The Jefferson City Board of Education values professional development for its faculty, and is
committed to providing systematic professional development for beginning and practicing teachers.
The specific focus for the professional development program will be determined by the results of
the long-range planning process or identified student needs relating to performance. The Board
will support the professional development committee, will provide a professional development plan
for beginning teachers and will provide in-service opportunities for all practicing teachers.
Adequate time and funds will be included in the district's yearly calendar and budget to support
the programs.
Professional Development Committee
Responsibilities
The professional development committee shall work with beginning teachers and experienced
teachers in identifying instructional concerns and remedies; assist beginning teachers with
implementation of their professional development plan; serve as a confidential consultant upon a
teacher's request, as allowed by law; arrange training programs for mentors; assess faculty needs;
develop in-service opportunities for school staff; and present the coordinator of professional
development activities with faculty suggestions, ideas and recommendations pertaining to
classroom instruction within the school district.
Work by the committee will be done in consultation with district administration. Programs
selected by the committee will reflect the results of any needs-assessment survey results and
coordinate with the district comprehensive school improvement plan.
Structure
The committee shall have no more than 17 members, with membership on the committee spread
across disciplines and attendance centers.
Committee members shall be certificated staff members with at least three (3) years of teaching
experience and at least two (2) years in the Jefferson City school district. Professional
development committee members will be selected for three-year terms. Terms shall be staggered
so that approximately one-third of the committee will be selected each year. New members shall
be selected no later than January 31 annually, training will be accomplished by April 30, and
service will begin on May 1.
Committee members shall be selected by the classroom teachers, librarians and counselors of the
district. Administrators may be selected to serve on the committee, but may not participate in the
selection process.
The committee will evaluate the district's in-service program at least annually.
Assistance for New Teachers
In order to help beginning teachers polish their skills, improve their chances for success, and
encourage them to stay in the profession, the Jefferson City school district will provide a
professional development plan for each faculty member who has no teaching experience. The plan
will address the teacher's first two (2) years in the classroom, and the goals identified in the plan
will relate to the evaluation criteria used by the district. Copies of the initial plan and all
subsequent revisions shall be filed in the new teacher's building, to be readily available to the
teacher and mentor for review and updating.
Beginning teachers will participate in an entry-year mentor program, and will be assigned a
mentor, who will initiate preparation of the beginning teacher's professional development plan,
and will help the teacher tailor the plan to his or her needs as soon as appropriate.
Mentors must have five (5) years of teaching experience, and be willing to be trained as a mentor.
The building principal will be responsible for selecting and placing mentors.
The superintendent or his or her designee will notify the appropriate colleges or universities when
their graduates are hired. A coordinated plan for seminars and visitations for first- and second-year teachers will be developed by the district and higher education representatives.
Assistance for Practicing Teachers
The district's professional development committee shall assess the in-service needs of practicing
teachers annually. The assessment instrument shall be selected by the committee. Once identified,
faculty concerns and needs should be categorized by areas such as building, grade level or subject,
and the committee should prepare a recommendation for addressing the identified needs and
improving classroom instruction in the district.
* * * * * * *
Note: The reader is encouraged to review policies and/or forms for related information in
this administrative area.
Implemented: 09/10/1990
Revised: 07/18/1991; 03/01/2007
Jefferson City School District, Jefferson City, Missouri
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