Amanda Stein

Assistant to Staff Development
850-767-4267

"Staff Development is a coherent, concerted effort involving everyone who affects student learning, from administrators and teachers to custodial and support staff. It is a critical, ongoing function requiring action research and strategic planning, clear expectations and skills training."
Dennis Sparks, Executive Director, National Staff Development Council

In Bay District Schools, The Office of Staff Development coordinates the following programs to guide the development of individuals and the system toward improved student achievement.

STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Bay District Schools Office of Staff Development coordinates a system of professional development for all employees to enable the school community to meet state and local achievement standards and goals and to succeed in school improvement as described in Florida Statute 229.591. All professional development within Bay District Schools is coordinated and monitored by the Office of Staff Development.

BAY DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

The Bay District Professional Development council serves in an advisory capacity for the inservice education of all personnel within the district and acts as the coordinating board with other districts, educational consortiums, collaborative colleges and universities regarding implementation activities. The representatives on the Professional Development council consult with representatives from the school community to establish policies and procedures to guide the development and coordination of the system of professional development. The active participation of personnel in initiating, planning, conducting and evaluating professional development programs is essential to the improvement of educational achievement. The attitudes, skills and knowledge of personnel are reflected in student learning and achievement.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM

The goals of the Bay District Professional Development System are:

1. Increase the success of district educators in guiding student learning and development so as to implement state and local educational standards, goals and initiatives;

2. Assist the school community in providing activities that encourage and motivate students to achieve at the highest levels and to become active learners; and

3. Provide continuous support for all educational professionals who need improvement in knowledge, skills, and performance.

MASTER INSERVICE PLAN

The Master Inservice Plan is the document containing all policies and activities related to the planning, development and administration of professional development activities of the school district. The plan is approved by the district school board and the commissioner. It is updated annually.

DOCUMENTATION OF TEACHER INSERVICE

The Office of Staff Development coordinates, monitors, and maintains all inservice records for workshops and conferences attended by certificated personnel. All certificate renewals that involve inservice points and college credit are handled through this office. Leave forms and payment for travel provided through Staff Development funds are processed through this office.

NEW EDUCATOR ORIENTATION AND INDUCTION PROGRAM

The Bay District New Teacher Induction Program is required of all instructional employees new to teaching, new to Bay District, or new to Florida as a condition of employment within the District. This program emphasizes growth, personal improvement, and enhancement of professional practice. The program is based on the premise that the Bay District School System employs the best available educators, so the focus of the plan is not "remedial" in nature. Rather, the plan is designed to recognize that people new to the district, and in many instances to the teaching profession, need assistance and mentoring as they grow in becoming fully accomplished professionals.
The program emphasizes two critical aspects of becoming a fully accomplished professional educator. The first may be thought of as "knowing the ropes" - the policies, procedures, and practices of the Bay District Schools. The second may be thought of as enhancing the ability to teach - acquiring the attitudes and strategies of more effective classroom teachers.
There are three strands of involvement in this program:

Strand A involves gathering information from school and district resources. Much of the learning from this strand occurs based on the needs of the individual. It requires a partnership with the beginning educator and a building level administrator or designee.

Strand B involves workshops presented by school district personnel. The content of each presentation deals with district, school, and classroom level issues. This is the "local knowledge" component and merges effective teaching skills with the understanding of local professional practice.

Strand C requires the completion of district training initiatives which are required of all district teachers. The purpose of these workshop activities is to allow the beginning educator to have the same level of understanding as experienced teachers who have already completed the training. The major components will include the following programs:

• Standards Based Planning
• Technology Inservice
• ESOL
• Reading Framework
• And others as determined by district need

MASTER SUBSTITUTE TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM

The Office of Staff Development in cooperation with Gulf Coast Community College offers the master Substitute Teacher Training Program. This training offers participants the opportunity to gain knowledge regarding the expectations, guidelines, and requirements of the District's classes. Gulf Coast Community College is the fiscal agent for the training, providing training space and maintaining registration procedures. There are six modules covered in the training.

1. Administrative Expectations and Responsibilities
2. Classroom and Behavior Management
3. Instructional Preparation
4. Technology
5. Level Specific Shadowing of an Experienced Teacher
6. Presentation of a Lesson

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT (HRMD)

"Persons who have been exposed to a wide range of educational ideas and practices, and have seen those in actual use, are more likely to favor and, when influential, push for change." (Lortie)

A leadership development process facilitates continuous change within the organization. Ongoing leadership development is aligned with the goals of the individual and organization.

The district implements a clearly defined and articulated process that includes key practices from recent research supporting professional and organizational development.

The leadership development process may be available to district personnel, in any job role, who demonstrate a desire and an aptitude for assuming a leadership role in the district.

The district leadership development process will:

• Provide a continuous learning process
• Respond to the individual needs of each participant
• Document evidence of existing competencies
• Include ongoing self-assessment
• Integrate selection data
• Consider input from the school community

Incorporate a variety of professional development experiences including:

1. Activities that support Florida Principal competencies
2. Coaching and mentoring
3. Activities that are relevant and timely
4. Opportunities to practice newly acquired knowledge on the job.

Information regarding the screening, selection, and appointment process for principals, assistant principals and district-level administrators, preparing new principals and the performance appraisal system can be obtained from the Bay District HRMD Plan by contacting the Office of Staff Development.