While the start of the 2020-2021 school year looked different from years past, the one thing that remained consistent was Antioch CCSD 34’s commitment to continuous improvement. In an effort to support the professional development and learning of teachers, the Teaching and Learning Department provided teachers with a series of summer learning and professional development opportunities to support the successful implementation of the newly-adopted English Language Arts programs, myView Literacy (K-5) and StudySync (6-8).
With a renewed and targeted focus on reading and writing instruction across all grade levels, Summer 2020 professional learning opportunities for staff were rooted in these foundational areas. In addition to hosting a series of publisher trainings for the new ELA curricular programs, the District partnered with Heinemann Publishing author and consultant Matt Glover. K-5 teachers, administrators and interventionists had the opportunity to participate in a full-day Writing Workshop training focusing on current best practices in writing, establishing daily writing routines, fostering writing engagement in students, as well as the planning and implementation of the Writing Workshop model in the classroom.
Building upon this Writing Workshop training, the District purchased the professional text A Teacher’s Guide to Writing Workshop Essentials: Time, Choice, Response by Katherine Bomer and Corrine Arens for every 3-5 classroom teacher and A Teacher’s Guide to Getting Started with Beginning Writers by Katie Wood Ray and Lisa Cleaveland for classroom teachers in grades K-2. Teachers were invited to participate in professional book studies where they engaged in lively discussions around these texts, sharing writing ideas, tips and strategies.
Much like students, teacher learning doesn’t end when they exit their classrooms for the summer. Through a collection of professional development opportunities ranging from publisher trainings to book studies and virtual workshops, Antioch CCSD 34 teachers have remained steadfast in their dedication to continuous improvement and professional learning, growth and development.
