What is professional learning?

Professional Learning is the means by which teachers, administrators, and other school and system employees acquire, enhance, or refine the knowledge, skills and commitment necessary to create and support high levels of learning for all students. According to TN State Law §49-6-3004, a minimum of 5 days must be devoted to in-service education, or professional learning, each annual calendar year.

How does SCS ensure this lawful 5 days of learning?

One (1) of the 5 learning days are embedded in the first week of 2009-10 in-service plans (local school in-service), three (3) are embedded in our District Learning Days, and the remaining one (1) is embedded in professional development credits.

How did the 2010-2011 Professional Development Plan come about?

A SCS Flex/PD Steering Committee (comprised of teachers, principals, SCEA, district leaders, and more) reviewed current research, feedback, and needs over time to determine how to refine our efforts and proceed for 2010-11.

Can you tell me more about the District Learning Days?

District Learning Days will take place on August 5, 2010, August 6, 2010, and February 21, 2011. These days will be lead by district leaders and may include SCS’s core learning as well as content-related learning. District Learning Days are not PD credit-able.

Will we still use the term “flex” in 2010-11?

No, we will no longer use the term “flex” to define learning. Instead, we will use “professional development credits” (PD credits) to define learning outside of the contracted work day, and “professional development hours” (PD Hours) to define learning inside the contracted work day.

How many Professional Development Credits (PD credits) do I need and why?

For the 2010-11 school year, every teacher that signs a contract must complete six (6) PD credits by May 6th, 2011. (Interim teachers and/or teachers with an alternative start date are required to obtain PD credits commensurate with their start date). These 6 PD credits represent one (1) contracted day of professional learning in which teachers follow their “Professional Development Plan” as outlined by their principal or department lead. Keep in mind that SCS encourages you to increase your professional learning beyond this 6 PD credit minimum.

How are the 6 PD credits divided up for 2010-11?

Three (3) of the six credits are “custom” credits determined by your principal or department lead. The remaining three (3) are “choice” credits, in which one can choose from online, face-to-face, conference, or outside learning. (Classes for college credit cannot count toward SCS PD credits).

What about teachers new to SCS? Are their Professional Development Plans the same?

No. Teachers new to SCS have a modified PD Plan so they can best assimilate into the district and profession. New SCS teachers will have to obtain 3 custom and 3 New Teacher Induction credits for the 2010-11 school year. The SCS Exemplary Team will guide the New Teacher Induction credits and classes.

How many PD credits must I earn each semester?

All 6 PD credits are due no later than May 6, 2011 (or earlier as outlined by your principal or department lead). You are encouraged to earn your PD credits throughout the year, and you must follow the direction and pace provided by your principal or department lead.

Who do I turn my PD transcripts in to for credit and confirmation of completion?

Print a copy of your professional development transcript off of the My Learning Plan www.mylearningplan.com site prior to May 6, 2011. Attach this transcript to your Professional Development Plan, and turn both in to your school’s administrative designee.

What comprises a “Professional Development Plan”?

Each teacher is expected to follow his/her Professional Development Plan designed by your principal or department lead. Each Professional Development Plan is crafted to meet individual and comprehensive learning needs and encompasses the following elements:

I. Custom Content (3 credits)

II. Choice (3 credits)

__________________________________
Totaling 6 PD credits

New SCS Teachers will follow this PD Plan:

I. Custom Content (3 credits)

II. New Teacher Induction classes (3 credits)

__________________________________
Totaling 6 PD credits

When will my 2010-11 “Professional Development Plan” be available?

Professional Development Plans will be designed and monitored by principal and department leads. As a minimum, PD Plans should be available by August 15, 2010, provided by your principal.

What is the timeframe for 2010-11 Professional Learning?

You may begin earning 2010-11 PD credits on June 1st, 2010 through May 6, 2011 (unless an earlier due date is designated by you principal or department lead).

What is necessary to know about summer courses and PD credits?

You will be following a specified 2010-11 “Professional Development Plan” for 3 “custom” credits, so you may choose to wait until you have a confirmed PD Plan in hand before taking custom classes over the summer. Yet, 3 PD credits will be choice, feel free to begin earning those credits over the summer. The only exception is teachers new to SCS. Teachers new to SCS do not have choice PD credits to earn.

How do I enroll in summer SCS classes?

To enroll in classes over the summer, utilize the My Learning Plan (MLP) www.mylearningplan.com calendar to locate and review class offerings. Once you locate the class you want to take, you can enroll straight from the MLP website.

What if I am taking a class outside of SCS this summer?

