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Director outlines plan to keep professional learning growing — 200,000+ hours, leadership academy and improved retention
Summary
Tina Smith, director of professional learning, said the district recorded more than 200,000 hours of staff learning in 25–26, reported 13,000+ survey completions with 96% positive metrics, and highlighted retention gains tied to mentoring and targeted pathways.
Tina Smith, the director of professional learning, presented Goal 6 and described last year’s accomplishments and plans for 26–27. She said the district recorded more than 200,000 hours of professional learning in 25–26 and that most instruction is synchronous; staff use survey metrics (with agreement of 96% or higher) to assess relevance and quality.
Smith highlighted retention data: certified new-hire retention for the 25–26 cohort was 88%, with employees promoted from classified roles to certified teaching positions retained at 92%. She said 33% of certified hires came from the classified pipeline and that course offerings increased from 37 to 60 for the semester. Smith also introduced a leadership elevation academy designed for current leaders with rotating content and noted some outside partnerships — including sessions with Austin Peay professors — supplement district-produced content.
Board member Miss Berry asked whether professionals who delivered training were district employees; Smith replied most content is from inside the district, with some sessions provided by Austin Peay faculty. Smith invited questions and closed the presentation; no board action was requested at the study session.
