PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER GROWTH
12 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER GROWTH
Self-assessment (i.e., understanding your own strengths and weaknesses) is critical for those entering a career in education. Educators who are committed to personal excellence through continuous improvement (e.g., addressing personal areas of weakness) are especially valued. Continuing education to address weaknesses and build on strengths can position one successfully for professional advancement and leadership opportunities.
In each of the 101 career descriptions a brief overview of continuing education requirements was provided. As a general rule of thumb, when a certificate or a license is secured for employment there is a need to demonstrate involvement in regular and ongoing formal professional development activities. The reason for this is simple: Knowledge and best practices evolve.
The evolving body of knowledge with respect to a discipline that is largely funded by public tax dollars makes professional development not only important, but absolutely necessary. Ultimately, requiring continuing education for certification/licensure renewal is a means to protect the public and enhance the value of educational services. Individuals in industry or government agencies also must be up to date with their knowledge in order to maintain relevance and importance to their organizations.
Individuals who are working in the field of education with a bachelor’s degree may choose to complete graduate coursework to earn a master’s or doctoral degree. This additional training typically is meant to enhance one’s ability to perform within his or her current roles and responsibilities. These graduate educational pursuits can provide familiarity with contemporary teaching practices and enhance discipline-specific knowledge.
There are also a number of salary benefits to furthering one’s education, especially for those who are working in schools. Large financial incentives or significant merit increases to retain exceptional educators have not traditionally been a part of public schools (e.g., Head Start, K–12 systems, universities). Earning an advanced degree is one way to step up on a district’s salary scale, or it can provide a competitive edge in securing a higher paying position in a different educational system (e.g., industry, government). Large jumps in salary within public education careers are often only afforded to those who can demonstrate their value to other educational systems.
Career growth opportunities are plentiful in the field of education, as is evident in many of the 23 career interviews featured in this book. Those interviewees provide specific examples of the mobility afforded to individuals with the talents and skills of an educator. They show how career changes are possible within an educational system or across systems (e.g., school districts, businesses, government agencies).
The volume of pending retirements of a large segment of current leaders within all educational systems won’t be filled by only hiring personnel new to the system. This need for future leaders in schools will require training and education of those who are already a part of the system. This need for internal career development especially highlights the importance and focus that will be placed on continuing education in the decade to come.
Knowing that professional advancement and continuing education are important and necessary parts of the field of education, the big question becomes how to effectively and efficiently update the workforce’s knowledge and skills. Educational technology and distance education (i.e., online courses) have revolutionized this process. The possibilities for continuous improvement in professional development approaches through the use and investigation of technological effectiveness appear endless.
A new discipline has emerged in the area of instructional effectiveness, learner outcomes, and educational technology. The recent substantial growth in this emerging area within education led to our focus on a handful of educational technology careers within this book. The increased science and study of effectiveness of online instructional approaches is just beginning. The data are emerging daily on these teaching practices and will further improve this promising method of continuing education in the years ahead.
Online education and educational technology have the potential to fill educators’ need for continuing education expectations within the time demands of the profession. Many opportunities are available for continuing education during the summer months. In addition, the advent of online education and the availability of evening courses allow individuals to seek these learning opportunities during the school year. Many local community colleges and regional/national universities now offer these courses. In addition, many professional associations sponsor continuing education credit opportunities through podcasts, seminars, conferences, webinars, and other web-based techniques.
The ease of knowledge dissemination and availability of resources on the Internet also appear to be making a big difference in improving the knowledge and training of current educators. Numerous foundations and government-supported agencies are in place to promote effective educational practices. Although there are many sources available, we have selected four to briefly feature in our book. These include the following:
What Works Clearinghouse (ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc). The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) is funded by the Institute of Educational Sciences (IES), a division of the Department of Education. The purpose of the WWC is to provide educators with the information necessary to make data-based decisions about their practices. The website of the WWC provides a repository of information on the research associated with educational practices, programs, products, and policies. Using the metric of “high-quality research,” the WWC provides guidance as to which instructional practices actually make a difference in the field of education. The WWC is organized by topic and is quite diverse in its coverage. Examples of specific topics reviewed include math, literacy, science, dropout prevention, educational technology, early childhood education, teacher effectiveness, and school choice.
Center for Public Education (www.centerforpubliceducation.org). The Center for Public Education (CPE) is associated with the National School Boards Association and the National School Boards Foundation. The center is a national resource for information about public education and its importance within our country. The CPE provides up-to-date research, data, and analysis of current education-related issues. The primary focus of this analysis is to explore ways to improve student achievement. By providing this important information to the public, the mission of the CPE is to increase support for public schools. Numerous helpful resources on school improvement are available to school personnel to assist with continuing education. Resources provided include original studies and reviews of education research. Examples of school districts’ application of research-based practices are also highlighted. Helping the public to understand education terminology, statistics, and unique school-related topics is also a major focus of the work of the CPE.
Edutopia (www.edutopia.org). Edutopia is funded by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, which was created by George Lucas, the famous movie director. As found on the Edutopia website, the mission and purpose of the foundation is to think creatively about how to best help students learn. The foundation’s focus on professional development is especially geared primarily at educators and school leaders (see www.edutopia.org/teacher-development). The website includes a set of diverse blogs, videos related to professional development, and features on important topics commonly associated with continuing education within the teaching profession (e.g., game-based learning, differentiated instruction, culturally relevant teaching, formative assessment). The foundation also supports a research division, called George Lucas Research, with a mission to build evidence for innovative teaching practices.
Education Week Teacher PD Sourcebook (www.edweek.org/tsb). This professional development website is associated with the publication Education Week, which is funded by the nonprofit group Editorial Projects in Education (EPE). The EPE produces a number of publications and online products associated with K–12 education. The mission of the EPE is to raise awareness and understanding of critical issues facing teachers and schools in the United States. The Teacher PD Sourcebook provides valuable information and resources to educators pertaining to more than 35 topics. Examples include blended learning, character education, social–emotional learning, at-risk students, special education, English language learning, Response to Intervention (RtI), classroom management, and all major aspects of education (reading, writing, math). Access to publications, webinars, and professional conference opportunities are among the many methods provided to teachers to promote their continuing education.