Staff Development

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that certificated staff members have opportunities to learn both from outside sources and from each other. These opportunities may include, but are not limited to: - Visits to other classrooms and other schools to observe and analyze teaching - Attendance at professional education conferences or committee meetings - Classes/workshops offered by the district, county office of education, state projects, private organizations, or other appropriate agencies - Courses in regionally accredited institutions of higher education, including courses delivered through online technologies - Participation in professional development networks that promote inquiry and allow staff to analyze and evaluate each other's work - Peer conferences and/or joint staff preparation time - Participation in curriculum development projects - Participation in educational research or innovation efforts - Assistance from or service as a mentor teacher or consulting teacher - Service in a leadership role in a professional organization - Discussions and/or internships with business and community agencies for the purpose of identifying the skills, knowledge, and aptitudes necessary for specific career paths and developing meaningful career-related, work-based learning experiences - Travel, study, and research in subject-matter content and effective educational practices - Follow-up activities that help staff to implement newly acquired skills The Superintendent or designee shall approve the participation of individual staff members in district-provided or external staff development activities which may require release time or other district resources.