A call to action 
compilation post

The Why

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I currently work at a small, private Catholic school where professional development (PD) is offered throughout the year. However, due to the school’s size and its reliance on private funding, the PD sessions tend to be designed with the majority in mind, often overlooking the specific needs of those of us who teach "Specials" courses such as World Language, music, or technology. While the content of these sessions is often interesting, it rarely aligns with the unique challenges or subjects we teach. We attend because it is required, and occasionally, we find small takeaways that we can apply to our own classrooms. However, for the most part, the PD offered is not relevant to our content areas.

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Interestingly, from conversations with friends who work in public schools, it seems that the situation is quite similar there, despite the fact that public schools generally have access to more substantial funding. The core issue appears to lie less in the content of the PD and more in the way it is delivered. Regardless of the content’s relevance, we are still required to participate in these training sessions. However, the delivery model could be significantly improved from the "get and sit" model to a "go and show" model.

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Shifting from the traditional "sit and get" approach to a more dynamic "go and show" model would make a world of difference. In this model, teachers would be active participants in their own learning, engaging with the material in ways that are hands-on and interactive. Even if the topic at hand doesn't directly relate to my subject area, I would find the experience much more enjoyable and worthwhile if I were actively involved in the process and if the presentation was more engaging; and if there was continuing support to implement the strategies learned in the course.

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This highlights the importance of a call to action regarding professional development. Transitioning from the static, often passive PD format to a more engaging professional learning environment—where there is active participation and ongoing support—seems to be the ideal way forward. It’s about moving beyond the status quo to create a more enriching and effective learning experience for educators that ultimately benefits our students.