Professional development in the Junior School
Professional development (PD) in the Junior School has been a significant element that has driven the school to reach new levels of accomplishment and student growth and achievement. We firmly believe that teachers, too, need to be lifelong learners, and continually train themselves in many ways, to professionally grow and be abreast of current educational research, theories and practices.
This belief is greatly embodied in our practices. On a rotation basis, all our teachers have completed the mandated International Baccalaureate (IB)-recognised training that further helps them reflect on their classroom practices. One example is the recently held IB PD event at the Academy in July 2023. The newly recruited teachers underwent a two-day IB-recognised professional development on the campus, led by our Primary Years Programme (PYP) Coordinator, Mr Abhimanyu Das Gupta, an IB workshop leader. The staff discussed strategic goals, policies, and curriculum documents and planned ahead to improve practices and procedures in the school, as well as worked collaboratively to prepare for the delivery of the curriculum and make the learning environment engaging and welcoming. At the same time, the other Junior School teachers engaged in professional development through the week of in-service training (INSET), preparing to welcome and receive the students. They brainstormed and discussed issues pertaining to teaching and learning.
The school leadership team also has given us many online platforms to further our learning at our own pace. One of them is the Common Sense website, from which we use curricular content for our Digital Citizenship programme. Teachers have also been undergoing training in running these modules as Common Sense educators. Similarly, the CPD Academy, based in London, offers teachers a buffet of mini-workshops that strengthen their understanding of key pedagogical ideas like metacognition or growth mindset. These online courses allow teachers to refresh their understanding of these concepts and apply their new learning in their classroom contexts.
In our weekly collaborative meetings, teachers further enrich each other’s professional learning and study by sharing best practices from their classrooms. As a team, we also engaged in a year-long book study of Ron Ritchart’s ‘Creating Cultures of Thinking’ which not only allowed us to have an in-depth reflection on practices that promote the development of critical thinking skills but also polish a teacher’s skill and mastery in managing and facilitating learning.
This culture has been firmly set in our school, and it helps motivate teachers to look forward to their career growth in the Academy or sometimes even after leaving the Academy for a new job. It allows each teacher to blossom to their fullest potential and strive to do their very best in meeting the school’s motto of imparting excellence in learning.
Abhimanyu Das Gupta, PYP Coordinator
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