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Autonomy, mastery, and purpose are the three key indicators of how fulfilled people are in an endeavor. The matrix is usually applied to job satisfaction. The ability to make decisions (thousands a day, big and small), confidence navigating the unknown, and a connection to the greater good are, likewise, characteristics of great educators. Autonomy, mastery, and purpose. It is, thus, with these ideas in mind that we approach our district-wide professional development day tomorrow.
All district staff will gather at Woodside High School, which is, arguably, our district’s second most beautiful high school campus. Many will arrive via electric bus from our district’s newly acquired fleet. Over the past few weeks, staff has had the opportunity to review and select from a range of sessions in both the morning and afternoon – much in the same way one would if attending a large conference. Minus the vendor hall and sponsored cocktail hour.
Sessions align with our district’s instructional vision, in which we aspire to foster consistent excellence in student outcomes across race, gender, home language, and socioeconomic status, creating healthy communities where all members thrive. The heart of this vision lies in relationships and belonging. The pillars of this vision elevate our commitment to (1) maintaining standards-aligned academic rigor, (2) approaches to teaching and learning which center students and draw on their assets, and (3) an emphasis on discourse as a vehicle of empowerment and mastery.
Some of the sessions teachers have available to them on Monday include:
- “Scaffolding Safe and Constructive Conversations on Difficult Topics in the Classroom”
- “Making Your Own Video Lessons | Reimagine instructional time by creating quality instructional videos with Adobe Premiere Rush”
- “Using Escape Rooms for Engagement in the ELA and Social Studies Classroom”
74 total sessions are available to staff to choose from on Monday. Like any great conference (or music festival), one often finds oneself having to make tough decisions. At Sequoia, teachers frequently select their courses strategically in collaboration with their course-alike or department colleagues. This way, they cover more ground and are able to share relevant findings. If only it worked this way at Outside Lands.
Most courses are taught by district teachers, including many from Sequoia. Preparations for this event begin months in advance to ensure not only a high-quality experience for over 800 attendees, but also coherence in vision. Regardless of which sessions a staff member selects, they are going to connect the specific topics or subject areas with common elements of high-quality teaching, grounded in research and geared towards our community. Our professional development and curriculum team is robust.
Monday’s event is also a cherished opportunity to connect with colleagues. A book exchange for Black History Month has been organized, we’ll be able to send candy-grams, and I’ve come to expect hugs and laughter around every corner as I try to navigate the unfamiliar Woodside campus. There’s even the promise, weather permitting, of a lunchtime cornhole tournament. My money is on Mr. Uhalde.
Autonomy, mastery, and purpose. Let’s throw “joy” in there for good measure. Have a great week!
Best,
Sean
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