The best-laid plans are not always executed effectively. Professional development initiatives achieve differing degrees of success across organizations; this is often attributed to varying quality of implementation. Effective implementation is challenging to coordinate and essential to organizational change.

I have previously cited three categories of leadership practices that support effective professional development initiatives. Setting direction through articulating a vision and creating shared meanings and developing people through differentiating professional development choices are key to organizational change. The third step is to ensure that teachers can practice what they’ve learned in professional development experiences. We need to “develop the organization"; this includes strengthening school culture; modifying organizational structure by providing time, space, and resources; and building collaborative processes. In other words, we need to ensure quality implementation.

 

Let’s take a closer look at MyTeachingPartner™ (MTP), Teachstone’s intensive coaching program. Teachers engaged in MTP videotape their own teaching practice, send that video to a coach for review, engage online in viewing segments of the video along with responding to reflection prompts, and then conference with their coach. What does an MTP teacher need in order to be successful?

In the case of MTP, one might consider the following questions:

  • How can I promote trust, shared beliefs, and comfort taking risks?
  • Do my teachers have classroom coverage allowing them time to reflect and engage in conferencing with their coach?
  • Have we provided the technology necessary for MTP teachers to view video segments and respond to prompts?
  • How can I encourage teachers to work together and support each other in their efforts?
  • Are there spaces where teachers can meet to collaborate and talk about the professional development they are engaged in?

Your organization may not be engaged in MTP, but these questions can direct planning for supporting teachers’ professional growth. To learn more about MTP or our other programs for coaches, check out our new Coach Toolbox. Whether you’re committed to Instructional Support Strategies, Making the Most of Classroom Interactions, using the CLASS Discussion Toolkit, or MTP, use these questions to guide your thinking as you ask yourself how your organization can maximize the impact of your professional development dollars and promote positive organizational change.