District reports successful professional development day; grant covered speakers
Summary
District leaders reported a new professional development format attended by about 176 staff with 12 outside speakers; organizers said a UAMS partnership and a grant covered some costs, and staff will survey attendees for follow-up planning.
Academic leaders reviewed a professional development (PD) model that let teachers choose sessions from roughly 10 offerings tailored to classroom needs. The PD included sessions on behavior strategies, executive function, youth mental health first aid, dyslexia intervention and brain hacks for anxiety.
Paula said the district had "about 176 participants and then 12 different speakers," and that UAMS and a named partner covered speaker costs through a grant, minimizing district expense. Organizers provided flexible session choices and an anonymous survey to collect candid feedback for next-year planning.
Why it matters: Teacher PD affects classroom practice and student outcomes; the district's approach emphasized choice, practical classroom tools and external expert partners while keeping costs low.
What's next: Staff will analyze survey results and plan PD offerings for the coming year.
