Teaching Tips with Reg Weaver

Professional Development

by Reg Weaver, President
National Education Association

Whether you're a beginning teacher or a veteran, we can all benefit from reviewing what we’ve done in the past and looking for new ways to strengthen our teaching skills.

I'm Reg Weaver – President of the National Education Association – And this teaching tip is about:  Professional Development

As we come to the end of the school year, review your certification status and any pending requirements. If you're unsure, contact your school district administration or your state department of education to get accurate and up-to-date information about upcoming requirements that you’ll need to meet to keep your certification current.

Be sure your certification or recertification file or portfolio is up to date and that all documentation is complete and safely filed or submitted. And never submit anything for certification or recertification without making a copy for your own records.

Attend an Association-sponsored workshop – or make plans for participating in curriculum work, taking a course, or taking some action that continues your professional growth through active participation in learning opportunities.

In addition to your membership in NEA – join a professional association in your discipline or field.

And make a resolution that you’ll attend at least one professional event during the coming school year.

Remember – the art of teaching is a moving target. What worked yesterday might not be successful tomorrow. Professional Development should be designed to make academic success more attainable for students – and teaching more effective for you.

VO:  Teaching Tips is a production of the National Education Association. New Teaching Tips appear on the NEA Web site each week during the school year.

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