Professional Learning

At TCS we believe in ongoing job-embedded professional learning through the support of coaches and Professional Learning Communities. Lasting impact results when educators engage in practices that focus on collective educator efficacy and learning in collaborative communities. To foster this learning we commit to structures that support collaboration and organize learning opportunities at school to ensure lasting impact. Individuals in leadership roles will attend conferences as needed to further their knowledge to support and train the rest of the staff.

 

Support for Academic Teaching staff

  • Coaches

At TCS, we believe that everyone deserves a coach. Therefore, we have Instructional Coaches that support staff in the areas of instruction, literacy, classroom environment, and technology. The coaches support teachers through individual coaching cycles, team coaching cycles, curriculum development and staff development sessions.

 

Professional Learning Opportunities on campus

  • Professional Learning Communities

All teachers participate in weekly PLC (Professional Learning Communities) with their team focused on student learning and strategies to support students.

  • School-hosted professional learning

Each year we host different workshops offered by outside organizations that are open to staff to apply to attend. Some examples of workshops we have hosted are: Cognitive Coaching, WIDA International Institute , Child Protection Level I training, and Restorative Justice Level 1 Training.

  • Professional Learning Days

Each year we have 8-9 days dedicated to professional learning on campus. On these days, we learn as a staff through workshops aligned to our Strategic Plan, host “Teachers-Teaching-Teachers” workshops and workshops offered by outside organizations.

  • SUNY Buffalo Master’s Degree>

Staff at TCS can choose to enroll in a Master’s Degree program offered on campus. The program is A Masters of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies Degree from SUNY Buffalo completed over 3 school years. This program is heavily subsidized by TCS and currently costs $250 per course for a total of $2,500 for a Master’s degree (the cost is reviewed on a yearly basis and subject to change).

Professional Learning Opportunities off campus

  • Staff can apply to attend local conferences or conferences abroad that support their role. However, we limit attendance to conferences as we believe in job-embedded on campus learning.

 

  • Online Professional Learning

We encourage staff to pursue learning through webinars and virtual courses. We often have several staff members participate in the same webinar/course and form a learning community to discuss how to apply what they have learned.