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    DPI: Online Professional Development

    Overview:

    Halifax County Schools encourages educators to participate in ongoing professional development to refine their craft as well as learn new skills through continuing education and career training. It can include taking classes or workshops, attending professional or industry conferences, or earning a certificate to expand knowledge in a chosen field. 

    Need to Know:

    Professional Development Goal: To improve the instructional program and create a safe learning environment for all students by improving and expanding the skills of the professional staff and support personnel  

    I. The district provides ongoing development opportunities for licensed and support staff and requires participation by such personnel as appropriate.  The staff is surveyed for input into professional and staff development offerings.  School administrators also seek input from their staff when planning professional development for school personnel.

    Professional/staff development includes all topics required by law or board policy, including but not limited to:

    1. the effective delivery of the required curriculum and subjects as required by G.S. 115C-81.45(d) and -81.20(f);
    2. a program of technology-related professional development as required by policy 3220, Technology in the Educational Program; and
    3. a mental health training program, which includes all components required by G.S. 115C-375.20G.S. 115C-376.5(d), and State Board of Education Policy SHLT-003 (see policies 4240/7312, Child Abuse and Related Threats to Child Safety, and 6120, Student Health Services).

    II.. Self-Improvement

    Licensed employees are expected to engage in self-directed activities to improve their professional skills.  These employees are encouraged to seek information and training through professional development programs as well as other opportunities in order to meet this responsibility.

    III. Plans for Growth and Improvement

    Supervisors and principals also may require licensed employees to enter into plans, including mandatory improvement plans established by state law and individual, monitored and/or directed growth plans established by the State Board of Education, for professional growth and improving performance.  (See policy 7811, Plans for Growth and Improvement of Licensed Employees.)  A performance improvement plan could involve participation in a professional development program or encompass a variety of strategies that are related to professional growth or improving performance. 

    IV. Payment of Costs

    The district will consider paying reasonable costs, within budget limits, for any courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, in-service training sessions, or other sessions an employee is required to attend by the local administration.  The employee must seek prior approval for payments. The district will not bear the responsibility of the cost of training taken solely for the purposes of licensure renewal.

    V. The NC Professional Teaching Standards #5 states the following: Teachers link professional growth to their professional goals. Teachers participate in continued, high-quality professional development that reflects a global view of educational practices; includes 21st-century skills and knowledge; aligns with the State Board of Education priorities; and meets the needs of students and their own professional growth.             

    Explore: Free DPI Course Offerings Link

    The Department of Public Instruction (NC DPI) provides professional development courses for educators. These courses are free. Professional learning is an important aspect of effective educator practice. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education recognize this responsibility and are committed to supporting our state’s educators as they seek to refine their instructional and professional practices. NCDPI is pleased to offer a variety of meetings, professional development options, and technical assistance opportunities to meet the vast needs of educators within our state. Please check back often to see what new events and conferences are planned to serve you. DPI Events Calendar 

    All Online Professional Development is available through Home Base.

    (Video Link)

    Detailed models are provided in the Implementation Guide.

    • Credit types: All courses are marked in the NCEES PD System for general credit. However, courses may be appropriate for additional credit types as listed: G = general, L = literacy, DL = digital learning

    Flexible and Collaborative

    • “Self-paced” courses don’t have to be done alone! They can be implemented in a variety of ways. We recommend professional learning communities (PLCs), whether online, offline, or in a hybrid format, but teachers can use the courses for self-directed learning.
    • Districts and charter schools with access to Home Base can teach local sections of most instructor-led courses. Access to Canvas will be provided, but the LEA must provide a trained and qualified instructor for each section. Only learners enrolled by the LEA in question will be enrolled in that section of the course.

    Things to Remember:

      1. There is no cost to school districts or educators to take these courses. Any public LEA or charter school in North Carolina may use the courses.
      2. All materials needed to complete the courses are provided online. You must have reliable connectivity. Technology requirements are listed at the beginning of each course.
      3. Self-paced courses and mini-courses will be available throughout the school year. You may begin at any time. Each course requires a different amount of time for completion. Please refer to the descriptions of specific courses below for approximate completion times.

    Credit will be awarded on the PD system transcript upon successful completion of courses housed in Home Base. Educators may also print a Certificate of Completion for their records and present to the Staff Development Contact within their school for CEUs. The final award of CEUs must be approved by the local education agency (school district or charter school). Central office staff may ask to see work products for self-paced courses before awarding credit. (See lists provided here on the page for each course.) Please note that unless explicitly marked otherwise, all courses are recommended for general credit, but credit type may be overridden by local authority.

    For questions, contact Dr. Geetanjali Soni, Director of Teaching & Learning, at geetanjali.soni@ncpublicschools.gov

    Course Titles CEUs Type
    21st-Century Mentoring 1 G
    Action Research for the Classroom: An Introduction 2 G
    Administrator Guide to Effective School Counseling and Evaluation 0.5 G
    An Introduction to Online Teaching and Content Development: Self-paced 2 G, DL
    Assessing Digital Tools 1 G, DL
    Building a Strong Foundational Academic Vocabulary in Elementary Classrooms: Action Research from the GTN Project 1 G, L
    Building and Sustaining Professional Development 1 G
    Coaching to Lead: Strategies for Effective Mentor Practice 0.5 G
    Connecting with Today's Learners 1 G, DL

    Copyright in the K-12 Classroom

    1 G, DL

    A wealth of additional pages of professional development offerings are included on the webpage Link; DPI Event Calendar

    a.