Professional Development Opportunities
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Closing the Achievement Gap Selected personnel of the RV community will continue to attend workshops focusing on increasing student achievement and equity issues which traditionally affect the disenfranchised and disaffected students as well as school climate which affects the social and emotional needs of all students. Cooperating Teacher Workshop This workshp is designed to help deliniate roles and responsibilies of cooperating teachers and provide them with tools and resources to be successful in their new role. Cooperative Teaching Training This workshop is designed to review different cooperative teaching models and provide practical materials for the teaming endeavor. The session is helpful in developing an effective "co-teaching relationship." A panel of experienced teams will be available to share their personal experiences. Kagan Structure of the Month Monthly fun-filled, hands-on presentations that teaches a variety of cooperative learning structures that can improve lessons WITHOUT major renovation! Staff will learn quick and easy tools to help add individual student accountability, interaction, and cooperation among students. Step-by-step instructions of the strategies and demonstrations will be provided during these sessions. RV Comprehensive New Staff Induction Program Rancocas Valley’s comprehensive induction/orientation program is geared toward inducting and retaining a highly qualified cadre of staff. This endeavor begins with a four-day summer orientation/training program and is supported with monthly after-school Instructional Skills Sessions as well as periodic orientation sessions to familiarize new staff with the various resources and services offered by the District. This program includes after-school Instructional Skills Sessions for all second and third year staff as well. An on-going Mentor Program, conducted by in-house trainers, provides assistance to mentor team participants in developing responsible, supportive, and collaborative relationships. Also, a Mentor Manual is available that delineates the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders on the mentor team. Teaching Schema for Master Learners A Schema for teachers that provides a way to introduce all elements of the Big Four (just-right curriculum; well-structured, research-based instruction; varied assessments; and targeted feedback) into every lesson. The Schema acts as a scaffold for connecting the curriculum directly to instruction and assessment by illuminating the importance of giving feedback to help ensure student progress on the curriculum standards. Technology Training On-going workshops and training sessions are planned to help staff develop technological skills including: Genesis (the school's new student management program), SCANTRON, WIKIPEDIA, SmartBoard, and Naviance Software. Understanding by Design Training is provided to staff to support Rancocas Valley's initiative to align curriculum guides, assessment instruments and instructional activities with the Core Curriculum Content Standards. This initiative, "Developing a School-Wide Standards Based Commonly Assessed Curriculum", part of the ongoing effort to approach curriculum, assessment and instruction in the most effective manner includes training in the ASCD endorsed Understanding by Design curriculum development model. Additionally, Rancocas Valley is utilizing early release days to provide opportunities for staff to work collegially and develop quality checks of curriculum guides, assessment devices, new curriculum guides, and team unit plans. |
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