Staff Development by Gregory Milbrand https://padlet.com/gmilbrand/6njc8tbd7ujo Immaculata University EDL732 en-us 2016-09-18 13:53:18 UTC 2023-04-13 06:52:14 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Apple.png My Professional Biography gmilbrand https://padlet.com/gmilbrand/6njc8tbd7ujo/wish/124563791 Passion and commitment to education has always been a priority in my life.  My father was a band director for 36 years and my mother worked as a school secretary at Central Dauphin High School.  I am married to Bethany, a 7th grade social studies teacher.  I progressed through the Central Dauphin School District, graduating in 1992.  I furthered my education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, acquiring a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.  My teaching career began by returning to the Central Dauphin School District to teach 4th and 5th graders at North Side Elementary School.  I acquired my science certification and moved on to teach 8th grade Earth and Space Science at Central Dauphin East Middle School.  As I taught at both these locations, I was the percussion instructor for the Central Dauphin High School Band for ten years.  While teaching, I also studied Educational Administration at Shippensburg University where I received a Master’s Degree and Principal K-12 Certification. The Halifax Area School District provided my first administrative experience, where I served as the Assistant Secondary Principal and Middle School Principal. While working in the Halifax Area School District, I completed my Superintendent Letter of Eligibility. Moving along in a progressive fashion, I accepted employment with the East Pennsboro Area School District to serve as the Supervisor of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. Currently, I serve the district as the Assistant Superintendent of Schools with the East Pennsboro Area School District.]]> 2016-09-18 13:57:57 UTC https://padlet.com/gmilbrand/6njc8tbd7ujo/wish/124563791 My Professional Development Philosophy gmilbrand https://padlet.com/gmilbrand/6njc8tbd7ujo/wish/125104460 Opportunities for professional development should be driven by both individual need, and district need.  Leaders must establish the rationale for professional development and involve various stakeholders to develop a shared plan of action containing connected and cooperative goals.  Drago-Severson (2009) identifies that shared leadership can help to develop a sense of community, manage change effectively, and help to facilitate effective professional development.  It is essential for leaders to stay clear of “…having a torrent of unwanted, uncoordinated policies and innovations raining down on them from hierarchical bureaucracies” (Kouzes & Posner, 2011, p. 109).
 
At the district and school level, leaders will work to establish the urgency to continually progress teaching and learning forward.  Professional development is best done in a continuous fashion, not a snapshot, one-time delivery method.  Districts should establish a committee of various stakeholders to meet regularly to create, plan, and establish a vision for strategy development (Drago-Severson, 2009).  Districts must be careful to not try to innovate the most, where in turn, they do not do anything well.  A professional development plan must contain depth and coherence to the district and school vision.  A district must not only seek out the best ideas, but must ensure that they take continuous action (Fullan, 2001). Garmston (2007) states that to produce change and gain positive results teams must have a shared ownership to increase understanding, commitment, and follow-through.  
 
In order to create forward-thinking professional development, we must realize that individual growth leads to organizational growth.  “Improvement comes when you engage in conscious introspection.  This requires you to reflect on your past, attend to the present, prospect the future, and feel your passion” (Kouzes & Posner, 2012, p. 106).  Keeping in mind the complexity of the knowledge base and skill level of professional staff members, training should be differentiated wherever possible.  It is important to establish a culture where each individual understands their role and responsibility in personal professional growth.  Through a differentiated supervision model, staff members have the ability to make decisions regarding their professional growth.  Teacher-driven initiatives will enhance instruction and allow for a reflective model of staff development.  Just as we encourage among our students, professional staff will be active, lifelong learners.  Leaders must continue to encourage innovation and growth among staff members.  
 
References:
 
Drago-Severson, D. (2009). Leading adult learning: Supporting adult development in our schools. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
 
Garmston, R.J. (2007). Balanced conversations promote shared ownership. In Drago-Severson, Leading adult learning: Supporting adult development in our schools (p. 72). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
 
Fullan, M. (2001). Leading in a culture of change. San Francisco, CA: Josey Bass.
 
Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2012) The leadership challenge: 5th edition. San Francisco, CA: Josey Bass.
 
Kouzes, J.M., & Posner, B.Z. (2011). Strengthening credibility: A leader’s workbook. San Francisco, CA: Josey Bass.
]]> 2016-09-20 14:49:50 UTC https://padlet.com/gmilbrand/6njc8tbd7ujo/wish/125104460 East Pennsboro Area School District gmilbrand https://padlet.com/gmilbrand/6njc8tbd7ujo/wish/125130679 Secondary Schools Vision: Blended Learning]]> 2016-09-20 15:43:17 UTC https://padlet.com/gmilbrand/6njc8tbd7ujo/wish/125130679 East Pennsboro Area School District gmilbrand https://padlet.com/gmilbrand/6njc8tbd7ujo/wish/125132569 Secondary Schools Vision: Technology-Enabled Classrooms, 1:1
http://www.epasd.org/domain/425]]> 2016-09-20 15:47:36 UTC https://padlet.com/gmilbrand/6njc8tbd7ujo/wish/125132569 East Pennsboro Area School Distric gmilbrand https://padlet.com/gmilbrand/6njc8tbd7ujo/wish/125134831 Elementary Vision: Improved Literacy Instruction]]> 2016-09-20 15:53:58 UTC https://padlet.com/gmilbrand/6njc8tbd7ujo/wish/125134831 East Pennsboro Area School District gmilbrand https://padlet.com/gmilbrand/6njc8tbd7ujo/wish/125138304 Elementary Vision: Improved Literacy Instruction]]> 2016-09-20 16:02:01 UTC https://padlet.com/gmilbrand/6njc8tbd7ujo/wish/125138304