Is our professional learning plan right for our teachers?

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Quiz Questions

1.
How ready are you to make some changes in the professional learning opportunities you open up to staff?

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- A.
  
  I'm really ready to make professional learning more meaningful for and with my staff.
- B.
  
  I'm willing to grab a few new ideas, but I think we are doing okay.
- C.
  
  I'm scared to make any changes because I don't want staff to think I am trying to make them do more.
2.
Are the professional learning options meeting the needs of all staff?

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- A.
  
  I hope so.
- B.
  
  You bet! If a staff member requests to attend a workshop or conference, there are no questions asked. I appreciate that staff seek out learning that meets their needs, and we supplement onsite as well. We also have a range of options on-site at school.
- C.
  
  I think so. Some staff members ask to go to workshop, but mostly we all take the same professional learning sessions offered at school.
3.
Is your staff interested in the professional learning opportunities you provide?

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- A.
  
  Absolutely! Staff are authentically engaged in our sessions and I hear great feedback.
- B.
  
  I'm not sure. I don't get any feedback.
- C.
  
  I think so! I hear a few teachers talking about what they are bringing into their classrooms, but it's usually only the same few teachers.
4.
How do you know that your staff finds value in the professional learning offerings at your school?

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- A.
  
  Teachers often talk about what they are learning, implement new things in their classrooms, and then reflect later with colleagues. It's part of our culture.
- B.
  
  Hm. I'm not sure. I don't ever hear from teachers about what we are doing.
- C.
  
  I see some teachers try new strategies when I observe classes.
5.
Does your staff have choice in professional learning opportunities?
- A.
  
  Not really. We all participate in the same learning at our faculty meetings.
- B.
  
  Yes. Staff have PLCs based on professional interest groups, and can choose seminars and conferences of interest to attend.
- C.
  
  Sometimes. Staff are all on committees, but they are aligned to the school's plan and vision.
6.
Does staff have input in planning professional learning options?
- A.
  
  No. It's all decided ahead of time.
- B.
  
  We have to plan some things without input, but we ask for ideas from staff too.
- C.
  
  Yes. We send out a survey to ask what staff are interested in and what they feel their needs are.
7.
Are all professional learning opportunities focused directly on the school's goals?
- A.
  
  We don't talk a lot of growth plans. That's information we keep at the administrative level.
- B.
  
  Some teachers are open to discuss their goals and growth, yet sometimes the focus on goals in general gets lost.
- C.
  
  Teachers do a great job of thinking about their own learning needs and also align them to the growth and vision of the school.

Quiz Outcomes

1.

You’re... Not Sure

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Congrats on completing the quiz! It was thoughtful of you to take it and consider the needs of your staff.It seems like you might need to get to know your staff's needs more since you aren't sure if they are getting the professional learning supports they need. Without some information from your staff, it is hard to meet specific needs and interest – but, no worries, I'm here to help!Three offers for your staff as you learn more about their needs.1. Bite size PDTry setting up a "speed-learning" structure for staff in your faculty meetings. Perhaps 20 min of your meeting time become this quick way for staff to share their expertise with each other in 5 minute speed learning sessions.2. Set up times for peer observation Opening some of your meeting time for teachers to plan a visit schedule, and then build a flexible schedule for visiting other classrooms is a great way to offer self-selected in-house professional learning.3. Hire a coachHiring an external teacher coach can be a game-changer for some teachers. Working with a coach allows for focused sessions on one thing at a time. External coaches provide an objective lens to what's happening in a setting."Who can help me better meet the needs of my teachers?" I’m glad you asked...Aloha 👋 I’m Tammy Musiowsky-Borneman, Founder and Professional Learning Facilitator at Plan Z Professional Learning Services. No matter how lost you you feel when trying to meet your teacher's need, we’re here to help!My team and I know what it's like to be a teacher who attends or receives professional development that doesn't meet our needs. I felt unheard and disregarded. Sadly this still occurs, and as a mass of educators, we need to change that. How can we change this?After teaching in a few schools and having so many conversations with educators from around the whole, who often voiced the same issue - I knew I had to do something. It turns out there can be a whole lot of unexpected roadblocks when you try to support teachers in the way that they need. At Plan Z Professional Learning Services, we offer educators forward-thinking support by sorting out priorities and shifting thinking about teaching experiences, so they can really transform the learning for their students. Want to learn more about us? Check out these options.1. Subscribe to our email list. Every Monday, we share a short 3-2-1 email with tips and resources, and each Thursday, we drop a blog post sharing a story, a tip, a reflection or some other connection points for educators to read and think about. 🙌2. Follow us on Twitter or Instagram at @PlanZPLS. You'll find updates about resources, tips, articles, and events we have going on. 3. Block off 15 minutes for a have Zoom call to chat about how we can meet the needs of your staff. These chats are really valuable so we can get to know each other and talk about how we can best support you and your staff!P.S. All you have to do is say YES to investing in your staff. Click the link below to learn more 🎉
2.

