Schools should be places where both adults and students learn. Teachers and administrators who develop their own knowledge and skills, model for students that learning is important and useful.  A school that organizes team-based professional development and expects all teachers and administrators to consistently participate, though for different purposes, at different times, in different ways, clearly demonstrates that it is serious about all educators performing at higher levels. As a result, the entire school is more focused and effective. Everyone benefits in the end.

I am thankful that in pursuit of my Bachelor’s Degree in Education, a lot of our core courses included Special Education courses. One was even offered the opportunity to solely pursue it as a major. Over the last decade the Ministry Of Education in my country, has implemented courses in this area of study available to all educators. These courses have enabled me to be more equipped in the learning environment to cater for students with special needs, especially in making them feel a sense of belonging.

A teacher can never know enough about how a student learns, what impedes the student’s learning, and how the teacher’s instruction can increase the student’s learning. Professional development is the only means for teachers to gain such knowledge. Whether students are high, low, or average achievers, they will learn more if their teachers regularly engage in high-quality professional development.