Course Number: PRC 571
Course Title: PRC 571
Course Instructor: Jerome Ward
Course Description:
Continuous and meaningful professional development is vital to a school’s success; therefore, school administrators and teacher leaders are responsible for developing and maintaining a dynamic school culture that encourages all stakeholders to be part of a professional community that encourages and supports the school’s mission and the improvement of student learning. This course will examine the importance of professional growth and development to school improvement, especially noting the roles of school administrators and teacher leaders in implementing, monitoring, and sustaining a professional community. Topics will include: a) The Need for and Benefits of Professional Communities; b) Orchestrating Professional Communities; c) Challenges; d) Using Small Groups to Introduce Initiatives for Change; e) The Importance of Teacher Leadership in Sustaining Professional Community; f) Personal and Group Reflection.