FURTHER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHERS

Succasunna, NJ, December 10, 2007…Nearly 100 staff members from the Roxbury School District are participating in the after school Professional Development series which provides additional learning opportunities and resources for teachers. 

A variety of courses are available for teachers to choose from ranging from computers to prejudice reduction to behavior management.   Sixteen courses, including six new topics, were available this year. These programs are offered after school hours and teachers are enthusiastically participating after a long day in the classroom.

The State of New Jersey mandates teachers complete one hundred hours of professional development every five years.  Madame Rosellen Michelson, a French Teacher at Roxbury High School, says she loves taking classes here in Roxbury!  “It is a wonderful way to grow as a teacher and to be aware of new ideas. The new classes are a great way to educate an educator,” said Madame Michelson. 

Two courses she took this fall were about diversity, “The world and our classrooms are constantly changing with students from numerous areas around the world! Prejudice, tolerance and acceptance of one another is so important today, so taking these classes was informative, eye opening and helpful,” added Madame Michelson. 

She also attended the NJEA teacher's convention in November in Atlantic City.  “I like to see all the new materials and meet with the publisher's of our French book series Discovering French Bleu, Blanc & Rouge.   The publisher is McDougal Littell. I did take a workshop from Dan Battisti- At Last-World Language Learning that Lasts. The convention was terrific.  It was fun, informative and I received useful information to use in my classes,” commented Madame Michelson.

Curriculum Supervisor, Danielle Lynch feels the staff has a variety of learning opportunities. “The Roxbury Public Schools staff is fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in a variety of professional development activities.  The in-district training inniative that we have embarked on has enhanced each and every educator's toolbox of teaching strategies.  Having the chance to learn and collaborate on the applications of these strategies is valuable to the staff, as educational professionals, and in turn will positively impact the education of Roxbury's students.”