Professional development
Both the teachers and the Principal at Explorer design, research and implement the school’s professional learning. At the time of writing a math committee is working with Rusty Bresser at UCSD in order to examine the math that is taught throughout the school, introduce Common Core and develop best practice. A social emotional committee is working on further developing the social emotional curriculum at the school, a professional development committee has restructured our meeting schedules.
In addition to small group committees, the school also works as a group to address professional development needs. Whilst teachers in grade levels collaborate to different degrees, this whole group collaboration is extremely important to the school. In September 2013, we developed the habits of an Explorer student (explained here), we have also worked together to design projects, read and discuss books (including The Power of Our Words by P. Denton, Teaching Children to Care by R. Charney and An Ethic of Excellence by R. Berger) and decide upon the standards that we wish to adopt as a school.
In addition to small group committees, the school also works as a group to address professional development needs. Whilst teachers in grade levels collaborate to different degrees, this whole group collaboration is extremely important to the school. In September 2013, we developed the habits of an Explorer student (explained here), we have also worked together to design projects, read and discuss books (including The Power of Our Words by P. Denton, Teaching Children to Care by R. Charney and An Ethic of Excellence by R. Berger) and decide upon the standards that we wish to adopt as a school.