For the three (3) choice PD credits, teachers may choose a learning resource outside of SCS but must gain pre-approval by a direct supervisor/principal beforehand. Supervisors/Principals may award up to 3 PD credits per outside SCS learning experience. To receive PD credit for learning outside of SCS, completion certificates must be signed by the requestor’s supervisor (noting amount of PD credits allowed), and sent to the SCS Teacher Center Administrative Clerk, Shirley Mason at Oak ES, by Pony for posting in My Learning Plan.

What outside learning is not Choice PD-creditable?

Supervisors/Principals awarding PD credits for the Choice sessions are expected to ensure that the learning is substantive and relevant and that the PD credits awarded are commensurate with the time spent attending to learning. No more than one (1) PD credit may be awarded per one (1) hour of learning. Teachers attending or presenting at state or national conferences should be awarded the maximum allowance of 3 PD credits, fulfilling the Choice PD requirement only. No PD credit will be awarded for courses earning college credits, completion of an advanced degree, completion of teacher certification, or stipend.

Does AP or IB training count for PD credit?

The initial AP or IB training necessary for teachers to teach AP or IB classes cannot count toward PD credits, since certification is achieved. Refresher classes may count for up to 3 Choice PD credits, with principal approval. The same applies for Gifted certification or any other initial certification necessary to teach a particular course.

What if I am receiving a stipend for a class?

No PD credits will be awarded if stipends are offered for the learning. Such classes will be coded with the prefix “Stipend” in the course title, and Stipend classes will not count toward PD Plans.

How will I be accountable to adhere to my PD Plan?

Each teacher is responsible for regularly maintaining and keeping track of his/her PD credits posted in My Learning Plan (MLP) and adherence to his/her specific PD Plan. Each teacher must provide his/her MLP transcript reflecting applicably earned PD credits and a copy of his/her PD Plan in a timely manner to his/her school designee to receive pay.

How can I track my PD Credits?

You can track your PD credits through our online professional development tool, My Learning Plan, at www.mylearningplan.com. After log in (full SCS email address for user name and last four digits of your social security number for password), click on “My Portfolio.” You will see four credit viewing options and the ability to print your learning history transcript. The main page will also show you sessions in which you are currently enrolled. Please keep in mind that SCS encourages you to be enrolled in ongoing learning spread throughout the school year.

What if I do not see my completed PD credits in My Learning Plan?

Please allow for 5-7 school days after the close of your learning session to view PD credits in My Learning Plan. If you still do not see credits posted, please contact your session instructor. He/she must take attendance in My Learning Plan (MLP) and send the completed sign-in sheet to Shirley Mason for online MLP credit posting and viewing. Ms. Mason will post MLP credits within 2 school days of sign-in roster receipt.

Can I use MLP for my professional learning & development that transpires inside the school day?

Yes, for substantive professional learning that takes place inside the school day, My Learning Plan should be used for enrollment and tracking of such classes, which are coded with the title prefix “PD Hours.” Because job-embedded learning is important to student achievement, local school and system-level administration may require school employees to take part in such learning. These PD Hours do not count as PD credits; thus, they are not eligible for “PD Plans.”

Can my earned PD credit and/or other approved professional development hours count toward my license recertification?

PD credits and approved professional development hours are eligible for license renewal IF they are not required for your job position. Contracted teachers are required to accomplish six (6) PD credits annually. PD credits and approved professional development hours above this required six (6) flex credits can be documented and used for license renewal. Very importantly, the renewal requirements must be met during the life of the license. If the license was issued in 2007 and the expiration date is 2017, a workshop that you attended in 2006 would not be eligible for recertification consideration. The website for the TN Department of Education is an excellent source of information regarding your license renewal. The address is: www.tennessee.gov/education/lic/

At the TN DOE site, please find the link entitled, "Renewing a TN Teaching License” in the center options. This link will lead you through the guidelines for renewal, the forms that are needed, and answer many of the questions that commonly arise. If you need additional assistance, please call 615-532-4885.

Can I request a My Learning Plan PD workshop/session?

Yes, with the collaboration and approval of your principal, you can request a Choice PD session (only) open to your school or district. To accomplish, confer with your assistant/vice principal to gain “instructor rights” in MLP; he/she may write Laura Link requesting to add you to MLP as a temporary instructor. Once you have “instructor rights,” fill out the PD workshop form in My Learning Plan with the assistance of your collaborating assistant/vice principal or your CTT, and refer to the attached “MLP Protocol” that outlines MLP instructor responsibilities.

What are my responsibilities as a My Learning Plan (MLP) instructor?

As a My Learning Plan instructor, you are responsible for ensuring a substantive and engaging learning opportunity for participants. Moreover, you are responsible for entering the learning request in MLP 2-3 weeks prior to your planned session, taking attendance in MLP, and sending the completed sign-in sheet to Shirley Mason at Oak ES within 3 days of your session’s close. Please refer to the attached “MLP Protocol” that outlines instructor responsibilities in greater detail.