INNOVATIVE  PROFESSIONAL  LEARNING

All of these programs are carefully designed to help staff members grow as professional educators. They can be integrated into any educational setting and provide practical solutions for organizations. They are designed to make an impact on educational performance and are aimed directly at student achievement as the end product.

The following topics can be the focus of teacher workshops, administrative retreats, team meetings, academies, district-wide activities, or other venues:

• Professional Learning Communities: The Power of Educational Cadres
• Teacher Leadership and Mentoring: Sharing Talents with Colleagues
• Action Planning for Meetings: Results-Oriented Strategies
• Time Management: Effective Organizing and Mapping Strategies
• Professional Development: Designing Successful Conferences, Workshops and Learning Activities
• Program Quality Review: A Comprehensive Process for Evaluating Programs
• Diversity in the School: Respecting and Celebrating Differences

Professional Learning Communities: The Power of Educational Cadres

• Professional Renewal in Schools and the Benefits of PLCs in Making Changes
• Examining the Research and Defining the Components of Effective PLCs
• Converting Current Committees and Other Structures into PLCs
• Investigating Various PLCs: Focus Groups, Critical Friends Groups, Lesson Study Cadres, Case Discussion Groups, Action Research Teams
• Team-Building Exercises for Brainstorming and Creative Problem Solving
• Supportive Conditions and Norms for Effectice Data Driven Decision Making
• Using S.M.A.R.T. Goals for Reaching Consensus and Closure

Teacher Leadership and Mentoring: Sharing Talents with Colleagues

• Selecting and Supporting Teacher Leaders as Agents of Instructional Change
• Identifying Roles of Teacher Leaders Within the Organization
• Training Teacher Leaders in Facilitation and Planning Strategies
• Providing Communication, Collaboration and Time Management Skills
• Utilizing Coaching, Conferencing and Feedback Techniques with Colleagues
• Planning, Implementing and Leading Professional Development Workshops
• Coordinating Effective Committees, Focus Groups and Action Research Teams
• Improving the Content and Process of Mentoring and Playing a Vital Role

Action Planning for Meetings: Results-Oriented Strategies

• Determining the Purpose, Goals, Priority Issues and Agenda for the Meeting
• Preparing Structural Details: Suitable Time and Appropriate Environment
• Selecting the Format with Discussion Opportunities and Active Participation
• Planning the Amenities: Materials, Food, Breaks and A-V/Tech. Equipment
• Facilitation Skills: Correcting the Flow and Creating Group Activities
• Deciding Participants' Roles: Facilitator, Reporter, Time-Keeper and Reporter
• Brainstorming, Norming and Applying Criteria for Effective Decision Making
• Summarizing the Recommendations and Writing Concise Minutes

Time Management: Effective Organizing and Mapping Strategies

• Assessing Personal Time Management Skills and Habits
• Goal Setting: Creating Balance in Personal and Professional Lives
• Planning, Organizing, Resourcing, Delegating and Decision Making
• Managing Clutter, Time-Wasters and Daily Interruptions
• Action Planning: Using Data to Make Organizational Changes
• Prioritizing and Streamlining Desk Work and Reports
• Time-Mapping: Structuring Time for Maximum Efficiency

Professional Development: Designing Successful Conferences, Workshops and Learning Activities

• Assessing Needs: Using Written Surveys and Meeting Discussions
• Determining Objectives, Meeting Outcomes and Audience
• Identifying Characteristics of Successful Training Workshops
• Incorporating Ideas from Adult Learning Theory: Forming Groups
• Planning Details: Facility, Room Layout and Technology Needs
• Embedding Action-Planning and Implementation Strategies
• Evaluating Workshops and Determining the Impact on Practice
• Designing Follow-Up and Skill Maintenance Activities

Program Quality Review: A Comprehensive Process for Evaluating Programs

• Determining the Program for Evaluation: Choosing Clusters
• Discussing the Priority Issues for the Evaulation: Involving Staff
• Deciding on the Dates and Locations for On-Site Visits
• Planning the Protocols for Interviews and Observations
• Selecting the Evaluation Team Members: Regional and State Experts
• Orienting the Evaluation Team to the Program and the PQR Process
• Planning and Conducting the Three-Day On-Site Visits
• Writing the Report: Strengths, Needs and Recommendations
• Assisting with Strategic Planning and Implementation

Diversity in the School: Respecting and Celebrating Differences

• Developing a Mission Statement Which Incorporates Diversity
• Forming a Diversity Task Force and Selecting Members
• Identifying Curricular and Instructional Avenues for Diversity
• Creating Diversity Awareness and Sensitivity Training for Staff and Students
• Identifying and Integrating Diversity Resources into School Programs
• Reducing Prejudice and Fostering Discussion Among Students
• Understanding the Characteristics of Culturally Proficient Schools
• Devising Newsletters, Meetings and Conferences on Diversity

Theodore H. Davis

President of Innovative Professional Learning, LLC

Former Director of Professional Education Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22

• PA Intermediate Unit Executive Director...

  "In terms of program content and options, number of participants, and logistics, I truly believe this year's Special Education Conference was the 'best ever.' Your ability to organize such a huge event is most appreciated. Also, your leadership and support in revitalizing staff development for intermediate unit staff is very impressive. Thank you."

• Preschool Teacher...

  "I have been teaching for 27 years and I can honestly say that the Early Literacy Academy organized by Mr. Davis has been one of the top programs I have ever attended. I now have a wealth of information to incorporate into my classroom."

• Developmental Therapist...

  "There were many wonderful, concrete ideas presented at the conference coordinated by Ted Davis, all useable with my early intervention families in their homes, and all the children and adults in my life."

• Autism Support Teacher...

  "This workshop at the conference developed by Mr. Davis was a very, very informative and effective session. It provided fresh, new ways to implement practical strategies."