Professional Development

Middletown Public Schools are committed to stellar professional development and has demonstrated a commitment to excellence. The Middletown district formally conducts an assessment of professional needs as an integral part of creating its professional development plan. Middletown's Professional Development Committee is a district wide committee consisting of several teachers and administrators. Four professional development days are scheduled each year. All four days are district based, usually divided according to grade level and/or area of specialization. Annually the District Professional Development Committee convenes for the purpose of conducting a comprehensive analysis of the district's and schools' needs assessment results. The plan's goals, objectives, and indicators of success are an integral part of this annual review.

Commodore Macdonough School teachers have participated in a variety of professional workshops during the past three years. The following is a brief description of some of these activities:

World of Difference Training - Year 1 & Year 2 Teachers were involved in discussions and presentations that guided all "individuals involved on a journey toward a world where we no longer use our differences as a wedge that divide us, but to move toward a world where we celebrate our differences and similarities, creating bridges that will unite us through the future" (Sharon Chappelle & Lisa Bigman, Diversity in Action, 1998.)

First Steps Reading Process - Teachers spent two days being trained on the use of the First Steps Reading Process. The First Steps Reading Process can be utilized by staff members as a resource to add to the plethora of materials they presently use.

4 Step Intervention Process - This process allows for teachers to train other teachers while providing a partner model for assisting students in need socially, emotionally or academically. It refines the existing Child Study Team process and allows for immediate response from peers.

Crisis Intervention Training - Teachers and paraprofessionals registered for this training initiative conducted by Lawrence School staff to assist teachers in dealing with students whose behavior is erratic and unpredictable. The strategies explored allow the participants to practice implementing various structures for a diverse group of students.

Technology Times Workshops -RESCs (Regional Education Service Centers) provided workshops to staff at various times of the school year and on a variety of technology and computer topics.

Middletown Professional Development Technology Workshops - A listing of approximately 81 workshops were offered to teachers during the 1999-2000 school year to assist teachers in developing skills and incorporating technology into the curriculum.

ACES On-line Diversity/Writing Workshops - Macdonough's fourth grade teachers have received a grant that matches our fourth grade with a fourth grade from out of our school district. Together they will use E-mail, visit each other's schools, attend field trips and learn skills to enhance student writing.

SERC -Special Education/Regular Education Collaboration - A Macdonough fifth grade teacher and our special education teacher have agreed to attend professional development training to assist them in improving their existing collaborative teaching.

Here's Looking At You 2000 - All teachers have received training in this substance abuse prevention program. Here's Looking At You 2000 is a national program which teaches decision-making skills, self-esteem, and drug/alcohol/tobacco awareness.

CT's State Department of Education BEST Mentoring & Assessor Training - Macdonough has four teachers who have successfully completed the mentoring training program conducted by the State Department of Education. During the past two years, these teachers have accepted and supported not only beginning teachers within our school but also student teachers from Central Connecticut State University. Macdonough also has one teacher and a principal who has been successfully trained as BEST Assessors.

Middletown is also unique in providing an ongoing professional development model where teachers are brought to a training center approximately once a month. This time is utilized to assist teachers' development of literacy skills in the area of language arts and mathematics. This opportunity provides teachers with a designated time to discuss curriculum and how it relates to student achievement and learning with various Middletown colleagues of the same grade level. This shared time allows staff to grow personally and professionally with support.

Macdonough teachers, our principal and our School Improvement Committee passionately support all professional development activities. Commodore Macdonough School's success is based on the commitment, support and involvement of all members and serves as a model.

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Email to Commodore Macdonough Elementary School , cmmdr.mcdngh.elm.sch@snet.net