Roxbury School District Professional Development Day

Over 500 teachers, supervisors, paraprofessionals, secretaries, custodians and administrators participated in the Roxbury Township Schools recent October 12 Professional Development Day. The day included a keynote address for all district staff and also workshop sessions for professional staff. The professional development day is one of two additional days included with the recent contract agreement. The second professional development day is scheduled for February 12.

            The day began with a key note address from Special Agent, Tonya DeSa, trainer for the FBI. Her presentation was “Identifying Warning Signs of School Violence”. Agent DeSa provided information for school staff members and entertained questions from the district audience. She is national trainer for the FBI and has presented at numerous national and state level training sessions. The Roxbury Township Police Department arranged for her presentation with the school district.

            Following the morning key note session, teachers, paraprofessionals, supervisors, and administrators participated in a series of workshops covering a wide variety of curricular and instructional topics. A total of 41 different sessions were offered over the course of the day. Topics included integrating technology through Smart Boards and software, assessment for learning, behavior management, differentiated instruction, grant writing, diversity topics, balanced literacy, and questioning strategies. Several special area articulation groups held sessions to review curriculum and plan for addressing assessments and curriculum implementation for the school year.

            Teaching staff, supervisors and administrators presented the sessions in a “conference-like” model for the day. Staff attended two workshops in a morning and afternoon schedule. Two online surveys, one in June and the second in September, were used to gather information and have staff “register” for workshop selections. Staff and administrator presenters were sought out to share their expertise and knowledge with colleagues. The collaboration and professionalism demonstrated on October 12 was a tremendous exhibition of the learning community at work in Roxbury Township’s schools.