Summer is a great time to really separate yourself from the job. Personally, I find teaching to be absolutely exhausting. So when summer comes I take it OFF!

Well….at least the first half of summer.

It is important for me to take the first half of summer completely off…think about it…we don’t get paid much, we don’t get Christmas bonuses, we work after school and on the weekends during the school year, but we do get our summer…that’s my bonus!

However, about half way through the summer my mind and body are ready to start thinking about the upcoming school year. Down here in Florida we are just about half way through.

With that said I came across a timely article in Marjan Glavac’s The Busy Educator Newsletter written by retired school principal Paul Jackson entitled: Invest in your P.D. Portfolio

You can read the article below…

Before you do though…if you don’t know anything about Paul Jackson or Marjan Glavac, let me tell you…these guys know there stuff! Last fall they came out with a teleseminar that was absolutely fantastic. It’s a series of four 90 minute recordings, a 166 page handout and 3 bonus products. If you’ve got a minute to spare right now, visit this page and you’ll get the whole story: http://teaching.telesem.hop.clickbank.net.

Enjoy the article:

—————–
Start Article
—————–
Invest in your P.D. Portfolio
Written by Paul Jackson

Classroom teachers and school administrators NEED to invest in their own Professional Development on a regular on-going basis. Educators have a difficult job that drains them of energy. P.D. helps rejuvenate!

Those outside education often see professional development of educators as a luxury that can easily and justifiably be withheld without affecting student learning. We educators know better!

There are ways that individual teachers and administrators can get regular on-going professional development.

They include:

*Reading professional magazines, books and articles

*Attending workshops, seminars, programs, lectures…

*Creating and/or participating in “discussion groups” of teachers in the school, in the district, on line chat rooms, informal get-togethers with other teachers…

*Involving yourself on committees and task forces

*Working with local, state, provincial, and national educational organizations

*Writing and publishing support materials or units of study for fellow teachers (sharing your expertise and experience)

And you can add to the list. If you truly desire and need P.D., YOU WILL FIND A WAY!

The Internet is a tremendous resource for teachers’ and administrators’ professional development opportunities. You can accomplish almost everything on the previous list using web sites, eZines, blogs, chat rooms, discussion groups, newsletters, programs and other resources (eBooks, books, DVD and CD programs, audio files, video presentations…) to provide yourself with professional development. No need to wait for someone else to provide it.

Choose your own form of professional development. Invest your money to meet your own needs. Take advantage of what the Internet has to offer like the program “How to Thrive and Survive in Your Classroom” found at http://teaching.telesem.hop.clickbank.net.

To maximize your P.D. activities beyond personalizing them to your needs, keep an accurate and up-to-date record of everything you do. Request certificates or letters of acknowledgement or receipts after you complete your activities. How to Thrive and Survive in Your Classroom provides a certificate of completion and will, on request, mail a cover letter and certificate to your supervisor for inclusion in your professional portfolio.

Most teachers and administrators have a personnel profile with their school board. Be prepared to be proactive in adding your P.D. to that file. That could include books you have read and magazines you subscribe to. At least once a year you should add to your profile and keep duplicate copies at home. Your reputation as a “professional” among professionals can only be enhanced.

It is a minor inconvenience to have your school secretary or supervisor makes an addition to your file once a year. You may also be surprised at just how much you have done in the year and accumulatively over time. If you are impressed with what you have accomplished others will be too.
Invest now in your personal and professional development.

**********
Paul Jackson is a retired elementary school teacher and Principal, co-author of How to Thrive and Survive in Your Classroom, and author of many eBooks for educators and entrepreneurs. In particular he has an interest in helping educators produce eBooks that share their expertise with fellow educators. You can contact Paul at http://www.ebooksforeducators.com or http://www.ebookauthoringservices.com .
—————–
End Article
—————–

I couldn’t agree more…take control of your own professional development. Remember, professional development is really your responsibility. Now that my summer is at the half-way point, I know it’s time for me to get back into professional development as well.

Best Wishes,
Adam Waxler

P.S. Remember, to get the whole story about Paul and Marjan’s teleseminar visit: http://teaching.telesem.hop.clickbank.net

Share