on final products. Paraeducators participated in rotating sessions covering academic support, conflict resolution, community engagement with the Lower Elwha Klallam community and de‑escalation training led by a Peninsula Behavioral Health instructor. Crom said the district will consider offering AI and other trainings to classified staff next year. Board members praised the depth of training, noted plans to expand AI training to broader community partners and discussed the role of parents and grandparents in understanding AI; several directors said the district is ahead of many peers in the state in its AI work. The board did not vote on the report; it was presented as part of the district's instructional planning and staff development update.