You've landed in your international role and are making an impact – but how do you keep growing? In this insightful episode of the GRT Summer Series, host Mike Pierre and ISS colleagues Dana Watts, Greg Smith, and Katlyn Darling dive deep into the crucial element of professional development in international schools. Learn how to identify, access, and maximize PD opportunities both within and beyond your school to elevate your teaching, expand your horizons, and truly flourish in your global career. From strategic personal growth plans to leveraging school resources and unexpected learning avenues, this episode is packed with invaluable advice for every international educator.
💬 Quotes from the Episode:
"You have to be the captain of your own ship. You have to know what it is that you're doing, and as you're developing your professional learning plans... it has to reflect your journey." – Katlyn Darling 🚢
"The more you can professionally enhance and develop your individual teachers, the more likely they're going to stay. And that's really good for you. So it can be really a great part of your attraction and retention strategy." – Greg Smith 💼
"Teachers need access to be able to take a course or on demand when they need it... Having access to PD is just incredibly important." – Dana Watts 💡
"I learned about that widget from a school administrator... and I'm taking it, and I'm putting it into my instructional practice right away." – Katlyn Darling 🧠
"If you don't apply it yourself within 48 hours, it's basically gone." – Greg Smith ⏳
"The second you tell someone else, or you teach something else that you learn to someone else, it just sticks, and that's so helpful." – Dana Watts 🗣️
📌 Key Insights:
Be the Captain of Your Own PD Journey: 🧭 While schools offer support, international educators must take ownership of their professional development. Chart a course that aligns with your personal growth goals and career trajectory.
Schools' Evolving Approach to PD: 🎯 Gone are the days of a "one-size-fits-all" approach. Good international schools now offer voice and choice, providing stipends or direct access to diverse PD to meet individual growth needs.
PD as a Retention Strategy: 🤝 For school leaders, investing in teacher PD is a key strategy for attracting and retaining high-quality staff, fostering professional efficacy, and ensuring consistent baseline quality across the school.
Maximize Every PD Opportunity (The 48-Hour Rule!): ⏱️
Engage Actively: Take notes (handwritten can aid focus and recall!), and observe not just content but also presentation styles and facilitation techniques.
Apply Quickly: Greg Smith's "rule of 48" suggests applying what you learn within 48 hours, or the opportunity dissipates. Find a way to try it or share it with a colleague to solidify the learning.
Beyond Formal Workshops: Diverse PD Avenues:
Regional & Local Conferences: ✈️ Attend larger regional events, but also seek out smaller, local conferences (e.g., those hosted by local universities). These offer unique networking opportunities with diverse educators, including those from local schools.
Accreditation Teams: Joining an accreditation visit to another school is a powerful learning experience and a significant pathway to leadership, offering insights into different school operations.
Networking: Connecting with peers in similar roles globally is invaluable. These informal connections can provide real-time solutions and support.
Online Platforms: Utilize on-demand platforms (like the ISS EduLearn Passport) for flexible, accessible learning that allows you to address specific "holes in your learning" precisely when you need it.
Equity in PD Access: 🌍 A crucial shift in international schools is providing equitable access to professional learning for all staff, including non-teaching staff and local hires. These individuals are the "glue" of the school, and their growth benefits the entire learning community.
