Professional Development for Teachers: 101 Complete Guide

If you are a teacher and looking for professional development, let me tell you are at right place. I will cover every aspect of professional development for teachers, so at the end you will have a clear idea about it.

Learning never stops, and this is true for me too. When it comes to professional development for teachers, it even becomes more important than just gaining general knowledge about a particular topic.

Teachers are the first source of knowledge for young minds, and that’s why you as a teachers are expected to know it all.

As a mentor or guide providing information and satisfying student’s curiosity is the topmost priority for you as a teachers.

In order to do so you need to learn fast and keep updated your knowledge. Thus educators and teachers you need to develop relevant professional skills throughout your careers.

Now, teacher professional development works for both teachers and students, it helps teachers to progress in their professional careers.

For the professional development of teachers, the school administration staff also needs to contribute to finding out and arranging on-site programs for all the teachers.

The development of teachers is a collective effort of the school and you as a teacher. There are many professional development teaching institutes with good offerings, I suggest you should explore them.

After COVID-19 we have seen considerable change in the use of the internet and other supporting technology in the education field.

Schools and teachers both need to put effort to cope-up with this changing environment.

What is Professional Development of Teachers?

For a teacher personal development is about enhancing their skills and learning new ways and innovative methods to teach and guid students.

This will also help to enhance classroom environments and learning experiences for students. So, have development-related professional goals for teachers on your list.

Professional Development Process In Education

• Identify your need/requirement
• Set a goals
• Find a mentor
• Take course/learning
• Implement learnings & Assess your work

Professional development of teachers is a cyclic process and you do it every year and keep improving yourself.

Teachers Strengths And Areas Of Improvement

As part of first phase, Identifying your need/requirement you should know teachers strengths and weaknesses areas.

So, identify your strengths and weaknesses. Prepare the list of teacher strengths and weaknesses. This list will become your baseline for your needs for personal development.

Below is the example list of teacher strengths and weaknesses areas.

Strengths Area

• Creativity Skills
• Empathy or kindness
• Discipline
• Persistence
• Team Work

Weaknesses Area

• Lack of technical skill
• Perfectionism
• Fear of public speaking
• Poor work-life balance

Types Of  Professional Development For Teaching Staff

There are different ways to professional development for educators and teachers.

Courses/Workshops – Online And Offline

These are quick/short-term courses for teachers professional development designed keeping in mind a specific area or skill for teacher development.

You will find these types of PD are especially very helpful in learning latest developments and technology updates. These are available in in e-learning platforms and offline mode too.

Teacher workshops are focused/structured selected goals of professional development, like developing strategies, classroom management, and technology integration in the classroom.

Qualification programs

Pursuing a formal higher education degree such as a master’s or doctorate in education, is also a part of the professional development plan.

This formal education will help you in acquiring in-depth knowledge and understanding of the educational field.  

You can do specialization in a  specific area of education that adds value to the entire field as such, as you work on the research involved during the process it will bring out the new ideas.

Based on you career goals, you can pursue different degree programs.

Educational Seminars, Conferences, And Research Programs

Seminars for teachers and conferences are designed to address a specific topic/issue.

I like this format as it gives you a chance to listen to experienced people and also provides a opportunity to network in the field.

For example, a conference may be focused on curriculum development updates, upcoming education policy, and development in educational technology. This is also a great chance for you to exchange ideas and experiences with other teachers .

Mentoring/Coaching By Experienced People In The Field Of Education

You can request a veteran teacher or senior member of the educational field to guide you, support you, and provide feedback on your work and personal and professional development.

You may not meet your mentor daily, but you can have one-on-one sessions twice a month.

While working with a Coach involves doing activities together, the Coach will correct your mistakes on the field and sometimes may demonstrate through practice.

Experience Sharing With Other Institute Teachers

During this type of PD for teachers, you visit other schools learn new cultures, and observe new methods and techniques of teaching.

As a teacher you can visit other schools and observe their classroom management methods and techniques and learn from their experience.

Continuous Professional Development For Teachers (CPD)

Each teacher is expected to invest some amount of time in CPD programs, these are available online in various forms, and you can have free, paid, and in the form of newsletters.

These are ongoing learning sessions where you can enhance your skills and knowledge.

I suggest taking free professional development class for teachers before enrolling in the program, these free sessions give you a good idea of what to expect in the program.

Benefits of The Professional Development of Teachers (PD)

Develop Subject Matter Experts

While going through the PD process you have a great chance to develop subject matter expertise.

For instance, when you perceive your higher education you invest your time and energy to learn and research new things which makes you a subject matter expert.

Job Satisfaction

Delivering new ways of teaching and helping students with enhanced learning methods gives a you a satisfying experience. An the end you are more happy.

Teacher Motivation

The better opportunities for career enhancements, because of personal development it gives you motivation to take on this additional work for yourself.

Boost To The Careers As A Teacher

As a teacher when you develop yourself by completing your higher education it gives a boost to your career and you will find yourself with a lot of opportunities to grow.

Monetary Gain By Promotion/Increment

The higher education qualification and a new experience will qualify you for promotions and increments or enhance your chances for the same.

Network And Collaborate With Other Teachers

During your visits to other schools, seminars, and workshops, you will have a chance to meet new people and network and collaborate with them.

Leadership Skill Development

By taking up leadership development workshops and going through guidance by a mentor you will have a chance to develop your leadership skills .

Thus will also help you to progress in your career and develop leadership strengths.

Learning New And Better Ways Of Teaching

Participating in seminars which is a great way of knowing and learning new and better ways of teaching will enhance your skill and knowledge about current education industry changes.

Add New Skills To Resume

Your personal development efforts, the PD courses for teachers that you have completed the seminars which you have attended, and the completed higher education can be a part of your resume.

FAQ: Teacher Professional Development

Final words

Planning professional development for teacher is very important, I suggest takeout some time and plan your PD for a year.

This will not only save you time in the future but also give you a chance to plan and utilize your time better. Consider CPD training for teachers, as it’s a great way of learning new things.

If you could find nearby professional development classes for teachers visit and understand what they have to offer, if it is in line with your goals go for it.

Professional development courses for teachers are designed keeping your (teachers) needs in mind and they have experience in teaching professional development.

Professional Development Institute (PDI) is also one of the best option for your need, their course format is flexible which helps teachers to complete the course on time.

BER is another good resource you can explore.

I wish you all the best in your professional development journey, let me know your thoughts on above reading in comment section.