Professional Learning
All SD Catholic schools are encouraged to participate fully in the NSBECS-aligned SD Catholic Professional Learning Plan.
A Definition of Professional Learning
Professional Learning is defined as the means by which educators develop new knowledge, skills, and practices necessary to better meet students’ learning needs.
Mission of Professional Learning in SD Catholic Schools
The Diocese of San Diego is committed to investing in continuous professional learning that is standards-focused, research-based, and improves administrative leadership, teaching quality, and student achievement.
Vision for Teaching and Learning in SD Catholic Schools
SD Catholic school educators use practices anchored in research-based methodology focused on all learners. Assessment is frequent and varied, integrated into the teaching/learning process, and informs curriculum planning and development.
Standards for Professional Learning
Click here to access the Learning Forward PL Standards utilized in the design of the SD Catholic PL Plan.
Professional Learning Plan Resources
(1) Teacher Clarity
Teacher Clarity
Teacher clarity is both a method and a mindset, and it has an impressive effect size of 0.88 (Hattie, 2020). “It’s teaching that is organized and intentional. It brings a forthrightness and fairness to the classroom because student learning is based on transparent expectations. And when we are clear, our students can better plan and predict, set goals, and acquire a stronger sense of how to judge their own progress.“
-Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, Olivia Amador, & Joseph Assof
SD Catholic Leads: Administrators John Amann, Sara Odioso & Elizabeth Joseph; Teacher Liaison Team member Tori Franklin
(2) Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Universal Design for Learning Resources
UDL is Universal Design for Learning, an education framework based on decades of research in neuroscience and endorsed by the Every Student Succeeds Act. UDL is considered best practice for teaching all students in an inclusive learning environment. With UDL, teachers must provide: multiple means of engagement, multiple means of representation, & multiple means of action & expression.
- Novak Educational Consulting
PL Lead Facilitator: Dr. Katie Novak, Novak Consulting, https://www.novakeducation.com/
SD Catholic Leads: Administrator Teresina Ruiz and Teacher Liaison Haley Mendes
(3) Content Area Site Leadership
History Social Science Site Leader (SSL) Resources
Coming soon!
Early Literacy Site Leader (UFLI) Resources
We recognize the role of instructional leadership is not limited to the principal. As such, we leverage the strengths of teachers from within our diocese to improve student learning. Teacher leaders from our schools are essential in the implementation of diocesan-wide and school-based initiatives. Teacher Site Leaders (i.e., Science Site Leaders, Math Site Leaders, & Literacy/Social Science Site Leaders) serve as teachers, learners, and leaders to advance the academic goals and priorities of the school and diocese (NSBECS Standards 6 & 7).
-SD Catholic Content Area Site Leader Background
PL Lead Facilitators:
History/Social Science, Matt Hayes, SDCOE, matt.hayes@sdcoe.net
Early Literacy - UFLI - University of Florida Literacy Institute: https://ufli.education.ufl.edu/
SD Catholic Leads:
History/Social Science - Teacher Liaison Elsa Bremer, Administrator John Amann, Social Studies Lead Teachers Brittany Bateman, Maureen Tromley, and Kyle Lira
Early Literacy (UFLI) - Teacher Liaison Melissa Fugitt
(4) Culture of Data
Culture of Data Resources
SD Catholic Leads: Associate Superintendent Elijah Bonde; Teacher Liaisons Rachel Miller and Nicole Rogers
(5) Accelerating Learning
Accelerating Learning Resources
"Engaging in the ongoing process of curriculum mapping gives students a current and dynamic curriculum that is vertically and horizontally aligned. It also gives teachers a consistent opportunity to document curricular changes and decisions based on student data."
-Rubicon Atlas on the importance of Curriculum Mapping
References:
Erickson, H. L., & Lanning, L. A. (2014). Transitioning to concept-based curriculum and instruction: How to bring content and process together. Corwin.
Jacobs, H. H. (Ed.). (2004). Getting Results with Curriculum Mapping. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Wiggins, G. P., & McTighe, J. (2005). Understanding by Design, Expanded 2nd Edition. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
PL Lead Facilitators: Kelby Zenor & Marie Mugabe
SD Catholic Leads: Teacher Liaisons Amy Sohaey and Teresa McKinney
Previous Content Area Site Leadership Resources
SD Catholic Leads: Teacher Liaisons Tori Franklin & Nicole Rogers
SD Catholic Leads: Teacher Liaison Teresa McKinney; Science Site Leader Vicki Burke
PL Lead Facilitator: Science, John Spiegel, SDCOE, john.spiegel@sdcoe.net