The Importance of Professional Development for Teachers

Professional development for teachers is something that makes many groan.

It is not because we have some inherent resistance to improving ourselves and our teaching abilities but because, with so many things already piled on our plates, professional development can often seem like just one more thing we have to do.

It is vital, then, that we remember the importance of professional development and how actively continuing this endeavour can improve our professional lives as well as our curriculum.

Professional Development For Teachers Helps Us Avoid Getting Stale

One of the biggest benefits of professional development is that it helps us overcome stagnation.

When in the trenches of everyday teaching, there are a million things we have to do to keep up – teaching, grading, classroom management, new textbooks and technology, parental contact, etc.

With all of these obligations, just pulling out the materials and methods that we have used in previous years is the efficient way to go.

Unfortunately, this method does not inspire change or creativity and does not encourage growth.

Professional development is one way to fight this stagnation. Whether an online workshop like my Lit Launch Reading Engagement Framework or a seminar on methodology offered by your local university, professional development helps us continually think about what we teach and how we teach it.

Professional Development For Teachers Helps Us Meet Like-Minded People

The second benefit of continued professional development is the opportunity to meet and interact with other like-minded individuals.

I love meeting new people, especially teachers who are passionate about their craft.

Maybe it is a presenter who is particularly inspiring as they discuss the topic they are presenting, maybe it is the motivating energy that permeates the halls and convention floor of a large conference, or maybe it is just sitting next to and making friends with people who are in the same field and have similar philosophies to you own.

These are not small things – this inspiration, this motivating energy, and these friendships are things that keep us going and growing as teachers. Don’t discount their importance.

I have created three different opportunities for professional development for teachers.

A Teacher’s Guide to Classroom Libraries Free eBook

Learn about why classroom libraries are still super important in the digital age and how you can build one. I break everything down with helpful tips so that each step will feel affordable and manageable!

How to Use Podcasts in the Classroom Free 30-Minute Video Workshop

Want to try using podcasts with your students but are not sure where to start? Maybe you already use podcasts but want more ideas on how to use them with your students? With this resource for professional development for teachers, workshop attendees will come away with practical ideas on how to integrate podcasts into existing lesson plans.

Lit Launch: Middle School Reading Engagement Workshop 3-Hour Workshop

Are you a middle school teacher who wants to improve your student’s reading engagement? Then this self-paced workshop is for you! This professional development for teachers workshop will help middle school teachers transform their reading instruction in just over 3 hours.

With so many things vying for our time, it is easy to forget the importance of professional development.

Next time that flyer shows up in your mailbox or that email shows on your phone, give it a second look.

You may find that you benefit from it more than you imagined. Find the Lit Launch: Middle School Reading Engagement Workshop on Shopify CAD or Teachers Pay Teachers USD.