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Teacher urges district to overhaul professional development to be practical and classroom-focused
Summary
A 20-year district educator told the board current professional development offerings are ineffective for experienced teachers and urged sessions that provide practical lessons and tools teachers can use immediately in class.
During public comment, Jamie Russo — who said she has worked in the district for more than 20 years — sharply criticized the district's professional development program as one-size-fits-all and not useful for experienced teachers. She described a recent session where participants spent time on activities she considered irrelevant to seasoned practitioners.
"Our PDs are supposed to be making us better educators. Instead, I find that they are wasting our time and energy," Russo said, urging the district to offer practical, relevant ideas and tools that teachers can use in the classroom the next day. Several board members and a CSEA representative later echoed concerns about widening PD to support custodial and maintenance staff as well as certificated staff.