You're Reaching Some Teachers

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Congrats on completing the quiz! It was thoughtful of you to take it and consider the needs of your staff.It seems like you are in tune with some staff needs, and that's great! It also seems as though some staff may not be communicating what they need, or maybe you missed someone and aren't sure if they are getting the professional learning supports they need. Without some more information from those staff members it will be hard to meet everyone's specific professional needs and interests. No worries though, we are here to help!Three offers for broadening meeting your staff's needs.1. Host a staff gallery walkPrior to a staff meeting, have staff prepare a chart paper visual of their strengths, from teaching skills to fun skills. 2. Set up times for peer observation Opening some of your meeting time for teachers to plan a visit schedule, and then build a flexible schedule for visiting other classrooms is a great way to offer self-selected in-house professional learning.3. Hire a coachHiring an external teacher coach can be a game-changer for some teachers. Working with a coach allows for focused sessions on one thing at a time. External coaches provide an objective lens to what's happening in a setting."Who can help me better meet the needs of my teachers?" I’m glad you asked...Aloha 👋 I’m Tammy Musiowsky-Borneman, Founder and Professional Learning Facilitator at Plan Z Professional Learning Services. No matter how lost you you feel when trying to meet your teacher's need, we’re here to help!My team and I know what it's like to be a teacher who attends or receives professional development that doesn't meet our needs. I felt unheard and disregarded. Sadly this still occurs, and as a mass of educators, we need to change that. How can we change this?After teaching in a few schools and having so many conversations with educators from around the whole, who often voiced the same issue - I knew I had to do something. It turns out there can be a whole lot of unexpected roadblocks when you try to support teachers in the way that they need. At Plan Z Professional Learning Services, we offer educators forward-thinking support by sorting out priorities and shifting thinking about teaching experiences, so they can really transform the learning for their students. Want to learn more about us? Check out these options.1. Subscribe to our email list. Every Monday, we share a short 3-2-1 email with tips and resources, and each Thursday, we drop a blog post sharing a story, a tip, a reflection or some other connection points for educators to read and think about. 🙌2. Follow us on Twitter or Instagram at @PlanZPLS. You'll find updates about resources, tips, articles, and events we have going on. 3. Block off 15 minutes for a have Zoom call to chat about how we can meet the needs of your staff. These chats are really valuable so we can get to know each other and talk about how we can best support you and your staff!P.S. All you have to do is say YES to investing in your staff. Click the link below to learn more 🎉
3.

You're Really Thoughtful About Your Offerings

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Congrats on completing the quiz! It was thoughtful of you to take it and consider the needs of your staff.It seems like you know your staff's needs well and you have supported them with choice in professional learning opportunities. If you feel like you're not sure you're reaching ALL staff, we are here to offer three suggestions. Three offers for any staff who might be missing ... something, yet you feel good about the growth and learning with them.1. Use provocations in your meetings.Have you used discussion prompt photos, questions, protocols, or other tools as provocations for conversation in your staff meetings? If not, try it! This is a great way to introduce staff to a new discussion strategy, practice it, and then have them try it in their classrooms. 2. Set up peer-sharing sessions. Learn about your staff's passions and needs by pairing them. Open the opportunity for pairs to talk about their strengths as a teacher, and what they want to become better at. 3. Hire a coachHiring an external teacher coach can be a game-changer for some teachers. Working with a coach allows for focused sessions on one thing at a time. External coaches provide an objective lens to what's happening in a setting."Who can help me better meet the needs of my teachers?" I’m glad you asked...Aloha 👋 I’m Tammy Musiowsky-Borneman, Founder and Professional Learning Facilitator at Plan Z Professional Learning Services. No matter how lost you you feel when trying to meet your teacher's needs, we’re here to help!My team and I know what it's like to be a teacher who attends or receives professional development that doesn't meet our needs. I felt unheard and disregarded. Sadly this still occurs, and as a mass of educators, we need to change that. How can we change this?After teaching in a few schools and having so many conversations with educators from around the whole, who often voiced the same issue - I knew I had to do something. It turns out there can be a whole lot of unexpected roadblocks when you try to support teachers in the way that they need. At Plan Z Professional Learning Services, we offer educators forward-thinking support by sorting out priorities and shifting thinking about teaching experiences, so they can really transform the learning for their students. Want to learn more about us? Check out these options.1. Subscribe to our email list. Every Monday, we share a short 3-2-1 email with tips and resources, and each Thursday, we drop a blog post sharing a story, a tip, a reflection or some other connection points for educators to read and think about. 🙌2. Follow us on Twitter or Instagram at @PlanZPLS. You'll find updates about resources, tips, articles, and events we have going on. 3. Block off 15 minutes for a have Zoom call to chat about how we can meet the needs of your staff. These chats are really valuable so we can get to know each other and talk about how we can best support you and your staff!P.S. All you have to do is say YES to investing in your staff. Click the link below to learn more 🎉