District 57 outlines professional development rollout tied to reading curriculum

Aaron Wilkins, assistant director for professional learning, briefed the board on March 20 about District 57’s professional learning this year and how it supported implementation of the new reading curriculum in K–5 and middle school.

Why it matters: The district tied concentrated professional learning to curriculum rollout and introduced a content area specialist (CAS) stipend role to build teacher leadership and local capacity for implementation.

What the district told the board: Wilkins described an implementation guide used as a roadmap for teachers, three-trimester expectations for program use, and monthly “cast” meetings that preceded grade-level team meetings so specialists could prepare agenda items. “Implementing new curriculum is not easy,” Wilkins told trustees, adding that the guide was used as a self‑assessment tool and that schools were given additional collaboration time (75–90 minutes per month) for grade-level planning.

Wilkins said the district co-developed the guide in June 2024 and provided a full day of training to content area specialists. He described the CAS role as a stipend position that provides leadership and in‑building coaching. Instructional and technology coaches were credited with streamlining publisher tools and co‑teaching in classrooms during implementation.

Board discussion and next steps: Trustees asked about staff survey alignment and whether the cast structure could be scaled for future curricular reviews such as math; Wilkins and trustees said the model will be used again for math and that more than half of staff had already expressed interest in participating. Leaders said the professional learning committee will continue to refine structures for next year and that focus will remain on job‑embedded learning that directly improves classroom practice.

Ending: The board voiced support and asked staff to report back as the approach is adapted for other curriculum reviews.