Professional Development

Helping school staff members fulfill their potential.

As in any enterprise, people are the most important resource in the school. Among the principal's biggest responsibilities is the supervision and development of the professional staff. Fortunately, the Internet contains hundreds of resources to help in these critical tasks. Among the most useful are these:

Concept to Classroom. From WNET, New York's educational television station, this set of free, online workshops covers hot topics on curriculum, instruction and classroom organization and management. The content is excellent, and they are fun to use. Check them out and recommend them to your faculty colleagues.

Professional Development Online. ASCD offers over a dozen on-line training workshops on such vital topics as leadership, parent relationships, systems thinking, technology integration and a host of others. The prices are very reasonable for the quality of the information and learning experience provided.

The National Staff Development Council (NSDC) is the largest non-profit professional association committed to ensuring success for all students through staff development and school improvement. Check out their online resources and other excellent services for principals and other school leaders.

Disney Learning Partnership. This site, from you-know-who, offers teachers who are interested in creative classroom activities the opportunity to receive training, network with one another, and participate in live chats with national educational leaders.

NASSP Online Professional Development. Provided by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, these links and courses allow you to learn at your own pace in your own space.

Apple Learning Interchange. It's not just about computers anymore. ALI offers extensive "units of practice" and a variety of staff development activities and resources focused on improving student learning and achievement.