June 13, 2023 By Carol Britton Meyer
Interim Supt. of Schools Kathryn (Katie) Roberts presented the 2023-2025 Hingham Public Schools “Continuous Cycle of Learning” Professional Development Plan to the School Committee Monday night, which met with unanimous approval.
The plan centers around a vision statement that professional development offerings will be “purposeful, collaborative, and responsive to the needs of educators, with a focus on the inclusion and success of all students.”
While developing and leveraging internal capacity and leadership, there will also be partnering with outside organizations “to further areas for strategic growth.”
The plan was developed by members of the HPS Professional Development Committee in conjunction with HPS educators and administrators and is directly aligned to the vision of the HPS Strategic Plan.
Running parallel with the Professional Development Plan are the HPS Technology Plan and soon-to-be-published HPS Equity Audit and associated plan. Many of the goals developed for the technology and equity plans have professional development implications.
“Together, these documents provide a road map for professional learning in our district as we strive to implement the most current research-based practices,” the plan states.
As background, professional development surveys were drafted by members of the HPS Professional Development Committee and administered to elementary and secondary educators in January 2023.
These surveys will help inform the development of the FY24 professional development plan and related catalog of professional development offerings for the 2023-2024 school year.
A total of 277 HPS faculty members, including 107 elementary and 170 secondary staff, responded to the survey. Input regarding technology-related professional development needs was gathered through separate surveys administered by the district Technology Task Force.
Professional development plan goals include:
- implementation of high-quality curriculum and universally designed instruction and inclusive and culturally responsive practices in all classrooms;
- fostering a safe and supportive school environment;
- mentoring and leadership development.
Besides Roberts, the Professional Development Committee consists of Supt. of Schools Margaret Adams; Director of English Language Arts Mary Andrews; Director of Fine Arts, Joann Bellis; Director of Science Michelle Romano; K-5 Writing Specialist Monica Matthews; Grade 1 teacher, Plymouth River School, Nancy Bucey; Special Educator, PRS, Cassandra Pacella; South School Asst. Principal Lori Jacobs; and Hingham High School Asst. Principal Nicole Nosek.