Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Growing connections professionally

Last Friday, our teachers were away in Hamilton for a day of professional development.  Together with educators from Drayton, Guelph, Kitchener, Dundas, Hamilton, Cambridge, St. Catharines, Dunnville, and Stoney Creek, we delved into four different educational topics.  The day was set up so that theory and stories were presented followed by teachers re-grouping and sharing what they were doing, challenges, and opportunities they had to grow.  "Theory really met practice" in this day of learning and sharing.
'Culture and Character' focused in on how we are building schools where Christ is centre, and how to develop a community of learning where each builds one another up.  'Beautiful Student Work' allowed us to explore how to raise standards for our students and give them opportunity to work toward better products that wouldn't be necessarily only for a teacher to mark and hand back.  'Mastery of Skills and Knowledge' gave us space to investigate the requisite 'things' that kids need to know as they move forward through school in each subject.  Finally, 'Deep Connection and the Holy Spirit' allowed us to share stories and experiences about how God is working in our classrooms, schools, and region.
As an increasing need in a quickly changing world, our teachers need to become more connected as colleagues to one another, and to support not only their own students and classrooms, but to rely on and support one another to further the project of Christian Education.
As you can see, that is being well met in our professional development. We are thankful for a community of passionate Christian Educators. To God be the glory!!

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