In a recent NASSP blog by Stuart Singer, “Professional Development Should Be a Team Sport” (August 13), the usual concern about the pre-school staff development is aired but with a different approach. Realizing that by this time of the year, August staff development changes may be moot but planning for next year using this model may provide principals time to organize changes.
In his blog, Stewart reviews what Mel Riddle did at his high school in Northern Virginia after staff complained about the dearth of time in the classroom to prepare for the opening of school. Having had experience as a high school principal, I have listened to these concerns and attempted to carve out more planning time in August. Even so, teachers always wanted to come into the building on the Saturday before Labor Day and work.
Mel met with his staff in late spring of one year and listended to their concerns and collectively, they developed a workable plan. You may want to review this at http://nasspblogs.org/principaldifference1/2013/08/professional-development-should-be-a-team-sport/
