Summertime Professional Learning in the RCSD

While the summer months are typically a quieter time for teachers and staff, many see it as a chance to continue their own education. This summer, 109 members of the RCSD faculty and staff took advantage of a variety of District-provided professional learning opportunities.

In late June, 47 teachers attended the fourth annual two-day Learning Institute. The focus this year was on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. The two-day session sought to build AI literacy to help teachers critically evaluate, question, and refine AI-generated content for thoughtful and responsible use. Teachers learned how to integrate AI into student and teacher practice to deepen inquiry, analysis, and reflection across all disciplines.

In July, 23 K-12 teachers participated in a virtual course where they listened to a curated collection of education-related podcasts and then completed independent assignments that allowed them to connect with their fellow teachers to reflect on and share their learnings. This was a first-time offering, and proved to be highly successful, given it allowed teachers to listen and learn as time allowed.

In mid-August, 20 teachers participated in a book study of The Knowledge Gap: The Hidden Cause of America’s Broken Education System--and How to Fix it, by Natalie Wexler. The book explores how intense focus on decontextulized reading comprehension skills in the elementary school curriculum negatively impacts our education system - and how innovative educators are changing this fundamental flaw.

Also in August, teachers grades 6-12 participated in a day-long training session where they explored practical, research-based social-emotional learning strategies to support strong classroom culture all year long, and a group of K-12 teachers took a class on how to use the District’s interactive Promethean boards to enhance instruction.

Teachers and staff who weren’t able to take advantage of the summer offerings have a whole array of learning opportunities throughout the school year.