The Olympia School District (OSD)’s Teaching & Learning, Technology, and Student Support staff updated the school board on the 2024-25 Professional Development (PD) Plan mid-year initiatives at a Thursday, Dec. 5, work session.
“What we're really talking about tonight is predominantly work that's going on in our classrooms with certificated staff, some paraeducators. But there is professional development that's happening across our district with all staff. … There's professional development that's happening everywhere,” OSD Superintendent Patrick Murphy said.
The district’s PD plan incorporates Charlotte Danielson's Danielson Framework, which outlines a structured approach to develop and evaluate effective teaching methods, for improved instructional outcomes.
OSD also uses a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) focusing on the identification of students’ various strengths and challenges to provide differentiated support for holistic development.
“While all of these individual groups are really focusing on individual … initiatives, we really are all trying to align with the idea that we are focusing on engagement, inclusionary practices, and all of those things overlap,” said Autumn Lara, OSD Executive Director of Elementary Education.
Lara shared that OSD adopted the Danielson Framework by dividing educators into Teaching Instructional Leadership Teams (TILT), who first learn the framework’s domains and corresponding skills.
The TILTs include the teachers, leadership and staff, who would then return to their buildings or offices and impart what the Danielson focus was for that month.
Paraeducators primarily undergo 20 hours of initial training, broken down into 12 Fundamental Courses of Study (FCS) using the online learning platform Schoology.
“Fundamental Course of Study is for our paraeducators. It is a requirement of some quality, professional development for all newly hired paraeducators in their first year of employment,” said Lindsay Welsh, Jefferson Middle School Assistant Principal and Coordinator of FCS for paraeducators.
OSD provides 28 hours of in-person training during the school year. Over 25 daily participants attended the 14 hours of in-person training in October, and another 14 hours will be offered the opportunity during spring conference week.
“We offer 14 hours of professional and personal development. Once in October and also in March, so we have time here, some opportunities for our paraeducators to access this,” said Welsh.
OSD has 29 newly hired paraeducators currently undergoing the FCS, two of whom have completed the coursework.
The OSD board and administration have undergone the Dare to Lead training, a leadership-building program based on Dr. Brené Brown’s research.
The curriculum teaches the skills, practices and tools that underpin the four skill sets of leadership: Rumbling with Vulnerability, Living into Our Values, BRAVING Trust and Learning to Rise.
Executive Director of Elementary Education Autumn Lara stated that her personal experience with the training has made her value partnership.
“There's just been a lot of real benefits to this. I feel like for myself, as a leader, it has helped center me, helped me have more perspective when things are hard, and it also encourages us to find those people within our work that are a support for us because we don't do it alone. We do it in partnership, and I know that's something,” Lara said.
Executive Director of Secondary Education James Whitehead said the virtual and face-to-face leadership training incorporated more of the research's two skills, Rumbling with Vulnerability and Learning to Rise.
The ongoing Dare to Lead Training started in August, and will continue next year.
Director of Inclusive Schools Laura Conklin discussed OSD’s implementation of Culturally Responsive Education Residencies and its Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID) College Preparatory program.
Conklin said the district is creating opportunities for teachers and staff to collaborate, and be equipped to implement the programs around the fall of next year.
Conklin mentioned that the district’s counseling programs now adhere to Senate Bill (SB) 5030, which directs school districts to develop and implement comprehensive counseling programs (CSCP) focusing on addressing students' social-emotional, academic and career development needs.
“There was recently a Senate Bill 5030, that we are aligned to, which is aligned to the national model. And essentially, it's that school counselors are intentional with their comprehensive program,” Conklin said.
“That intentionality is aligning to standards, just as any other content would do, to utilize data, to be in line with their buildings, and then to use a variety of kind of work products to build action plans and assess those,” Conklin added.
School Psychologist Omar Flores said that OSD also provides opportunities for student support staff, such as behavior specialists and technicians.
Aside from training for paraeducators, there is also behavioral support training, Individualized Education Plan (IEP) training, evaluation and assistive technology.
For early learning PD, there are monthly PD activities on how to work with pre-kindergarten students, and teacher-specific PD to help people who struggle in taking data or providing interventions.
“We make sure that our staff is trained with the right response so that we are in line with OSPI (Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction)-type recommendations,” Flores said.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here